This week, Sharon and I share a a skillet chicken recipe that tastes like home. I am in possession of three passports. I was born in Petach Tikva, Israel. I grew up in Sydney, Australia. My family moved to Los Angeles when I was in high school. That’s a lot of moving around. And we…
1/2 cup finely chopped Italian parsley1 medium onion, grated2 tsp baharat spice1 tsp kosher salt1/2 tsp pepperFor the dough1 cup farina1 cup semolina1/4 lb ground beef1 cup warm water1 tsp kosher salt1/2 tsp pepper• In a large bowl, combine one pound ground beef, Italian parsley, grated onion, baharat, salt and pepper. Set aside.• In a…
The crown jewel of the Babylonian Jewish kitchen, kubbah are shells made from semolina stuffed with a mixture of ground beef, Italian parsley and onion. When Rachel and I started publicizing our latest Kubbah class, I was pleasantly surprised to hear from so many of my Ashkenazi friends that kubbah is one of their favorite…
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided5 medium tomatoes, diced3 14oz cans diced tomatoes, strained1 tsp sugar9 large eggs1 tsp salt½ tsp black pepper4 thick slices of challah (cut into bite size pieces)1 8oz container feta cheese1 cup grated Parmesan cheese½ cup grated Romano cheese (optional)I cup chopped Italian parsleyI egg, whisked for egg wash…
A couple of Sundays ago, my family and I were blessed to celebrate the centennial birthday of my mother-in-law, Becky. A couple of Sundays ago, my family and I were blessed to celebrate the centennial birthday of my mother-in-law, Becky. Of course, turning 100 deserves a huge celebration. But over the last six months, she…
2 ½ cups unsalted mixed nuts2 Tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped½ tsp cayenne pepper½ tsp sumac2 tsp dark brown sugar1 tsp kosher salt1 Tbsp unsalted butter or vegan butter, melted Preheat oven to 350°F.Place the nuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.Place the sheet in the oven and toast until the nuts are…
2 cups green olives2 cups Greek or Kalamata olives3 cloves garlic, finely chopped1 lemon, juiced1/2 orange, juicedZest of 1 lemonZest of 1 orange2 tsp chopped fresh thyme, or a few sprigs2 tsp fennel seed, optional1 Tbsp sumac1 tsp red chili flakes1 cup olive oil Rinse olives thoroughly and drain thoroughly.Place olives in a pan and…
All of the seven species play a popular part in the cuisine of Sephardic Jews. But this week, Sharon and I wanted to highlight two particular ingredients — olives and nuts. When I met Alan 24 years ago, I told him that when my father takes him to his garden and shows him his plants…
1 4lb can stuffed grape leaves2 lemons, juiced1 lemon, thinly sliced¼ cup extra virgin olive oil1 tsp salt 1. Preheat oven to 300°F.2. Place 4 slices of lemon on the bottom of a round or oval ovenproof dish.3. Carefully place the grape leaves in a circular design on top of the lemon slices. Continue layering…
1/4 cup olive oil3 medium onions, thinly sliced in food processor1 Tbsp thyme leaves1 tsp salt1/2 tsp pepper1 garlic clove1 Tbsp balsamic vinegarPuff pastry squares1 can good quality anchovies1/2 cup oil-cured black olives, pitted and halvedCapers, for garnish 1. Warm olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add onions, thyme, salt, pepper…
1/2 cup avocado oil, divided2 red onions, thinly sliced1 tsp sugar1 lb sliced pastrami4 Tbsp brown sugar1 package lavash flatbread Sauce2 Tbsp Dijon mustard3 Tbsp mayonnaise1. Preheat oven to 350°F.2. In a frying pan, warm half the oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and fry for 5 minutes, then add sugar. Lower the heat…
When Neil and I found out that Rabbi Bouskila would be returning to Los Angeles for the bar mitzvah of close family friends, we knew this was our opportunity to throw a Farewell (until we see you soon) Party. If you’ve read our column over the years, you’ll know that the Sephardic Educational Center is…
DRESSING:1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil1/8 cup red wine vinegarJuice of one lemon½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper1 teaspoon sumacSalt & pepperWhisk together all the ingredients. SALAD:1 cup farro, cooked according to package directions2 cups chopped dill, mint, basil and Italian parsley2 green onions, chopped1 small celery heart, chopped1 yellow bell pepper, chopped10 oz. mini heirloom tomatoes,…
A nutritional powerhouse, farro contains protein, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth. I was definitely born with a piece of marzipan in mine! Traditional Moroccan sweets and desserts are delectable and oh so tempting. I start with one. I find it really hard to stop eating…
100 grams almond flour100 grams butter or vegan butter100 grams powdered sugar2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon almond extract or a splash of rum.Using a mixer beat cream for two minutes till fluffy and spread onto puff pastry dough.Wrap the dough closed and brush with egg , sprinkle top with sliced almonds.bake 425 degrees for 25…
Soup recipe 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil2 leeks, thinly sliced4 stalks of celery, sliced4 heirloom carrots, cut into rounds1 parsnip, cut into rounds2 Yukon gold potatoes, diced6 large garlic cloves, chopped2 tsp paprika2 tsp salt1/2 tsp black pepper1 lb delicata squash, chopped into long slivers4 medium white squash, chopped into 1/2-inch rounds1 – 14oz….
The wonderful thing about soups is that they are so nourishing and so comforting. Prepping the vegetables does take a little time, but once you throw everything in the pot, soup requires zero effort. As a young schoolgirl, many of my afternoons were spent at my grandparents home in Rose Bay. After school, my brother…
2 medium eggplants2 medium red bell peppersCoarse salt1/3 cup olive oil, more if needed1 chicken cut into 10 pieces (breasts intotwo) Or about 2 pounds bonelessskinless thighs or breasts2 large sweet yellow onions, thinly slicedor chopped2 large garlic cloves, grated or finelychopped1 tablespoon sweet paprika1 teaspoon cumin (optional)3 tablespoons tomato paste1 cup chicken stock or…
Meatballs1 lb ground beef1 medium onion, finely grated1/2 bunch Italian parsley.1 cup breadcrumbs1 egg1 tsp turmeric1 tsp paprikaSalt and pepper In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients together until combined.Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and roll meat mixture into small one and a half inch meatballs. Set aside. Broth1 pinch saffron1 cup…
For Sephardic Jews, meatballs are rarely eaten with pasta. More often meatballs co-star with vegetables like potatoes, peas, zucchini, butternut squash, green beans and okra. For the extended Yaakovy family, Friday, October 6th was a joyful celebration of the festival of Simchat Torah at Kibbutz K’far Azza. At the end of the dinner, mother Sigal…
My memories of Hanukkah in Morocco revolve around the joy of family gathering together. My memories of Hanukkah in Morocco revolve around the joy of family gathering together. We lit one beautiful menorah presented to my parents by my mother’s father on the occasion of their wedding. My parents met and married in Larache, an…
