30-50 grape leaves, fresh or store bought Base:4 large Roma tomatoes, sliced into rounds2 lemons with rind, sliced into rounds6-8 garlic cloves, sliced Filling:2 cups of basmati rice, soaked for 10 minutes, rinsed and drained3 medium onions, finely chopped1 large bunch mint1 large bunch Italian parsley2 medium lemons, peeled, seeded and chopped2 cups roasted pine…
Grapevine leaves are the perfect festive food. A food that requires the luxury of time. The preparation, research and publication of this article was made possible by a grant from the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture. My grandmother Nana Aziza had a generous heart and a nurturing spirit. She lived her life recreating the warmth and beauty of her…
(gluten free)YIELD 8-10 servings INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup olive oil 2 large onions, thinly sliced 3-4 celery stalks, sliced 2 large carrots, halved and sliced 1 large sweet potato, cubed 4 cups butternut squash, cubed 1 large potato, cubed 1 tablespoon fresh grated turmeric, or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon black…
7 egg whites5 egg yolks1 1/2 cups sugar, divided1/4 tsp cream of tartar1 tsp vanilla extract1/2 cup vegetable oil1 Tbsp orange or lemon zest3/4 cup of orange juice or water2 1/4 cups plain flour3 Tbsp baking powder Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease the bottom and sides of the tube pan. Do not grease the middle tube….
Soft and fluffy, light and airy, there’s something special about sponge cakes. They bring back feelings of home and memories from a time long gone. Soft and fluffy, light and airy, there’s something special about sponge cakes. They bring back feelings of home and memories from a time long gone. A classic dessert, sponge cake…
Vinaigrette:1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil2 Tbsp honey1/3 cup red or white wine vinegar1 tsp garlic powderSalt and pepper In a small bowl or jar, whisk together honey and olive oil. Add vinegar, garlic powder and salt and pepper. Whisk until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Set aside Salad:1/2 medium purple cabbage, shredded2 large honeycrisp…
This red cabbage and fennel slaw has a truly festive feel, with its ingredient list of fresh pomegranate, crispy apple and nutty, earthy pistachios. They say hindsight is 20/20 and when I look back at my life, I’m amazed by all the people, famous and not so famous, I’ve met. In 1980’s Los Angeles, my…
10-12 small quinces 1 lemon, sliced 3-4 cups sugar Juice of 1 lemon Cinnamon stick or 2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional, to taste) 6 cloves (optional, to taste) 2 star anise (optional, to taste) Juice of a small lemon Wash quinces well, cut into slices, leaving skin on. Place in large bowl with cold water…
🐠Fish5 pounds white fish (salmon or combine 1/2 salmon 1/2 white fish)5 slices of lox(optional)One onion6 cloves garlic3 eggs1 teaspoon mace (optional)1 tablespoon salt1 teaspoon White pepper1/4cup lemon juice1/2 cup matzah meal1/2 cup finely minced parsley 🍅For poaching4oz can of tomato sauce1 teaspoon salt 🍋🍅Sauce1/4 cup olive oil1 onion finely chopped4 minced garlic cloves.1 red…
2 cups long grain rice1/4 cup avocado or olive oil1 14oz can tomato sauce1 1/2 cups water2 tsp salt1 14 oz can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed In a medium bowl, soak the rice in cold water for 15 minutes. Then rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Simmer the oil and tomato sauce in…
Marinade1/4 cup brown sugar2 tsp kosher salt1 tsp ground black pepper2 tsp granulated garlic powder2 tsp paprika1 tsp sumac1 tsp cinnamon1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil1 cup water Mix the sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, sumac, cinnamon and olive oil into a paste. Add water and stir until the paste has a uniform consistency….
Our sincerest wishes for a sweet, happy, healthy, and most peaceful New Year. About 15 years ago, I was on a visit to Israel and staying at my aunt Daisy’s home in Ramat Gan. On motzai Shabbat (Saturday night), there was a gentle knock at the door. I went to open the door with Shevy, my…
Okra season in Southern California comes from midsummer until October. (Luckily, frozen baby okra is available all year long.) The key to success is selecting smaller size okras that have less moisture content and fewer seeds. 1 pound fresh okra or 1 bag frozen baby okra, defrosted2 14oz cans cherry tomatoes2 garlic cloves, finely chopped1…
2 onions, peeled and diced2 lb ground beef5 tsp tomato saucea dash of cayenne pepper (or pepperflakes) and garlic powderSalt & Pepper to taste1/4 cup rice1 egg1/2 cup chopped parsley¼ cup water 1. Parboil rice. To do so, bring 3/4 cup water to a boil. Add 1/4 cup rinsed rice. Cook covered on stove approximately…
4 Tbsp active dry yeast4 1/2 cups warm water2 Tbsp sugar5 lbs high gluten bread flour1/2 cup sugar2 Tbsp salt3 large eggs1/4 cup honey1¼ cup vegetable oilEgg Wash1 egg and 1 Tbsp honey, beaten Combine yeast, warm water and sugar in a glass bowl. Cover with a towel and set aside to proof for 10…
May our homes always be filled with the sweet, fragrant aroma of freshly baked Challah. When my beloved grandmother Nana Aziza passed away, my grandfather Aba Naji was 90 years old. Although he was sad and bereft, he was determined to write his memoir. Every day, he and I sat with a hot cup of…
This cake is perfect for Rosh Hashanah and any special occasion. Writing this recipe made an old childhood memory pop up. I hadn’t thought about it in a million years. Perhaps it entered my consciousness because in a few weeks Beverly Hills High School will be hosting my 40th reunion. (I’m still undecided about going.)…
Streusel½ cup melted vegan butter1 cup firmly packed brown sugar½ cup all-purpose flour1 tablespoon cinnamon½ teaspoon cardamom (optional)1 large Granny Smith apple, chopped into cubes1 cup roughly chopped walnuts Melt butter in microwave for 20 seconds.Combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon, cardamom and melted butter. Then mix in apple and walnuts until well combined.Set aside. 5…
Spice Rub1 tsp cinnamon1 tsp paprika½ tsp cumin½ tsp salt½ tsp pepper 8-10 pieces of chicken, thighs and drumsticks, patted dry2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil4 onions, peeled and quartered6 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped2 bay leaves 2 Tbsp consommé1 cup water 2 Tbsp tomato purée2 Tbsp tamarind2 Tbsp…
Tamarind is an indispensable ingredient in the kitchen, lending dishes a sweet and sour complexity. When my children were little, the only way they would eat chicken was when I cooked it with a barbecue sauce. And they loved it when I would spoon the sweet mesquite flavored juices over the rice. Nowadays, on Friday…
Dressing2 limes, juiced2 tablespoon fruity extravirgin olive oil1 teaspoon sweet paprika1/2 teaspoon cumin or cumin seeds1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper1/2 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 cup chopped cilantro In a bowl, whisk the lime juice and olive oil, then add paprika, cumin,cayenne and salt.Set aside. 3 medium oranges, chilled in therefrigerator1/2 cup oil-cured dried black olives Peel oranges….
