Golden Gouda Za’atar Babka

Golden Gouda Za’atar Babka

1 1/2 pounds challah dough 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 large onion, thinly sliced 2/3 cup Boursin cheese or cream cheese 4 Tbsp za’atar, divided 1 cup freshly grated Gouda cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a round pie dish. In a large skillet, warm 1/4…

Moroccan Shabbat Fish

Moroccan Shabbat Fish

Serves: 6-8 Ingredients 22-3 pounds sea bass, halibut or salmon fillets 1/3 cup olive oil 1 large leek (or onion), thinly sliced 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, and green), sliced into long thin strips 4 large garlic cloves, grated or finely chopped 1 large handful fresh cilantro, roughly chopped 1-2 carrots, sliced into thin strips…

Harvest Veggie Soup

Harvest Veggie Soup

1 large butternut squash, cut into thin 2″ wedges 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped 8 oz. petite carrots, cut in half 2 medium turnips 2 onions, cut into wedges 1 leek, cut into thin rounds 8 large garlic cloves 8 Campari tomatoes, halved 6 sprigs fresh thyme 10 leaves fresh sage 2 Tbsp…

Copper Colored Dreams — A Hearty Harvest Veggie Soup

Copper Colored Dreams — A Hearty Harvest Veggie Soup

This hearty harvest veggie soup recipe includes my favorite cooking technique — roasting vegetables on a sheet pan. There’s an old Ladino saying, “Vinieron los huesos a su lugar,” which roughly translates to “Your bones have come back in their place.” It is a colloquial way of describing something that is restorative, to body and…

Eggplant Rolls Sauce

Eggplant Rolls Sauce

1/4 cup olive oil 2 onions, thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, grated or finely chopped 114 ounce can of tomato sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup water 1 large lemon, juiced Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until tender. Add the tomato sauce,…

Easy T’bit Recipe

Easy T’bit Recipe

1 whole chicken, washed and patted dry 2 cups basmati or jasmine rice 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 onions, finely chopped 4 tomatoes, chopped 6 garlic cloves, minced 2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp black pepper 2 tsp sweet paprika 1 tsp ground cardamom 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ginger powder 4 Tbsp…

Tradition in a Pot: T’bit Chicken and Rice

Tradition in a Pot: T’bit Chicken and Rice

This classic slow-roasted chicken and rice dish is most emblematic of the Babylonian kitchen. Years ago, when Sharon and I were part of the Sephardic Educational Center’s Young Professionals, a large group of us would meet every Shabbat at Kahal Joseph Congregation. After the services, David and Sue, Sharon’s parents, would host all the singles…

Nana Aziza’s M’hasha

Nana Aziza’s M’hasha

Stuffed Onions Tomato Broth 1 3/4 cup boiling water 2 Tbsp tomato paste 1 Tbsp Silan 1 tsp salt 1/4 cup lemon juice In a large measuring cup, dissolve the tomato paste, sugar, and salt in the boiling water. Add the lemon juice and stir to combine well. Set aside. 3 large white onions, peeled…

A Warm Hug in the Sukkah: Stuffed Onions

A Warm Hug in the Sukkah: Stuffed Onions

On Sukkot, there is a tradition of eating stuffed foods from vegetables to pastries. These cooler, amber-infused days of autumn lend themselves perfectly to the outdoor festival of Chag ha’Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). This holiday, a reminder of the Jewish people’s 40 years of wandering in the desert, symbolizes the temporary nature of life. Just…

Sponge Cake

Sponge Cake

7 egg whites 5 egg yolks 11/2 cups sugar, divided 1/4 tsp cream of tartar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 Tbsp orange or lemon zest 3/4 cup of orange juice or water 2 1/4 cups plain flour 3 Tbsp baking powder Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease the bottom and sides of…

TOMATO & CHICKEN RICE SOUP

TOMATO & CHICKEN RICE SOUP

SERVES 4 TO 6 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES 1⁄2 chicken (11⁄2 to 2 pounds), cut into pieces Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp neutral oil 1 yellow onion, finely chopped 1⁄2 tsp paprika 1⁄8 tsp ground turmeric 3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1⁄4 cup tomato paste 5 medium Roma tomatoes (1…

Moroccan Couscous

Moroccan Couscous

Moroccan Rosh Hashanah Couscous with T’fayaServes 8 Couscous 1 17oz box couscous, medium-grain (Not instant, if possible. Rivoire & Carret is the best.) 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tsp salt 4 cups hot chicken or vegetable broth (more might be needed) Place couscous in a large container that has a tight lid. Drizzle with olive…

Moroccan Fish Balls

Moroccan Fish Balls

1/4 cup olive oil 1 large onion, finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 15oz can of tomato purée 1 15oz can of cherry tomatoes or chopped tomatoes 2 tsp salt 1 tbsp sweet paprika 1 tsp hot paprika 1 tsp cumin 2 dried chilis 1/2 cup sliced…

Rustic Roast Chicken

Rustic Roast Chicken

13-4 lb chicken, cut into eight pieces. 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tbsp garlic powder 1 tbsp sweet paprika. 1 tbsp turmeric. 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning 8 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 shallots, finely chopped 1 large yellow onion, cut in wedges 1 lb rainbow, baby potatoes 2 large celery…

Keftes De Prassa

Keftes De Prassa

3 cups leeks, chopped 1 cup mashed potato 3 eggs 2 teaspoons consommé (optional) 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon White pepper 1 tablespoon matzah meal or potato starch Vegetable or peanut oil, for frying Wash and clean leeks thoroughly. Chop leeks (I use food processor with slicing blade) Cook leeks in boiling salted water. Drain…

Baklava Recipe

Baklava Recipe

Syrup: 1 cup honey, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 2 pieces lemon peel Filling: 1 cup almonds, 1 cup pistachios, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup toasted sesame seeds, 2 tsp cinnamon Dough: 1 box frozen phyllo dough, ½ cup avocado oil for brushing Garnish: ¼ cup chopped pistachios Preheat oven to 400°F & grease…

SIMANIM SOUP RECIPE

SIMANIM SOUP RECIPE

Sopa de Roshashana Meat: 12 3-4 lb cheek meat ¼ cup olive oil One large onion finely diced 2 bay leaves 1 tsp salt ½ tsp white pepper Pinch of saffron (optional) 1 cup water Soup: ¼ cup olive oil 4 leeks, washed thoroughly and sliced thinly 1 bunch Swiss Chard, with stem removed and…