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…
Beef filling1/3 cup vegetable oil, divided6 onions, finely chopped1 1/2 pounds ground beef1/2 cup Char-B-Que Barbecue Sauce2 Tbsp tomato paste2 Tbsp soy sauce1 tsp allspice1 tsp paprika1 tsp turmeric1 tsp garlic powder1 large eggplant, salted, drained and diced1 lb mushrooms, cleaned and sliced Mashed potatoes8 large potatoes, peeled and cubed2 cups water (more or less)3…
Maybe every daughter idolizes her father, but my father was truly a legend Maybe every daughter idolizes her father, but my father was truly a legend. Born on Yom Kippur, 1935 in Baghdad, Iraq to parents Rafael and Rosa, he was the middle child in a family of nine — older siblings Toya, Moshe, Shlomo and Daisy…
3 ears of white corn4 romaine gems, chopped into thin shreds2 medium avocados, cubed2 oranges, peeled and cubed1/3 cup roasted and salted pistachiosDressing:1/4 cup olive oil1 large lemon, juiced1 teaspoon dry oreganoSalt and pepper to taste Grill the corn for 10 minutes or until fork tender. Let cool, then strip the kernels.Prepare the dressing in…
3 ears of corn, boiled or microwaved1 red pepper, 1 orange pepper, 1 yellowpepper, diced2 large firm heirloom tomatoes, diced1 bunch Italian parsley, soaked, rinsed androughly chopped1 purple onion, thinly sliced1 ripe avocado, cubed6 radishes, thinly slicedPlantain chips or corn chips, for garnish Dressing1/3 cup olive oil2 limes, juicedSalt and pepper Strip kernels of corn…
At this time of year, there is such an abundance of fresh corn at farmers markets and the local supermarket. And that’s our cue to shift into summer recipes. When I was a little girl in Casablanca, I loved eating the grilled corn on the cob from the Arab street vendor. He would have many…
1 1/2 cups water 2 tsp of active dry yeast 1 tsp sugar 8 cups of flour 1 cup of sugar 1 tap salt 1 cup milk 4 eggs ¼ cup honey 3/8 cup avocado oil 1 egg, divided, for egg wash 1. Combine dry yeast, warm water, and teaspoon of sugar in a bowl. Cover…
Called pan de siete cielos (seven heavens bread) it is a traditional Sephardic recipe that barely survived the Spanish Inquisition. Last week, in anticipation of Shavuot, Rachel and I hosted an amazing community baking class at Kahal Joseph Congregation in Westwood. It is always a pleasure for us to be at Kahal because it’s where…
For the crust:2 cups graham cracker crumbs3 Tbsp sugar1 tsp cinnamon1/2 cup unsalted butter, plus extra forgreasing For the filling:4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, roomtemperature4 Tbsp all-purpose flour1/4 tsp salt1 1/2 cups sugar1 cup sour cream1 tsp vanilla extract1 tsp lemon zest4 large eggs, at room temperature Preheat oven to 400 F.Lightly grease a 9-inch…
This year we will be making our Shavuot dessert with a fabulous Middle Eastern twist— vanilla cheesecake with a crispy, crunchy knafeh topping. I distinctly remember the first time I tasted cheesecake. I was 10 years old and it was a typically sunny Sydney afternoon. We were invited for Shabbat lunch in a beautiful home…
