4 cups thawed frozen kataifi (shredded Phyllo pastry)4 tablespoons unsalted butter2 tablespoons sugar8 ounces fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced and at room temperature1/2 cup Saffron syrup1 cup chopped pistachios1/4 cup dried baby rosebuds, for garnish Place the kataifi in a bowl and gently separate the strands with your fingers. Melt butter in a cast-iron skillet over low heat….
Huevos haminados (overnight eggs) pair nicely with roasted eggplant, butternut, sweet potato and zucchini. Add some dips—chummus, tehina and matbucha. Add briny black olives and the most mouthwatering pickled turshi (cauliflower, green beans, carrots and red peppers pickled with curry, turmeric, vinegar, salt and a little sugar). Garnish with crispy radishes and fresh basil for…
2 1/2 cups brown or green lentils1 cup long or short grain rice1 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon white pepper1 bay leaf4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil5 onions, 3 finely chopped and 2 thinlysliced1 teaspoon cumin1 teaspoon sweet paprika Rinse lentils, strain and place in a large pot. Add 5 cups of water and bring mixture…
Lentils originated thousands of years ago in India, where they are still an important crop and an immensely popular source of protein. The first time that Alan and I took my son Ariel out for dinner, we went to Grill Express on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles. It was our favorite kosher Israeli restaurant. Just…
2 lbs branzino or sea bass fillets, cut into4-inch pieces1 tablespoon kosher salt1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil1 large leek, finely sliced6 garlic cloves, chopped1 orange pepper, chopped into long slivers10 ounces cherry tomatoes, cut in half1/2 cup white wine1 cup vegetable broth or water2 teaspoons mustard powder2 cups petite green peas1 lemon, thinly sliced1/2 teaspoon…
Here’s a fabulous, easy, healthy recipe just in time for the nine days (the days leading up to the Ninth of Av when observant Jews refrain from eating meat and chicken). I’ll say it here — my Moroccan Spice Girl partner is a fearless, talented cook! She doesn’t flinch from complicated recipes and sophisticated ingredients….
2 teaspoons sweet paprika2 teaspoons turmeric2 teaspoons garlic powder1 teaspoon brown sugar1/2 teaspoon chili powder1/2 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon black pepper 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2-3 lb salmon, skin on1 lemon, juiced Preheat oven to broil. Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil onto a baking sheet or ovenproof dish. Place fish on the dish and pour lemon…
MARINADE1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil1 lemon, juiced3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 tablespoons za’atar, plus more forsprinkling1 teaspoon turmericSalt and pepper, to taste6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs,patted dryArrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the broiler. Cover a baking sheet with foil.In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil,…
Recipe 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 chicken, cut into 8 pieces 1 large onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, finely diced 1 cup finely sliced celery 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 cup short grain or Arborio rice, rinsed and drained 1 1/2 cups saffron water (see note) 1 8 oz. can diced tomatoes 1 can…
Saffron and paprika are the trademark spices of this dish, lending sweet, floral, earthy and complex flavor. If you have ever toured Barcelona, you know that the city is all about the sparkling blue sea and bustling port, the whimsically quirky Gaudi architecture and the grand medieval architecture of the Barcelona Cathedral, the art of…
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Best friends Sharon Gomperts and Rachel Sheff are the dynamic duo behind the Sephardic Spice Girls on social media. Together, they share online recipes, history and cultural anecdotes about Sephardic and Middle Eastern Jewish heritage. They started the account to teach people about Sephardic culture (which hails from Spain, North Africa…
Mushroom Malawach1 package Malawach doughVegetable oil spray Invert a round cast iron pot or wok and place over medium heat. Spray bottom of the pan When pan is super hotPlace Malawach on top for a few minutes until golden, flip it over and cook the other side. Mushroom Topping 1/4 cup olive oil4 cups sliced mushrooms, any combination…
Dressing2 limes, juiced2 tablespoon argan oil or a fruity extravirgin olive oil1 teaspoon sweet paprika1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper1/2 teaspoon kosher salt In a bowl, whisk the lime juice and olive oil, then add paprika, cayenne and salt.Set aside. 3 medium oranges, chilled in therefrigerator1/2 cup oil-cured dried black olives, pitted1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds or 1/8…
This salad is lovely and so refreshing when served with cold oranges. Easy to make, so pretty and healthy too. Recently, I was sitting in my office and my phone rings and I see that the call is from David Suissa, editor of the Jewish Journal. I get a little nervous because I’m wondering “What…
This week we wanted to highlight the work of our online friend Ilda Dabda, creator of Inspired By Solange My children have politely told me to stay off TikTok and that’s just fine with me. I spend plenty of time (let’s be honest—way too much time) on my other social media. Checking my Facebook notifications…
We marinated these ribs in a fabulous mix of spicy harissa, red wine and a tablespoon of Silan (sweet date syrup). The great thing is there’s no measuring and no mess—just put the boneless ribs & everything else into a big Ziploc bag & let sit for 20 minutes. Then throw on the grill. The…
Carciofi Recipe 12 baby artichokes3 lemonsOil for frying (olive oil is traditional,we used avocado oil)Kosher salt INSTRUCTIONS Place artichokes in a large bowl of water. Squeeze the juice from two lemons over the artichokes, then add the lemon rinds into the water. This will prevent artichokes from browning. Remove the dark green spiky outer leaves…
A trip to Bella Roma will always be memorable. Magnificent art, awesome architecture, ancient ruins, fabulous fashion, mouthwatering food and breathtaking natural beauty. Any trip to Rome requires a visit to the Roman Ghetto. A hidden jewel bordered by the Tiber River and the Piazza Venezia, the Ghetto features amazing kosher ristorantes, old style bakeries,…
1 lb ground beef1 onion, finely chopped1 cup finely chopped Italian parsley2 tablespoons olive oil1 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon turmeric1/2 teaspoon paprika1/2 teaspoon ground allspice1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ground cumin1/2 teaspoon garlic powderFreshly ground black pepper Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Cover and let the meat rest in the…
The warmer weather and longer days put us in the mood for outdoor dining. The shift in the weather is imperceptible. The day starts cool and grey but warms up a little more quickly and by noon the sun is shimmering and golden. The palm trees stand sentinel, patiently waving their green fronds, silhouetted against…
This week we commemorate the beautiful holiday of Shavuot, Z’man Matan Torateinu (Giving of the Torah). We learn Torah all night and indulge in deliciously dairy meals The Jewish people have been patiently counting the Omer for the past seven weeks. And now it’s time for their reward—cheesecake! This week we commemorate the beautiful holiday…
