Some of the most precious memories that our good friend Mona has from her childhood are the summers she spent with her grandmother Mamamohtaram in Tehran. Her grandmother lived on the ground floor of a three-story building with high walls and a large garden.Her elder son and his family lived on the middle floor and…
Recipe 1 large onion, finely diced 8 medium Russet potatoes, peeled and quartered 2 large carrots small dice1 cup frozen peas 10-12 large eggs 1 bunch fresh Italian parsley, or cilantro finely chopped 1 tablespoon turmeric2 tablespoons chicken consommé Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 1/2 cup vegetable oil, for frying Squeeze of lemon,…
1 pound ground beef1/2 cup finely chopped Italian parsley1 medium onion, grated2 teaspoons baharat spice1 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon pepperFor the dough1 cup farina1 cup semolina1/4 pound ground beef1 cup warm water1 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon pepper In a large bowl, combine one pound ground beef, Italian parsley, grated onion, baharat, salt and pepper. Set…
My great-aunts would reminisce about youthful afternoons whiled away at my grandparents home. And all the goodies that would appear from their underground cellar that was filled to the brim with dried dates, nuts, jams, cheeses and other delicacies. My first memory of my grandmother Savta Rosa is at the wedding of her youngest son…
2 pounds sea bass, or any white fish1/4 cup olive oil 1 yellow onion, chopped finely 1 fennel, thinly shaved 1 teaspoon salt1 generous pinch of saffron, placed into a 1/2 cup warm water1 teaspoon turmeric1/2 cup white wine1/2 preserved lemon, chopped finely Or juice of one lemon and 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon capers1/2 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped1…
Rachel’s Dafina 1 16 ounce bag garbanzo beans,soaked overnight1 whole head of garlic, unpeeled withtop cut off2 pounds boneless cheek meat (anyfatty meat will work)3-4 marrow bones (optional)12 small red potatoes, washed2 large sweet potatoes, peeled & halved1 large onion, peeled and halved2 pitted dates1 tablespoon honeySalt and pepperOlive oilWater1 dozen eggs, rinsed Assemble: In…
What began as an ode to our mothers and grandmothers has become an important effort to preserve our family recipes and the culinary traditions of the Sephardic and Mizrahi lands for the next generation. Princess Lalla Hasna was the honoree at the Gala called Salute to Morocco: Honoring a Dynasty of Tolerance. The sister of…
Viniagrette1/2 cup olive oil2 lemons, juicedSalt and pepper 1 large fennel, finely shaved1 orange, cut into segments1 blood orange, cut into segments1/2 cup oil-cured black olives1 watermelon radish, finely shaved Arrange fennel on a large dish.Garnish with orange, blood orange, olives and radish.
When my family and I moved to Los Angeles, I learned to eat the classic American after-school treats—peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies and a tall glass of milk.By I so fondly remember those sunny Casablanca afternoons when my mother and aunt Clara would pick me up from school. My aunt drove…
2 pounds boneless chicken breast,cut to desired size¼ cup mayonnaise2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar1 tablespoon garlic powder1 gallon size freezer bag2 cups all-purpose flour2-3 large eggs1 teaspoon salt4 cups panko crumbs(any flavor you prefer)Avocado or vegetable oil for frying1 carrot for frying In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar and garlic powder….
Nowadays, crispy, golden delicious schnitzel is one of the most popular items in the Israeli kitchen and on restaurant menus. When I was 14 years old, my parents sent my older brother Rafi and I to Israel for our summer vacation. Of course, our Australian summer was smack dab in the middle of Israel’s winter…
4 tablespoons olive oil1 large onion, finely chopped 6 garlic cloves, minced2 teaspoons salt1 teaspoon ground black pepper1 teaspoon paprika1 teaspoon garlic powder2 carrots, diced 2 celery stalks, chopped3 large white squash2 14oz cans chopped tomatoes 2 cans cannellini or white beans, washed & drained1/2 cup frozen peas1/2 cup frozen green beans6 cups vegetable stock or water In…
Cheesy Burekas Filling2 large russet potatoes1/2 pound of feta cheese, crumbled1 cup parmesan cheese2 eggs Boil the potatoes in a pot over medium heat until fork tender, 7-10 minutes.Peel the potatoes, mash and let cool.Add feta and parmesan cheese and eggs and mix all the ingredients. Dough1 cup cold water3/4 cup avocado or vegetable oil1…
Cheese burekas are the perfect package—the short crust pastry has just the right amount of crispy flakiness and the filling combines the rich salty, buttery tang of feta and the sharp, intricate flavor of Parmesan with the comforting creaminess of mashed potato. When Rachel’s husband Neil was eight years old, his maternal grandmother passed away….
3 tablespoons avocado or vegetable oil1 medium butternut squash,peeled, seeded and diced4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced6 medium carrots, peeled and diced2 parsnips, peeled and diced2 teaspoons brown sugar1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon turmeric1 teaspoon cinnamon1 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper2 tablespoons avocado oil1 large onion, finely chopped4 white squash or…
Sweet and nutty, this rich, creamy soup has the smooth, airy texture of soufflé. The most surprising thing that happened at our recent Sephardic Spice Girl cooking demonstration at Beth Jacob Congregation? The reaction to our Winter Harvest Squash Soup! We were worried that the audience was getting hungry and restless, so we sent out cups…
36 large Madjool dates2 cups almond flour1 ¼ cups confectioners sugar¼ cup water1 teaspoon almond extract1 teaspoon orange blossom wateror rose water Make a horizontal slit in each date (do not cut all the way through) and remove the pits. In a food processor fitted with a blade, combine the almond flour and sugar, slowly…
Marrakesh was magically transplanted to the beach of Chable Maroma on the Mexican Riviera, with Moroccan lanterns flickering with candlelight setting the scene. The vibe was Old World charm meets New World chic when Rachel and Neil hosted their son’s henna party. Marrakesh was magically transplanted to the beach of Chable Maroma on the Mexican…
36 large Madjool dates 2 cups almond flour 1 ¼ cups confectioners sugar ¼ cup water 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water Make a horizontal slit in each date (do not cut all the way through) and remove the pits. In a food processor fitted with a blade, combine the almond flour and…
Almost 30 years ago, when our friend Yosi was dating his wife Esther, he was amazed that her family in Florida and Brooklyn served the same cookies that his grandmother had baked for him when he was a little boy growing up in Jerusalem.Yosi’s maternal grandmother was born in Aleppo, Syria. When she was a…
3 tablespoons avocado or canola oil1 whole chicken, cut into pieces1 large onion, diced2 large tomatoes, diced3 potatoes, large dice2 teaspoons kosher salt2 teaspoons curry powder1 teaspoon ginger powder1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon turmeric1 teaspoon paprika1 teaspoon chili powder, if desired1 small canned jalapeño peppers2 cups tomato sauce3 cups water In a large pot, warm…
