Esther’s Ma’amul

Esther’s Ma’amul

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…

Okra and Butternut Stew 

Okra and Butternut Stew 

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…

Sutlach Rice Pudding

Sutlach Rice Pudding

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

Harissa

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…

Almond Fingers by Claudia Roden

Almond Fingers by Claudia Roden

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…

Alexandra’s Skillet Potatoes 

Alexandra’s Skillet Potatoes 

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…

Magical Tehini Cookies

Magical Tehini Cookies

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…

Shepherd’s Pie 

Shepherd’s Pie 

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…

Rachel’s Corn Salad

Rachel’s Corn Salad

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…

Sharon’s Corn Salad

Sharon’s Corn Salad

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…

Knafeh Cheesecake

Knafeh Cheesecake

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…

Rocky Road

Rocky Road

1 10oz bag semi sweet chocolate chips 1/4 cup avocado oil 2 cups mini marshmallows 1 cup roasted almonds, chopped Line a small tray with parchment paper. Melt the chocolate and combine with the oil. Pour 2/3 of the melted chocolate onto the parchment paper. Sprinkle the marshmallows in an even layer, then add the…

Scone Recipe

Scone Recipe

2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour2 teaspoons sugar2 teaspoons baking powder4 ounces (one stick) salted butter1 cup milk, approximately Preheat oven to 400°F.Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Sift the flour, sugar and baking powder into a medium bowl.Rub in the butter until flour feels sandy. Stir in enough milk to achieve a soft, sticky…

Maman’s Tortilla de Patatas

Maman’s Tortilla de Patatas

8 medium russet potatoes, peeled and quartered1 Tbsp turmeric1 large onion, finely diced10-12 large eggs1 bunch fresh Italian parsley or cilantro, finely chopped2 Tbsp chicken consommé powderSalt and freshly ground black pepper1/2 cup avocado or vegetable oil, for frying1 lemon quartered, for serving Fill a large pot halfway with cold water, then add the potatoes…

Puréed Tomato & White Bean Soup

Puréed Tomato & White Bean Soup

2 14oz cans of white beans, washed and drained4 tablespoons olive oil2 large onions, chopped10 cloves garlic8 Roma tomatoes2 teaspoons kosher salt1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper2 teaspoons paprika1 teaspoon cumin6 cups vegetable broth or water1 ripe avocado, cubedHot sauce1 limeCrunchy tortilla strips Preheat oven to 400°F.Arrange onions, garlic and tomatoes on a baking sheet…

Preserved Lemons

Preserved Lemons

18 lemons, washed and dried1 cup kosher salt Remove the stem of the lemon. Quarter the lemon lengthwise, with two cuts three-quarters of the way. Make sure that the lemon stays intact.Stuff all sides of the lemon with a generous amount of salt and squeeze lemon closed.Place lemon inside a 1-liter glass jar with an…

Rachel’s Matbucha Recipe

Rachel’s Matbucha Recipe

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 10 large cloves of garlic, peeled and    chopped 4 28oz cans of whole tomatoes 4 large red bell peppers 1 large green bell pepper 1 small can of fire roasted green diced    chiles or 2 teaspoons red chili flakes or    2 jalapeño peppers  1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon…

Schnitzel Recipe

Schnitzel Recipe

2 pounds boneless chicken breast, cutinto 5×3 inch pieces¼ cup mayonnaise2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar1 Tbsp garlic powder1 gallon size freezer bag2 cups all-purpose flour2-3 large eggs1 tsp salt4 cups panko crumbsAvocado or vegetable oil, for frying1 carrot, for frying (keeps oil clean) In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar and garlic…

Orange Cake

Orange Cake

Syrup Ingredients1/4 cup orange juice1 cup powder sugar1 tablespoon orange blossom waterZest of one orange Melt ingredients over medium heat. Once sugar has dissolved and syrup is thick, set aside. 1 cup all-purpose flour2 teaspoons baking powderA pinch of salt1/2 cup orange juiceZest of two oranges2 sticks butter or 1 cup vegetable oil1 cup white…