Lamb Shank Tagine

Lamb Shank Tagine

Marinade:½ cup olive oil2 tsp salt2 Tbsp sweet paprika2 Tbsp turmeric1 tsp cumin1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated or gingerpowder8 cloves garlic, grated1 cup chopped cilantro Tagine:3-4 lamb shanks¼ cup olive oil1 large onion, grated½ cup golden raisins, divided½ cup whole pitted prunes½ cup whole dried apricots2 cinnamon sticks1 Tbsp turmeric1 Tbsp cinnamon powder1 big pinch…

ITALIAN ZUCCHINI FRITTERS

ITALIAN ZUCCHINI FRITTERS

3 medium zucchini1 large golden potato½ medium onion½ teaspoon sea salt1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper1 egg2 Tbsp potato starch½ teaspoon baking powder, optional1 Tbsp mixed herbs (sage, parsley, chives and thyme)Avocado or vegetable oil for frying  1. Grate zucchini, potato and onion using the large holes of a box grater and place in a…

Moroccan Olive Chicken

Moroccan Olive Chicken

Marinade 1 cup olive oil2 Tbsp sweet paprika1 Tbsp turmeric1 pinch saffron threads1 tsp ground ginger1 tsp cinnamon1 red onion, grated or finely chopped1 cup finely chopped Italian parsley1 cup finely chopped cilantro3 cloves garlic, finely chopped1 whole preserved lemon, roughly chopped1 spatchcocked chicken1 24 oz can pitted green olives in brine1 cup white wine1…

Tomato Cuajado 

Tomato Cuajado 

(tomato frittata)  4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided 3 medium Roma tomatoes, diced 2 14 oz cans diced tomatoes, strained 1 tsp sugar 6 large eggs 1 tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper 4 thick slices of challah (cut into bite size pieces) 1 8oz container feta cheese 1 cup grated parmesan cheese 1…

Ba’ba Tamar Recipe

Ba’ba Tamar Recipe

Date Filling 
2 cups date paste 
1/4 cup olive oil 
3 Tbsp water 
1/4 cup crushed walnuts 
Combine dates and olive oil, then add water and walnuts until mixture becomes a smooth paste. Set aside. Garnish 
3 eggs 
1 Tbsp honey 
1 Tbsp water 
1/2 cup sesame seeds
In a small bowl, beat together the eggs,…

SPINACH BOYOS

SPINACH BOYOS

Filling: 2 1/2 lbs. spinach, finely chopped 1 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/2 cup finely grated Romano or parmesan cheese 3 Tbsp flour Combine all the ingredients. Dough: 1 cup warm water 1 tsp yeast 1 tsp sugar 1 Tbsp vegetable or avocado oil 1 tsp salt 3-4 cups all-purpose flour 1 egg, beaten, for…

A Joyous Purim Feast

A Joyous Purim Feast

This year our Purim seudah will be a Sephardic desayuno, a dairy lunch that usually includes a variety of burekas, boyos, cheeses, cuajado (frittata), huevos haminados (overnight brown eggs), salads and dips. There’s an old Ladino adage Neil loves to quote every year around this time. It goes “Purim por un lado, Pesah en la…

Silan and Harissa Salmon

Silan and Harissa Salmon

2 tbsp organic silan (date syrup)1/3 cup sesame oil6 cloves garlic, crushed1 tbsp harissa1 tbsp sweet paprika1 tsp salt1/2 tsp ground black pepper1/3 cup avocado oil2 lb filet of wild salmon, skin on and cut into 8 pieces1 large orange, cut into thin half circles Preheat oven to 400°F.In a bowl, prepare the sauce by…

Beef Tagine Recipe

Beef Tagine Recipe

2 pounds beef stew meat1/4 cup olive oil1 large onion, finely chopped6 whole garlic cloves10 oz mushrooms, chopped1 large carrot, peeled and shredded1 tsp salt1 tbsp sweet paprika1/2 tbsp cumin1/2 tbsp turmeric1/2 tbsp Aleppo pepper1 cup water1 cup red wine16 oz cherry tomatoes1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped1/4 cup tamarind syrup (Real Deal Oot brand is…

An Orange Soup to Capture the Moment

An Orange Soup to Capture the Moment

This last week, orange made the biggest statement. Orange balloons, orange sweatshirts, orange ribbons and orange heart emojis symbolized our heartbreak, our pain, our sorrow. As a child of the 70’s, I remember orange as a predominant color. Alongside brown, avocado green, dark purple and golden yellow, burnt orange featured in clothing, automobiles and interior…

HARIRA MOROCCAN VEGETABLE SOUP

HARIRA MOROCCAN VEGETABLE SOUP

INGREDIENTS1/4 cup olive oil2 large onions, chopped2 teaspoons ground turmeric1 teaspoon ground cumin1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper2 teaspoons salt1 teaspoon harissa paste or 1 teaspoon red chile flakes4 celery stalks, chopped2 large carrots, peeled and chopped1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced4 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced1 large Yukon gold potato, diced2 large…

Cod Fishcakes

Cod Fishcakes

1 1/2 lbs fresh cod (or other firm white fish), cut into chunks 1 large carrot, chopped in chunks 1 medium onion, chopped in chunks 1 large Yukon gold potato 1 small bunch Italian parsley 1 small bunch cilantro Juice of half a lemon 1 large egg 1/3 cup potato starch 1 tsp salt 1/2…

Citrus and Fennel Salad

Citrus and Fennel Salad

1 pink grapefruit, sliced.1 blood orange, sliced2 tangerines, sliced2 Persian cucumbers, sliced diagonally1 fennel, shaved in a mandolin2 green scallions, sliced diagonallyFuzzy green fennel tops1 tsp sumac1/2 tsp black pepper1 tsp sea saltGenerous drizzle extra-virgin olive oilJuice of 1 lemon Arrange the citrus around the edges of a large plate. Layer the cucumbers in the…

Kubbah Hamusta

Kubbah Hamusta

For the dough 2 cups semolina or farina 1/4 lb ground beef 1 cup warm water 1 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp pepper 3/4 lb ground beef 1/2 cup finely chopped Italian parsley 1 small onion, grated 2 tsp baharat spice 1 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp pepper In a large bowl, combine the semolina,…

Dreaming of Kubbah Hamusta

Dreaming of Kubbah Hamusta

Kubbah is the jewel of the Babylonian Jewish kitchen. I was a Sabra, with an ancient Babylonian Jewish lineage, transplanted to the very British environs of the southern suburbs of Sydney, Australia. At Kirrawee Public School, I wore a light brown plaid school uniform. I attended the compulsory Church of England scripture class and took…

Crispy Saffron Roasted Chicken and Potatoes

Crispy Saffron Roasted Chicken and Potatoes

1 large onion, diced6 golden potatoes, washed and cubed2 medium white sweet potatoes, washed and cubed (optional)1 chicken, cut into 8-10 pieces1 head of garlic, top chopped off2 tablespoons herbes de Provence1 bottle beer1 large pinch saffron1 cup warm waterOlive oilSalt and pepper, top taste Preheat oven to 425°F.Place saffron in the warm water and…