A New Beef In Town

A New Beef In Town

We Jews love our brisket. But there are some amazing butchers that provide the kosher consumer with cuts of meat from the rear half of the cow. Can there be a Jewish holy day or Friday night dinner without a brisket? It’s the quintessential cut of meat that’s great for a crowd, perfect for leaving…

Moroccan Liver

Moroccan Liver

Slowly caramelize a large sliced onion in 1/4 cup olive oil. Salt and Broil liver in oven for 5 min to get excess blood out. Once your onions are golden and nicely caramelized add small pieces of potatoes and pieces of liver. Add a Tablespoon of cumin a teaspoon of paprika and a tablespoon chicken…

Mystical Mikvah

Mystical Mikvah

Old Traditions for New Beginnings Based on Poopa Dweck’s recipe from Aromas of Aleppo. 3 tablespoons fresh yeast or 4 packages active dry yeast 2 tablespoons kosher salt 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water 8 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup anise seeds 1 teaspoon finely crushed mahlab (sour cherry pit can purchase on Amazon), optional 1…

Potato Kubbah Days

Potato Kubbah Days

Kubbah is the crowning glory of Iraqi cuisine and there are many different kinds. There were days when she’d take my brother Rafi and I for a swim in the crystalline blue waves of Bondi Beach. Afterwards, she would buy us Heart ice creams, crispy chocolate coated vanilla ice cream popsicles in the shape of,…

Sheet Pan Chicken

Sheet Pan Chicken

Sheet Pan Chicken 1 chicken, cut up in pieces 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 fennel, thinly sliced 5 small golden potatoes, thinly sliced (use a handheld mandolin) season potatoes,fennel and onion with salt pepper and olive oil. Sprinkle chicken with turmeric, garlic powder, salt & pepper, herb de Provence. Add chopped up preserved lemon Drizzle…

The Pursuit of Cheesecake

The Pursuit of Cheesecake

Crust2 cups Graham cracker crumbs1 stick butter, melted1/3 cup sugar Preheat oven to 325°F.Grease a 9 inch springform pan.Combine Graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar, until it has the texture of sand.Press mixture into the bottom of the cake pan and about 1 inch up the sides.Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Cheesecake…

A Feta and Spring Vegetable Quiche for Mother’s Day

A Feta and Spring Vegetable Quiche for Mother’s Day

1 package puff pastry Extra virgin olive oil, for sautéing 2 Shallots, finely chopped 12 asparagus spears, chopped into 1 inch pieces with tips left whole 10 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 8 oz white mushrooms, sliced Salt and pepper to taste 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 8 large eggs 1 cup half-and-half 4 tablespoons store bought pesto…

Mystical Mikvah: Old Traditions for New Beginnings

Mystical Mikvah: Old Traditions for New Beginnings

Every community has different traditions surrounding the Mikvah, but I really loved this Syrian Mikvah ceremony because it included everyone. On the morning of my son Sam’s wedding in Cancun, all the female guests woke up bright and early and dressed in white to accompany Estrella, his beautiful bride to the mikvah.  We drove away…

The Strength of Symbolism: Lamb Shanks with Apricots and Prunes

The Strength of Symbolism: Lamb Shanks with Apricots and Prunes

Passover is often referred to as Hag HaMatzot (the feast of unleavened bread) and matzo, the bread of affliction, is definitely the star of this holiday. The prohibition against eating chametz has us cleaning our homes and ridding our kitchens of anything and everything that contains grain, from alcohol to vinegar, from cereal to cakes,…

Iraqi Sweet and Sour Fish

Iraqi Sweet and Sour Fish

Salona – Iraqi Sweet and Sour Fish 2 pounds white fish fillets (cod, sea bass, bream) 2 large onions, sliced into rings 4 large tomatoes, sliced into rings 4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tablespoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon curry powder Salt and pepper to taste Oil for sautéing The Sauce: 3 lemons, juiced 1…