Hello Again… Welcome to What’s Up with Wendi?

If you’ve been here before, you may notice that things look a little different around here.

And if you’re new here… Hi! I’m Wendi. I’m so glad you’re here.

For a while, this little corner of the internet was called Kitchen Time with Wendi. And while I still absolutely love being in the kitchen, I realized that there was so much more I wanted to share.

Because the truth is, my world is about a lot more than what’s happening in my kitchen.

So… welcome to What’s Up with Wendi?

So, What Is Up with Wendi?

Well… a little bit of everything.

I’m someone who loves to create, explore, cook, travel, listen to music, build LEGO, experience new things, and occasionally get lost in my own thoughts.

Music, in particular, has always been a big part of my life. There’s something about putting on the right song at exactly the right moment that can change your entire mood. Sometimes music is my background noise. Sometimes it’s my inspiration. And sometimes a song comes on and suddenly I’m thinking about life, memories, people, and everything in between.

Those are the moments I want to share here.

The thoughts that pop into my head while I’m driving.

The song I can’t stop playing.

Something delicious I made in the kitchen.

A place I visited that made me smile.

A Disney memory.

A LEGO project that I probably didn’t need but absolutely wanted.

A random observation about life.

Maybe even a story that I’ve never thought to tell before.

Basically… whatever is up with Wendi.

From Kitchen Time to Everything Else

Kitchen Time with Wendi was where this journey started, and I’m not leaving that part of me behind.

There will still be recipes. There will still be Sunday sauce. There will still be stories that somehow begin with, “So I was in the kitchen…”

But now the kitchen is just one room in a much bigger house.

What’s Up with Wendi? is about opening the doors to all of it.

My interests. My adventures. My thoughts. My music. My memories. The things I’m learning. The things I’m enjoying. And maybe even the things I’m still figuring out.

I don’t have all the answers—and honestly, I don’t think I’m supposed to.

I’m just enjoying the journey.

My World. My Thoughts. My Soundtrack.

That’s really what this space is about.

There’s no particular formula here. No pressure to fit everything into one category.

Just me sharing the things that make me laugh, think, remember, create, and sometimes say, “I wonder if anyone else thinks about this?”

Maybe you’ll relate.

Maybe you’ll discover a new song.

Maybe you’ll get hungry.

Maybe I’ll convince you that making Sunday sauce is an all-day event worth celebrating.

Or maybe you’ll simply hang out here for a few minutes.

And that’s enough.

So, if you’ve been around since Kitchen Time with Wendi, thank you for coming along for the next chapter.

And if you’re just discovering me…

Welcome.

Grab a cup of tea, turn up the music, and let’s see where this takes us.

After all…

What’s Up with Wendi?

My world. My thoughts. My soundtrack.

And I’m just getting started. ❤️

Sweet Treats for Passover

With the Pesach (Passover) Seder just a few nights away, we thought we would start prepping our menu and cooking/baking. Started with an easy, yet messy, no bake recipe, Matzah Icebox Cake. Really fun, quite sweet w/ a little crunch and a delicious dessert to wrap up your meal…

Lay out your Matzah

Mix up your favorite chocolate chips w/ coconut oil. Stir until you get a silky, smooth chocolate spread.

Mix your heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar until you get a light, fluffy, white spread. This creates the layers for your cake.

Assemble your layers (this is the messy part, yet so much fun). Spread whipped cream on one side of a piece of chocolate-covered matzo and place it in the loaf pan. Repeat this layering process, using about 2/3 of the whipped cream for the layers, saving the rest for topping later.

Freeze for 6 hours. Serve and Enjoy!

If only mine looked this gorgeous…
Matzah Icebox Cake Recipe

Cookies & Cocktails #2

A chocolate cookie shot and two fun & yummy ways to use those Thanksgiving leftovers…

Yummy in the making! Cheers & bon Appe’tit
Ingredients for a Chocolate Cookie shot!

1 shot of Biscotti Liquor, 1 shot of Irish Cream, pour over ice and stir. Pour into 2 shot glasses, cheers and enjoy! 🥂

All those thanksgiving leftovers can be put to great use for further enjoyment…

Cookies & Cocktails #1

Mama’s Famous Cookies!

Join us throughout this festival season for some of our favorite recipes, from cookies to cocktails and everything in between!

Cheers & Bon Appe’tit!

Food at the Heart of Family & Tradition

Growing up Jewish, mealtimes weren’t just about eating—they were the heartbeat of our family, the centerpiece of every gathering, and the backdrop to our most cherished memories. Whether it was the aroma of freshly baked challah filling the house on a Friday night or the careful preparation of dishes passed down for generations, food was never just food. It was a connection to our past, a celebration of our culture, and a way to bring everyone together.

From holiday feasts to everyday dinners filled with laughter (and plenty of debate), every meal carried meaning. In our home, the table was more than just a place to eat—it was where stories were shared, traditions were kept alive, and love was served in generous portions.

One of my favorite recipes that mom would bake was her Mandel Brodt and of course if there was a way to add chocolate, she would figure that out… I love that I have a handwritten recipe of hers as well as her cookbook (you can see this cookbook was well loved).

I cannot talk about food, my mom & traditions without mentioning Passover. Passover was always my favorite holiday. My mom would spend days pulling out the “special” dishes, planning the menu and of course hours & hours of cooking. Mom would invite everyone over for the Passover Seder. Friends and family would gather around multiple tables, coming together to share in this feast. I think everyone came for my mom’s specialty dish – fricassee (a slow-cooked chicken wings dish, gently simmered in a flavorful, velvety sweet sauce). For some reason, I enjoyed her chopped liver. There were all the traditional choices like matzah ball soup and of course my grandmother’s famous rolls. Mom would bake her amazing coconut, chocolate cake (yes, it was kosher for Passover) and there would be more desserts than the actual meal so there was never a shortage of food.

Fast forward to now… I married an Italian man who is a total foodie and loves to cook. We start every morning with a conversation about what we should make for dinner. We have our own traditions where every Sunday, we make a sauce. Aaaand we bake Mama’s (Dan’s grandmother) cookies so there is always a sweet treat nearby. We host most holiday meals (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas & Chanukkah) in our home. Even though family members may be gone, we keep them alive with their famous recipes, we share stories of shared memories and of course, the kitchen is always at the heart of it all.

What are some of your special food traditions?

Bubbles & Boards!

As I have become more of a foodie, I have become more open to trying new flavors and combinations. One of my favorite combos has become charcuterie boards and champagne (champs, pronounced shamps for short).

A charcuterie board is a delicious masterpiece on a platter—a mix of savory meats, creamy cheeses, crisp crackers, and bursts of sweet and tangy goodness from fruits, nuts, and jams. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure of flavors that turns snacking into an art form. Whether you keep it classic or get creative, charcuterie is always a little fancy, a lot of fun, and perfect for sharing!

Speaking of fancy… Champagne is pure celebration in a glass—light, bubbly, and effortlessly elegant. Each sip is a tiny explosion of crisp, refreshing joy, making even the simplest moments feel like an occasion. Whether you’re toasting to something big or just adding a little sparkle to the day, champagne is always the answer. Pop, fizz, cheers!

One of my favorite memories is a welcome to the neighborhood party, hosted by Dan (my amazing hubby) as I officially moved in with him. He invited our closest friends, our welcoming neighbors and created this amazing charcuterie spread. Talk about the perfect mix of fun and fancy—endless combinations of flavors, textures, and creativity.

Aaaaand you know what goes great with this gorgeous spread? Some bubbles!!!

“Cue the Veuve.”

I discovered this beautiful bottle with some friends and haven’t looked back since. Needless to say, Veuve has become my favorite champagne for every celebration. From a gathering of friends to Sunday morning mimosas, “life gives us endless reasons to celebrate—we just have to pop the cork!”

I think of effortless elegance, a perfect pairing of savory and bubbly, and a celebration on a board! It’s the ultimate mix of class and creativity—where rich cheeses, cured meats, and fresh bites meet crisp, sparkling sips. It’s a little fancy, a lot of fun, and always a good time!

Sweet, Savory, and Oh-So-Easy: Tomato Confit

Today, I’m excited to share one of my absolute favorite recipes—Tomato Confit! There’s something magical about slow-roasting tomatoes until they’re bursting with rich, sweet, and savory flavors. Whether you spread them on toast, toss them with pasta, or use them as a topping, this recipe is a game-changer. Get ready for a simple yet delicious way to bring out the best in tomatoes! I love them with a chicken cutlet, covered in burrata topped with Tomato Confit. Bon Appetit!

Comment with how you would enjoy this amazing treat.

5 Easy Cooking Tips for Beginners

“Every great cook starts somewhere, and that often includes a few kitchen blunders! From mistaking salt for sugar to setting off the smoke alarm with an ambitious new recipe, we’ve all been there. The key is to laugh, learn, and keep cooking—because every mistake is just another step toward mastering the kitchen!”

Cooking can seem intimidating at first, but with a few simple techniques, anyone can become confident in the kitchen. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, these five easy cooking tips will set you up for success!

1. Read the Recipe First

Before you start cooking, take a moment to read the entire recipe from start to finish. This helps you understand the steps, gather all necessary ingredients, and avoid surprises midway through the process.

2. Keep Your Knives Sharp

A sharp knife is safer and more effective than a dull one. Dull knives require more force, increasing the risk of slipping and cutting yourself. Invest in a good-quality chef’s knife and learn how to maintain its sharpness.

3. Use the Right Heat Level

Not all cooking requires high heat! Use low to medium heat for simmering sauces, cooking eggs, or softening vegetables. High heat is great for searing meats but can easily burn delicate ingredients. Learning when to adjust the heat is key to great cooking.

4. Taste as You Go

One of the secrets to great cooking is tasting your food throughout the process. This allows you to adjust seasonings, ensuring the perfect balance of flavors before serving.

5. Clean as You Cook

Keeping your workspace tidy makes cooking more enjoyable and less overwhelming. Wash dishes, wipe counters, and put away ingredients as you go to avoid a mountain of cleanup at the end.

By following these simple tips, you’ll gain confidence and efficiency in the kitchen. Remember, cooking is a skill that improves with practice—so have fun and enjoy the process!

Do you have a favorite beginner-friendly cooking tip? Share it in the comments below!