Cooking with PJ Library

With busy back-to-school schedules and the Jewish holidays just around the corner, we are here for you!

We sent quick and easy recipes inspired by autumn Jewish holidays to families along with September books. We're posting all of these easy, kid-approved, recipes here on our blog so that you can easily share them with family and friends. We also totally understand if your original recipe cards got a little messy while you were making those delicious sticky honey drumsticks. And thanks to Los Angeles PJ Library Connector Jennifer Stempel, aka the Cuban Reuben, for these great recipes.

Sharing your photos and comments with us on Facebook.

Download a PDF of all four recipes

Apples and Honey Breakfast Cookie Pops

Apples and honey are messy! Make these ahead of time to grab and go on busy mornings.

Ingredients:

2 cups quick oats
1 ripe banana
1 cup almond or sunflower butter
¼ cup apple butter
¼ cup honey
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup raisins
¾ cup dried apples, diced
½ cup shelled roasted pumpkin seeds
¼ cup ground flaxseed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional glaze:

1 ounce cream cheese, softened
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
3 ½ tablespoons powdered sugar
2 ½ teaspoons lemon juice

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine all cookie ingredients using a mixer until well-blended.
On a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, place golf ball-sized scoops. Use hands to flatten.
Push a stick into each cookie from the bottom until it nearly reaches the top.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until edges are slightly browned.
Let cool on baking sheet.
To make glaze, mix together cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar.
Add lemon juice ½ teaspoon at a time, until glaze is liquid but not runny.
Drizzle glaze over completely cooled cookies.

Note: if using wooden sticks, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before baking. No sticks? You’ve got bars!

View recipe card

Caramelized Onion and Butternut Squash Dip

A crowd pleaser at a party in a sukkah or a spread on a sandwich for a quick lunch.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium sweet onions, diced
1½ cups diced and peeled butternut squash
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
1½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
1½ cups sour cream
¾ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped
Shelled and roasted pumpkin seeds for garnish (optional)

Preparation:

In a large sauté pan, add olive oil, onions, squash, and garlic.
Stir to combine. Cook over medium heat until lightly browned and softened, about 20 minutes.
Add 1 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
Set aside to cool.
Once mixture is cooled, mash butternut squash with the back of a wooden spoon.
In a large bowl, combine the mixture with the rest of the ingredients.
Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve in a hollowed-out pumpkin or other squash.
Top with pumpkin seeds. Goes well with fresh vegetables, chips, or pita.

View recipe card

Harvest Veggie roll Up

Highlight the natural sweetness in vegetables by roasting them.

Ingredients:

Spread:

1 small red onion
2 medium zucchini
1 red bell pepper
1 small eggplant
1 ½ cups peeled butternut squash
8 ounces mushrooms
5 cloves minced garlic
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning

Roll:

Tortillas
Romaine lettuce
Deli turkey (optional)
Sliced tomatoes

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Dice all veggies to equal-size pieces.
On a foiled and greased sheet pan, combine all spread ingredients. Toss to coat vegetables with oil.
Roast in oven for 40-50 minutes, stirring vegetables halfway through to lift any pieces that stick to the pan.
Once vegetables are cooked through and slightly brown, remove from oven.
When vegetables are cool, spoon into a food processor and grind until a paste forms.
To assemble the rolls, spread about 2 tablespoons of paste on a tortilla. Layer the turkey (optional), lettuce, and tomatoes. Roll as tightly as possible. Secure with toothpicks along the seam.
Slice the roll between each toothpick to serve.

View recipe card

Sticky Honey Drumsticks

Great with white rice or your favourite High Holiday side dish.

Ingredients:

½ cup honey
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1 large navel orange, zested and juiced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
2 pounds chicken legs

Preparation:

In medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the chicken.
Whisk until combined. Pour half the mixture into a gallon-sized plastic zip bag, reserving the rest for later use.
Add chicken legs to the plastic bag, seal, and massage the marinade into the chicken.
Refrigerate at least 30 minutes (longer is better).
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Place chicken legs on a foiled and greased sheet pan with plenty of space between pieces. Throw away the bag and any remaining liquid from the bag.
Bake chicken 25 minutes. Brush both sides with reserved sauce and flip. Continue cooking 20 minutes.

View recipe card