The Other Pie Crust Toppings aren’t the only versatile part of the pizza. By JUDY ZEIDLER, Special to The Times Pizza is described in one dictionary as a “baked, open-faced pie consisting of a thin layer of dough topped with tomato sauce and cheese.” In which century was that written? Somebody has to tell them about Thai barbecue chicken. By now everyone knows that pizza is infinitely flexible, adapting to…

Add a bountiful dessert table to your Thanksgiving feast Pumpkin Date Nut Bread. Photos by Dan Kacvinski Thanksgiving dinner calls to mind roast turkey with stuffing and gravy, sweet potatoes, rolls and cranberries. But the holiday meal wouldn’t be the same without a variety of pies and pumpkin desserts. My friend, chef Michel Richard, who started his career as a pastry chef, was once asked if dessert is necessary. “I…

A selection of Judy Zeidler’s Mandelbrot. Photo by Lynn Pelkey Tu B’Shevat, known as the Jewish celebration of trees, falls on Jan. 25 this year, in the middle of winter, and marks the time when barren fruit trees begin to spring back to life. It is customary to eat several kinds of fruits and nuts during the holiday, and over the years it has become a custom to serve an…

Passover Meringues. Photo by Judy Zeidler Passover is our favorite family holiday — last year we hosted nearly 40 people at our house. It’s also one of the most complicated. The seder begins at sundown, but the formal dinner won’t begin until we finish reading the haggadah, which is usually late in the evening. Fortunately, small bites are served as part of the seder that help keep the guests from suffering…

When I was growing up in Los Angeles, Rosh Hashanah dinner always meant that my mother spent several days shopping and cooking. But with the current popularity of vegetable-centric menus and plenty of local farmers markets, I’m able to prepare fresh, vegetable-based holiday meals for my family in much less time.  This year the holiday begins on the evening of Sept. 24. Start your Rosh Hashanah meal with the age-old…