An Enticing Podcast Celebrating Jewish Arts, Culture & History!
Our Latest Episode
Recovered Voices
I'm so glad to have you along for this episode of The Big Schmear. My guest today, Jeanne Golan, is not only a special friend but also a wonderful pianist. And it's because of her playing that I have invited her to be my guest. This episode is in commemoration of...

Beth Schenker, Host & Executive Producer
The Big Schmear conversations are with prominent chefs, musicians, authors, visual artists and more talking about their passion for Jewish life.
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Reach out anytime with comments, feedback and special requests to beth@thebigschmear.com.
Happy Listening!
Our Episodes
Jews & Thanksgiving
Guest: Dr. Beth S. Wenger I decided to push the envelope a bit on this Thanksgiving holiday episode. I knew everyone would be stressed with holiday plans, menus and figuring out ways to celebrate the holiday despite all the compromises to put in place to be safe. I...
Woops…Avoiding Missteps in the Kitchen
Guest: Chef Laura Frankel Talking about kitchen safety isn't the sexiest of topics but I thought it would be a great review for all of us as we embark on holiday cooking - whatever that's going to look like this year. I always have fun chatting with Chef Laura who...
What’s Cooking for YOU on Friday Night?
Guest: Aliza Kline, CEO OneTable This episode is all about Shabbat. OneTable is an amazing organization that provides resources for everything it takes to prepare your meal. Their website includes so much valuable information; recipes, ideas for meal themes, cool ways...
Jewhungry
Guest: Whitney Fisch We are in the midst of fall and Jewish holidays; my favorite time of year. I loved having a conversation with Whitney Fisch - she's all about Jewish food and family. Whitney has a great instagram account that you can follow, it always has lots of...
Will You Bee Ready for Apples and Honey?
Guest: Ted Dennard Founder, president and head beekeeper of Savannah Bee Company I love learning about bees. I think bees are amazing and I find their life's work nothing short of fascinating. With Rosh Hashanah coming up I finally had the perfect reason to get int...
A New Year, a New Beginning
Guest: Leah Koenig It was a treat to spend time with cookbook author Leah Koenig to talk about Rosh Hashanah meals and prep for this very different Rosh Hashana. Leah will even share a great roast chicken recipe with us. You can find out more about Leah @leahkoenig...
Think Pastrami on Rye, It’s National Deli Month!
Guest: Lara Rabinovitch It turns out August is National Deli month so ...find your favorite local deli and treat yourself to a bagel and SCHMEAR while supporting a very important cultural institution. No deli nearby? Many delis now ship overnight to just about...
The Great Big Jewish Food Fest!
Guest: Lisa Colton, Co-Executive Producer The Great Big Jewish Food Fest It's March, the start of the pandemic in the U.S. with lock-downs in most all major cities. Food and preparing meals for yourself, your family and those in your bubble become a...
Our Latest Recipes
Mixed Green Olive-Cannabis Schmear
3 cups Green Olives (Such as Castelvano olives & Cerignola pitted)3 Anchovy filets6 Garlic cloves (crushed)1 tbsp Cannabis infused olive oil *1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil1 Zest of lemon3 tbsp Freshly squeezed lemon juicepinch Crushed red chilies3 tbsp...
Chicken Soup with Potza Balls
Chicken Soup with Potza Balls 4 lbs chicken bones (wings, carcasses, necks, etc.)12 cups water (aprox)1 large spanish onion (chopped)3 large carrots (chopped)3 celery ribs (chopped)5 Parsley sprigs3 fresh thyme sprigs1 bay leaf1 whole clove1 tsp whole black...
Kasha Varnishkes-A Modernized Classic
Kasha Varnishkes-A Modernized Classic 2 cups bowtie pasta 1/2 oz dry porcini mushrooms (Don't skip this ingredient) 1/2 cup schmaltz or extra virgin olive oil (divided) 1 large yellow onion (diced) 1 large leek (sliced thinly) 1/2 lb cremini or button mushrooms...
M’sabacha (no-blend warm hummus)
M'sabacha (No-blend warm hummus) 1 cup dried chickpeas 1/4 tsp baking soda 1 garlic clove (optional) 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 cup tahini Olive Oil (to serve) chilies, pine nuts, cumin, paprika, sumac, cilantro (optional toppings) Tahini...
Salted Caramel Flan Cheesecake
Salted Caramel Flan Cheesecake 1 cup whole skinned almonds (toasted) 2 tbsp granulated sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp unsalted butter (melted) Flan Batter 3 8-oz packages cream cheese (room temperature) 14 oz sweetened condensed milk (divided) 1 large egg (room...
Extra Crispy Passover Chicken Cutlets
Extra Crispy Passover Chicken Cutlets 2 lbs skinless chicken breasts (cut into strips) 1 cup potato starch (aprox) 3 cups matzo meal 1 tbsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 1 tbsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 4 eggs vegetable oil for frying salt and pepper (to dust...
Mamaleh’s Chopped Liver
Mamaleh's Chopped Liver 1 lb chicken livers1/3 lb carmelized onions (a little burnt is OK!)3 hard boiled eggs2.5 oz Hellman's Mayonnaisesalt & pepper (to taste) Clean livers, always making sure to keep them cold. Toss with schmaltz (or canola oil) and salt &...
The Original Vegan Challah – Challah Hub Style
The Original Vegan Challah 1 cup warm water 1 pkt rapid rise yeast 3-4 cups flour 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 tsp salt 2 tbsp vegetable or coconut oil flour (extra flour for kneading and braiding) Egg Replacement Mixture 2 tsp baking powder 3 tbsp warm water 3 tbsp vegetable...