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…
Garlic is an indispensable ingredient in practically every recipe in every cuisine. The day before his bar mitzvah, my brother Rafi had a high fever. To add to the drama of the situation, my uncle Ben’s wedding was mere hours away. My family, including my grandparents, had flown all the way from Sydney, Australia to…
There is nothing more heavenly than the wonderful smell and taste of freshly baked challah. We will be watching Shtissel. We will probably be frying schnitzel. And, on social media, we’ll be keeping a keen eye out for all the fabulous Shlissel Challahs. This first Shabbat after Passover is known as “Shlissel Shabbos.” Shlissel is…
IRAQI ALMOND MARZIPAN COOKIES Based on Tikva Iny’s recipe Ingredients: 3 cups Almonds ground finely, or almond flour 1 cup sugar 3 egg whites 1 tsp cardamom 1tsp cinnamon 1 Tbsp rose water or 2 tsp almond extract Separate 3 egg whites from egg yolks in two bowls, you will not be using the yolks….
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,…
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…
When Vivian met Nik she was charmed by his Irish accent and was amazed to find out that there were Irish Jews. Jewish history in Ireland began over a thousand years ago, when five Jews brought a gift to Toirdelbach, the king of Munster, but they were soon sent back to where they came from….
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…
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 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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
LACH’MAJIN For dough: 2 dozen store-bought small pizza dough rounds 1/2 cup avocado or canola oil For topping: 1 pound ground beef 2 onions, finely chopped 3 ounces tomato paste Juice of one lemon 1 cup tamarind concentrate 1 tablespoon allspice 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon pepper Pine nuts for garnish…
GRILLED WHOLE SNAPPER 2-3 pounds whole snapper, gutted and scaled with head and tail intact 1 tablespoon salt 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced Fresh parsley and oregano, minced, for garnish Place fish with all the ingredients into a large Ziploc bag. Marinate for one hour or in…
YELLOW SHAKSHUKA 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, thinly sliced 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped 4 Roma tomatoes, finely diced 1 orange bell pepper, sliced 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon salt 1 13 1/2-ounce can coconut milk 1/2 cup water…
TUNISIAN TUNA SANDWICH 2 medium Yukon gold potatoes 4 rolls or demi baguettes 1/2 cup harissa 1 small English cucumber, thinly sliced 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata or oil-cured black olives 2 5-ounce cans tuna in oil 2 hardboiled eggs, sliced 1⁄2 small red onion, diced 1⁄2 cup preserved lemon, chopped…
SPICY HARISSA PARGIYOT 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped 1/4 cup olive oil 1/3 cup harissa 4 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons water 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon kosher salt Place chicken thighs in a large Ziploc bag. Combine remaining ingredients in blender and puree until mixture is smooth. Add…
