Sundays with Marlena Spieler

When we started on this culinary journey, We knew we had Marlena Spieler’s blessings, but did not imagine her aunt to also be a part of this wonderful project. Estelle Opper is a fun lady to hang out with. What was going to be a day with Estelle, ended up being a day with Estelle Opper, Marlena Spieler, Chris Macias and Autumn Cruz from the Sacramento Bee along and of course Mel, Dave, his parents, Eileen , Jen, Phil & us. Yes, it was a party with all of us cooking a few dishes from Marlena’s cookbook and to learn the matzo ball making from the pro!

We got to the meet the author in person for the first time. Marlena can talk food for hours and can give you a hundred variations for each recipe. And Estelle advised us on the right kind of ingredients to buy to make the soup. She uses the Matzo Ball Mix by Manischewitz Company.

Matzo Ball recipe that Estelle follows

Chris and Autumn patiently watched all of us go from the matzo ball making to talking to Marlena and sharing our cooking stories. Thanks guys!

Mel made Holishkes, Dave baked some kickass challah and pumpernickel bread, Eileen made Pepper salad and Polish apple cake, we made Vegetarian chopped liver, Mandelbrot and Sephardi Chicken rice. Mel & Dave played the perfect host with a whole lot of other sides . All in all a fun party. Like this was not enough we partied again the next week in the pretext an Indian Potluck at our home. Everyone dressed up in sarees and it was just a blast. Such warm memories and all this thanks to food that brings people of different
cultures together.

Thanks Mel for starting this project and a  big thanks to Marlena & Estelle for coming over and making it more fun than we could have ever imagined. Go on read what Mel and Eileen have to say. Don’t forget to read the food & wine section of the Sacramento Bee! as well. Thanks to all you for your friendship and support.