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…
This recipe for braised chicken with eggplant is originally from Turkey and travelled through Spain and the Mediterranean. One of the standards for being a nekuchera, the Ladino word for an excellent Sephardic cook, is having the knowledge and ability to prepare good eggplant. There are so many traditional eggplant recipes in the Sephardic kitchen—baba…
4 oz butter/vegan butter at roomtemperature or avocado oil1/2 cup powdered sugar and more fordusting cookies1 cup all natural unsalted crunchy peanutbutter1 tsp cinnamon1 cup all purpose flour1 tsp baking powder Preheat oven to 350°F.In a large bowl, use a fork to combine the butter and sugar until creamy.Add the peanut butter and combine well.Add…
Ghriba are Moroccan shortbread cookies served at weddings and other festive occasions, or as an after dinner treat with a cup of classic Moroccan mint tea. My son Sam and my niece Annabella were born a month apart. My son Max and my niece Ines and my twin nephews Luca and Nico were all born…
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil3 cloves garlic, finely chopped3 Tbsp tomato paste1 tsp kosher salt½ tsp pepper2 tsp paprika1 tsp ground coriander or cumin,optional1 15 oz can garbanzo beans, with liquid2 lb fresh spinach1/3 cup water1 lemon, juiced In a large deep pot, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, tomato paste, salt…
Recently, Neil had been reminiscing about his mother’s spinach and garbanzos, so I added it to my cooking repertoire Ever since I was a little girl, my mother Rica would tell me about the beauty of Seville. When we were little, she had a funny rhyme “Quien va a Sevilla, pierde su silla!” It was…
2 lbs sea bass or branzino fillets with skin 1 large leek, white and pale green parts washed and thinly sliced 4 Roma tomatoes, quartered. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup chopped parsley 1/2 cup chopped cilantro 1/2 preserved lemon, chopped skin only or grated lemon rind of one lemon 3 garlic cloves, chopped…
2 lbs wild salmon, skin on 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 large leeks, white and pale green parts washed and thinly sliced 8 cloves garlic, chopped 12 oz cherry tomatoes, halved 2 tsp mild curry powder 2 tsp sweet paprika 1 tsp cayenne pepper Juice of 2 lemons 1/2 cup water 3 Tbsp…
This one skillet dish is simply full of nutrition and spicy, sweet, curried flavor. As the daughter of the Shamash (guardian) of the Tomb of Ezra the Scribe, my grandmother grew up in the small village of Al Uzair. Located in the south of Iraq, the large compound where they lived sat on the west…
Dough 2 cups all purpose flour 1 cup semolina flour 1/2 tsp rose water 1 cup unsalted butter or margarine or coconut oil Nut Filling 1 pound walnuts, ground 2 Tbsp confectioners sugar 1 Tbsp unsalted butter or margarine or coconut oil, melted 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp orange blossom water Date Filling 1 lb…
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 large onion, finely diced 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp sweet red paprika 1 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp finely ground black pepper 1 tsp salt Six cloves garlic finely chopped 2 large tomatoes, finely chopped 1 28oz can of crushed tomatoes 2 Tbsp tomato paste 2 Tbsp sugar…
Often times, we cook because we have to feed our family and friends. But sometimes our cooking has a deeper purpose. My father’s upbringing in Baghdad, Iraq didn’t include pop psychology. In fact, there was very little that was Western about his early life. It always amused me when he would make references about his…
It is one of the most famous and popular Turkish desserts for good reason. On our first day in Istanbul last summer, we toured the lavish wonders of the Topkapi Palace. We walked for hours on a hot summer’s day. We decided to sit for a cool drink and walked into a café called Hafiz…
6-7 Tbsp of rice flour1 qt whole milk3-4 Tbsp of sugar2 tsp vanillaRind of one lemon, grated Bring the milk to a boil. Add rice flour, sugar and vanilla and begin to stir.Continue stirring so rice flour doesn’t burn on the bottom of the pot.If too soupy add a teaspoon of rice flour.Once the consistency…
Harissa is very adaptable, so you can use any combination of dried peppers. In California we have access to the best Mexican chiles, with every flavor profile, from fiery hot to smoky and sweet. I prefer to keep my harissa mild, adding cayenne pepper at the end to set the heat level. If you love…
Harissa is truly the perfect condiment. Use it to enhance meat and fish dishes or as a marinade for chicken thighs and breast. My personal favorite way to eat harissa is with a grilled steak. Soon after Alan and I announced our engagement, a keg of beer was delivered to his doorstep. Alan called his…
These exquisite and delicate Arab pastries (Assabih bi Lozare family favorites. They feature in medieval manuscripts as lauzinaj, which were fried and sprinkled with syrup, rose water and chopped pistachios. In North Africa they are deep-fried but we have always baked them. You need the very fine filo sheets also called yuvka. Makes about 302 1/3 cup…
As soon as she opened the door and greeted us, I was enamored. She was the sweetest, most hospitable little lady Life is a fascinating journey, with interesting twists and coincidental turns along the way. You may remember that Neil and I recently traveled to Madrid to visit our daughter Rebekah, who was studying on…
1/4 cup avocado or vegetable oil1 yellow onion, cut in thin slices1 purple onion, cut in thin slices6 medium Yukon gold potatoes, in 1-inch dice1 tsp turmeric1 tsp paprika1 tsp garlic powder1 tsp Trader Joe’s Everyday SeasoningKosher saltFreshly ground black pepper Preheat oven to 400°F.In a large ovenproof skillet, warm oil over medium heat.Add the…
Over the years, whenever I wanted to make Alexandra happy, I would make roasted potatoes. Perhaps over the years of reading our column in the Jewish Journal, you’ve noticed the photo credit of Alexandra Gomperts? Well, that’s Sharon’s daughter! She’s been alongside us Sephardic Spice Girls for the past three years, becoming our official food…
1/2 cup creamy tehini1/2 cup pure maple syrup1¼ cup almond flour3/4 cup tapioca flour1/2 tsp baking soda1/2 tsp salt1/4 cup raw sesame seeds Preheat oven to 350°F.Place all the ingredients in a bowl and use a spatula to combine well.Add chocolate chips or chopped nuts or any add ons.Form balls the size of small golf…
