For the Jews of the Ottoman Empire, one of the most classic comfort foods has always been “keftes de carne con arroz” (fried breaded meat balls with Spanish red rice). My husband Neil spent his childhood years at the old Sephardic Hebrew Center in Ladera Heights, home to the last Rhodesli synagogue in Los Angeles….
Ruby Red Kubbah For the filling1 pound ground beef1/2 cup finely chopped Italian parsley1 medium onion, grated2 teaspoons baharat1 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon pepper For the dough1 cup farina1 cup semolina1 cup warm water1 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon pepper Sweet and Sour Beet Soup 3 tablespoons olive oil1 large onion, diced8 stalks celery, chopped8 medium…
Ka’ak is a primal memory for me. Ka’ak is a primal memory for me. My grandmother Nana Aziza always, always had a supply of crispy, salty ka’ak in her home. And she always served it as an afternoon treat with a glass of her cardamom infused black tea. As a little girl, I loved sitting in…
4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour1 tablespoon sea salt1/2 cup avocado or vegetable oil1 sachet of active dry yeast1 cup water2 tablespoons sesame seeds2 tablespoons fennel seeds Preheat oven to 350°FSift the flour into a large bowl, then make a well in the middle of the flour.Add the salt, oil, yeast, water, sesame seeds and fennel…
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed1 Tbsp baharat spice or ground cinnamon1 tsp sweet paprika2 tsp brown sugar1 tsp granulated garlic powder1 tsp kosher salt1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper or ground black pepper2 Tbsp avocado oil3 leeks, finely sliced1 large apple, cubed2 tsp ground cinnamon3 bay leaves1 Tbsp consommé powder dissolved into 2 cups…
This week Sharon and I offer our amazing roasted butternut squash soup garnished with a crispy, spicy granola. Before I was a homemaker and a Sephardic Spice Girl, I was in the fashion retail business. I had a store on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. I loved it. I loved buying the clothes…
Caramel Sauce 1 ½ cups dark brown sugar ½ cup coconut cream (only the cream, no liquid) 1/4 cup vegan butter, at room temperature 1 Tbsp vanilla extract Pinch salt In a small saucepan, warm the sugar, cream, butter, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a low boil and…
The cake is lightly sweet, with the citrusy orange rind pairing perfectly with the dates. I often think that I was born with a date in my mouth, because soft, plump and dark Medjool dates are so abundant in Morocco! Prized for their rich caramelized flavor, dates are served at weddings and to welcome royalty. …
Get some fresh pita, dips (hummus, tehina, matbucha), olives and pickles, fresh herbs like basil, crunchy radishes. Boil some eggs over low heat for a few hours. Roast some eggplant and butternut. Arrange everything on a board. Serve with an Israeli salad 🥗 and an amba aioli for an amazing, healthy, delicious vegetarian lunch. 🪬B’te’avon!
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided14 oz shiitake mushrooms, sliced14 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced14 oz oyster mushrooms, broken into smaller chunks2 shallots, peeled and finely diced2 celery stalks, chopped3 medium heirloom carrots, peeled and chopped2 tsp sweet paprika1 tsp salt1 tsp Aleppo pepper3 bay leaves3 Tbsp tomato paste1 cup red wine3 cups warm chicken stock3…
Tfiya1 cup raisins1/4 cup orange juice1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil4 large onions, thinly sliced1/2 cup honey1 cinnamon stick or 1 tsp cinnamon1/2 tsp ground ginger1/4 tsp salt1/2 cup waterZest of one orange In a medium bowl, soak the raisins in the orange juice for 15 minutes. In a large pot, warm the oil over medium…
With its unique blend of honey, ginger and cinnamon, tfaya is the perfect topping for this turkey season. Can you believe there are people who don’t celebrate Thanksgiving? I love Thanksgiving and I’ve been a fan since my family arrived here from Morocco in October 1973. My family had never heard of this holiday but…
6 cups water1/4 cup soy sauce1/4 cup sesame oil2 tablespoons consommé powder1 teaspoon salt4 tablespoons miso paste6 large garlic cloves, chopped1 large onion, thinly sliced1 lb shiitake mushrooms, sliced1 lb cremini mushrooms, sliced1 pack beech mushrooms1 package soft tofu, drained and diced into small squares4 stalks chopped green onion, for garnish In a large pot,…
Dressing:1/4 cup extra virgin oil1/4 cup red wine vinegar1 tsp Aleppo pepper1 tsp sumac1 tsp garlic powder1 tsp salt Whisk together all the ingredients in a small jar and set aside. Salad1 cup quinoa1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided1 lb delicata squash, washed and cut into thin strips1 tsp brown sugar1/2 lb shaved Brussels…
This delicata squash and quinoa salad is our way of embracing the season with a recipe that has all the fall feels. Last Shabbat, my son Sam, my daughter-in-law Estrella and my adorable baby granddaughter Raquel, slept over. Sam invited two high school friends, their sweet wives and sweet three-month-old babies to join us for…
Nut Blend1 cup of coarsely ground almonds and walnuts1/2 cup sugar1 Tbsp finely ground cardamom or cinnamon 3 large eggs, at room temperature1 cup sugar3/4 cup avocado or vegetable oil1 1/2 cups all purpose flour1 Tbsp baking powder3/4 cup water or milk Preheat oven to 350°F.Grease a 9-inch round cake tinBeat the eggs and sugar…
Dressing1/3 cup soy sauce1/4 cup rice vinegar1/4 cup sesame oil1/4 cup honey2 tsp harissa4 large garlic cloves, crushed In a bowl or jar, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, harissa and crushed garlic. Set aside. 1 lb spaghetti or capellini noodles2 Tbsp baking soda3 Tbsp sesame seeds4 stalks green scallions, finely chopped…
Harissa is a hot, spicy, aromatic chili pepper paste that is indispensable in the North African kitchen. Many, many years ago, a tiny little woman called Trinh Le changed my life. The first time, I was picking up my grandparents from her home after their acupuncture appointment. She took one look at me and said…
Meat Filling 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, finely diced 2 garlic cloves, finely minced1 lb ground beef 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander1 tsp cinnamon1 tsp sweet paprika1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper1/3 cup currants or raisins, roughly chopped1/3 cup pine nuts 1 cup tomato purée 1/4 cup water PASTRY 12-16 sheets phyllo pastry 1/3…
Whether you call it babka, “ugat sh’marim” or by its modern Israeli name “crunch,” this is a truly easy and brilliant dessert for busy Jewish cooks the world over. It was Israel in the 1970’s. I was nine years old and we were visiting my maternal grandparents, as well as my many aunts and uncles…
Filling1/2 cup brown sugar1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon1 tbsp ground cardamom2 tsp vanilla extract1 pinch salt1/3 cup pareve butterZest of 1 whole orange 1/2 cup crushed walnuts In a bowl combine the sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla extract, and salt. Add in the butter and orange zest and combine to form a paste. Add walnuts and mix….
