The Pursuit of Cheesecake

The Pursuit of Cheesecake

Crust2 cups Graham cracker crumbs1 stick butter, melted1/3 cup sugar Preheat oven to 325°F.Grease a 9 inch springform pan.Combine Graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar, until it has the texture of sand.Press mixture into the bottom of the cake pan and about 1 inch up the sides.Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Cheesecake…

A Feta and Spring Vegetable Quiche for Mother’s Day

A Feta and Spring Vegetable Quiche for Mother’s Day

1 package puff pastry Extra virgin olive oil, for sautéing 2 Shallots, finely chopped 12 asparagus spears, chopped into 1 inch pieces with tips left whole 10 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 8 oz white mushrooms, sliced Salt and pepper to taste 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 8 large eggs 1 cup half-and-half 4 tablespoons store bought pesto…

Iraqi Sweet and Sour Fish

Iraqi Sweet and Sour Fish

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…

Iraqi T’bit

Iraqi T’bit

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…

Moroccan Dafina

Moroccan Dafina

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 Soup

Yemenite Soup

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

curry roasted Cauliflower

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…

charoset truffles

charoset truffles

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…

Moufleta

Moufleta

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…

Frittata

Frittata

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…

Turshi

Turshi

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…

GALETTE

GALETTE

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,…

Syrian Meat Pies

Syrian Meat Pies

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 Snapper

Grilled Snapper

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…

Shakshuka

Shakshuka

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 Sandwich

Tunisian Sandwich

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…