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…

Iraqi T’bit

Iraqi T’bit

SHARON’S T’BIT Canola oil 2 onions, chopped 6 cloves garlic, minced 3 tomatoes, chopped Crushed cardamom, to taste Turmeric, to taste Cinnamon, to taste Ginger, to taste Salt, pepper to taste 1 chicken 4 cups water 2-3 cups rice (Jasmine, long grain, brown rice or combination) 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional) 12 eggs (optional) In…

Moroccan Dafina

Moroccan Dafina

RACHEL’S DAFINA Also known as hamin, adafina, skhina or La Daf 1 bag garbanzo beans, soaked overnight Small red potatoes and small sweet potatoes (1-2 small potatoes per person) Meat (cheek meat or any fatty meat) Marrow bones 1 large onion, cut in half Pitted dates, for color 1 whole head of garlic, unpeeled, with top…

Yemenite Soup

Yemenite Soup

YEMENITE BEEF SOUP 2 pounds beef shank or cheek meat or short ribs, cut into chunks 5 tablespoons hawaiij spice mix (recipe follows) 4 cloves garlic, chopped 4 tablespoons of olive oil, divided 2 onions, finely chopped 1 pound marrow bones or neck bones 1 cup tomato sauce 5 medium potatoes, peeled, cut in large chunks 2 teaspoons…

curry roasted Cauliflower

curry roasted Cauliflower

curry roasted cauliflower 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets 1 15 1/2-ounce can garbanzos, drained 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon curry powder 1 tablespoon turmeric 1 teaspoon garlic powder Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste 1 cup cashews 1/2 bunch fresh Italian parsley, minced, for garnish 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, minced, for garnish Preheat…

charoset truffles

charoset truffles

Rachel’s Moroccan charoset truffles 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped 2 cups pitted dates 1 cup raisins, golden or dark 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 cup sweet wine Finely ground almond flour and/or dried rose petals to roll charoset balls in (optional) In food processor combine chopped walnuts, dates, raisins and spices until…

Moufleta

Moufleta

Rachel’s Moufletas 3 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1  1/2 cups lukewarm water 2 tablespoons oil, plus 1/3 cup oil, separated, plus oil for frying Butter, honey or Nutella, for serving Sift flour and salt into large bowl. Make a well in the center and slowly add water. Using hands, mix until dough is sticky but…

Frittata

Frittata

Sharon’s Frittata 1 large onion, finely diced 1 purple onion, finely diced 1/2 teaspoon sugar 2 leeks, finely sliced 10 eggs 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 bunch fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped 2 plum tomatoes, finely chopped 1 cup broccoli, finely chopped 1 cup…

Turshi

Turshi

Nana Aziza’s TURSHI 2 cups white vinegar 1 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 red wine vinegar 1 1/2 cups water 1/4 cup kosher salt 2 tablespoons curry powder 2 tablespoons turmeric 1 tablespoon sugar 1 pound cauliflower, cut into florets 1 pound green beans, trimmed 2 carrots, sliced into thin strips 1 red pepper, sliced…

GALETTE

GALETTE

RICOTTA BERRY GALETTE 3 cups mixed berries 3 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons sugar Pinch of salt 16 ounces whole-milk ricotta 1 teaspoon almond extract 2 tablespoons honey 1 egg, beaten Crust dough for 1 galette Castor sugar, for dusting Preheat oven to 400 F. Combine berries, cornstarch, sugar and salt, set aside. In medium bowl,…