Food People, Parent Picks: Amy's Favorite Things
From challah tips to cookie trays and kid-approved Hanukkah reads, Amy’s picks are as warm and joyful as her recipes
Food People, Parent Picks: we ask our favorite chefs, food writers, and industry insiders who we interview in our Order Up! Series to share the products, books, and bites they can’t live without.
Small Bites:
Sweet Noshings: New Twists on Traditional Jewish Desserts by Amy Kritzer Becker. No matter your religion, you’ll enjoy these tasty recipes.
Chef and creator Amy Kritzer Becker of What Jew Wanna Eat is also the heart behind ModernTribe — your one-stop shop for Jewish gifts, clever Hanukkah décor, and meaningful Judaica with a playful twist. 👉 Shop ModernTribe.com
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If you loved Amy Kritzer Becker’s Order Up! interview, where she shared her journey from cooking with her Bubbe Eleanor to bringing Jewish food traditions into the modern kitchen, you’ll be excited to peek inside her pantry and hear about the tools, treats, and kitchen hacks she actually uses every day.
The mom, recipe developer, writer, and creator of What Jew Wanna Eat knows that great food is about more than flavor—it’s about family, tradition, and a little bit of fun. In this rapid-fire Q&A, Amy shares her go-to mini food chopper (her husband’s favorite, now a kitchen staple), a shortbread cookie recipe that always delights, and her top tips for braiding challah like a pro. She also gives a peek at her favorite kid-friendly Hanukkah books, pantry must-haves like active yeast, and the kitchen gifts she loves giving—and receiving.
Amy’s picks are a mix of practical, playful, and rooted in family tradition, just like her approach to Jewish cooking: full of warmth, humor, and a healthy dose of chutzpah.
What’s one baking tool you can’t live without?
My mini food chopper! It’s the best under-$20 tool out there. I use it constantly, for chopping nuts, making a quick glaze, blending dressings, or even mincing garlic. Honestly, my husband introduced me to it, and now we have two because we use them so often. I also love a bench scraper—it’s great for cleaning up dough or transferring chopped ingredients to the pan. And, of course, a good sharp chef’s knife. I’ve taught cooking classes where people are afraid of big knives, but once you learn how to use one properly, it’s life-changing in the kitchen.
What’s one pantry staple you always keep stocked?
Active yeast! It’s not something everyone keeps around, but since I bake a lot, it’s a must for me. I keep it right next to the flour and sugar—ready for whenever the baking inspiration hits.
Do you have a favorite cookbook (besides your own)?
I love Molly on the Range by Molly Yeh [Bookshop, Amazon]. Her recipes are approachable and fun, and she’s just such a kind, generous person who cheers on other creators. I was literally making her yogurt pita bread today—so she’s top of mind!
What’s your best challah-braiding tip?
Patience! When you roll out your strands, the gluten tends to spring back, so let the dough rest for a few minutes before rolling again. I usually do a six-strand braid, it’s my favorite because it looks so pretty. I also taper the ends slightly so they braid neatly together. And if your dough feels sticky, dust it lightly with flour as you braid; it should be just tacky enough to hold its shape.
When you want something sweet but simple, what’s your go-to dessert?
Shortbread cookies. They’re buttery, easy, and such a crowd-pleaser. You can make the dough ahead of time, chill it, and just slice and bake as needed. My mom loves them too—we’re definitely a cookie family. We make trays of cookies for the holidays instead of big layer cakes. Plus, you can sneak one early to “make sure they’re edible for guests,” which is obviously very important.
What are your favorite kitchen or food gifts for the holidays?
Tea towels are my go-to gift. They’re fun, affordable, and everyone uses them! We have a “Jewish Foods” tea towel that’s a bestseller, and another one that says “They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat”—people either laugh or buy five. I also love Spode’s Judaica pieces and home goods from The Nosh Table and Ariel Zorger—she makes beautiful, handmade items. For food gifts, I love giving homemade cookies or DIY baking kits with all the ingredients for one recipe in a jar. It’s thoughtful and useful. And for something store-bought? I’ll never turn down a Harry & David pear box or those adorable paint-your-own marzipan hamsas from Marzipops.
What’s a recipe from your Bubbie that every home cook should try at least once?
My fried pickle latkes! They’re inspired by my grandma’s classic latkes but with my own twist. They went totally viral—Drew Barrymore even shared them on her show! They capture what I love most about cooking: taking tradition and having a little fun with it. Latkes are one of those recipes meant to be shared, which makes them extra special.
What’s always on your Friday night or Shabbat table, even if it’s store-bought?
Growing up, it was always roast chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Now, my daughter is a total carnivore, so we often have steak or brisket. But honestly, rotisserie chicken still has my heart. It’s easy, nostalgic, and delicious. I have fond memories of standing in the kitchen picking pieces off the bone before dinner.
Do you or your daughter have a favorite Hanukkah children’s book?
She loves books—our shelves are packed! Her favorites right now are Where Do Diggers Celebrate Hanukkah? (kids and trucks, an unstoppable combo) and Happy Hanukkah, Pups! from Paw Patrol. We’re not even a Paw Patrol family, but she loves the dogs. I also love I Like Your Chutzpah and Shabbat Shalom, both by Suzy Altman, beautifully illustrated and fun to read together. We even have a new book by Suzy Altman, “It’s a Mitzvah!” that’s really lovely. My daughter will say, “Let’s read the chutzpah book!”—it’s the cutest.
