Recipes

My mother Rica always made the most delicious, most nourishing and most satisfying soups. But for Rosh Hashana there was a special soup. This soup contained all the vegetables of the “simanim” on which one needs to say blessings. This is a Spanish Moroccan custom. Not only are all the vegetables in there but there’s…

Traditional Babylonian dishes for the holidays would include semolina kubbah stuffed with ground lamb in a sweet and sour broth with okra and ma’hasha, a colorful array of meat and rice stuffed grape leaves, zucchini, tomatoes and onions. There would be moist chicken slow simmered in a fresh broth and pilau b’jij, a chicken and red rice…

4 large yellow onions 1/4 cup avocado or vegetable oil 3-4 cups soft pitted prunes 1 cup of dark or golden raisins ½ cup chopped dried apricots. Rind of one orange ¼ cup orange juice 1 tsp of cinnamon 3 cloves (optional) ¼ cup Silan (pure date syrup) ¼ cup honey ¼ cup of toasted…

2 onions, peeled and diced2 lb ground beef5 tsp tomato saucea dash of cayenne pepper (or pepperflakes) and garlic powderSalt & Pepper to taste1/4 cup rice1 egg1/2 cup chopped parsley¼ cup water 1. Parboil rice. To do so, bring 3/4 cup water to a boil. Add 1/4 cup rinsed rice. Cook covered on stove approximately…

Marinade Ingredients1 cup mayonnaise1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil2 tsp paprika½ tsp cumin½ tsp turmeric½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)Zest from one lemonJuice of one lemon1 tsp salt½ tsp freshly ground black pepper4 garlic cloves, minced 2½ to 3 pounds boneless skinless chickenthighs or chicken pieces with skin onVegetable oil, for greasing…

4 large pita breads, cut into quarters1 ½ pounds ground beef3 cloves garlic, crushed1 onion, finely chopped1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped3 Tbsp olive oil2 Tbsp pomegranate molasses1 teaspoon salt½ tsp black pepper½ tsp cumin (optional)1 large tomato, peeled, seeded and choppedOlive oil (for brushing) Preheat the grill or oven to 425°F.Combine all the…

8 oz Feta or other salty white cheese3 Tbsp all-purpose flour4 eggsAvocado oil or vegetable oil for frying In a medium bowl, mash the cheese.Mix in the flour.Add eggs and beat until mixture is thoroughly blended.In a small frypan, warm oil over medium high heat.When oil is hot, pour in half the egg mixture.When the…

8 egg whitesPinch of salt1 teaspoon cinnamon1 teaspoon pumpkin spice, optional200g powdered sugar in350g walnuts, roughly ground, leaving some pieces a little larger300g dates, finely choppedAdditional powdered sugar for garnish Preheat oven to 350°F.Prepare a springform spray and flour sides.Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites in a medium bowl until stiff. Add salt and…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…