A classic Iraqi dish, kubbah shwandar is a vibrant magenta beet broth with meat-filled semolina dumplings. Rachel and I spend a lot of time talking about food. We reminisce about all the amazing meals we’ve eaten. We make lists of recipes we want to try. We consider what produce is in season and we plan…
12 lemons, washed and dried1 cup kosher or sea saltRemove the stem of the lemon and make one cut down halfway, then crisscross the lemon and make another cut halfway, making sure that the lemon stays intact in four sections.Stuff all sides of the lemon with a good quantity of salt and squeeze lemon closed.Place…
Freekeh has a rich, nutty flavor and can be cooked like rice and barley. It makes an excellent addition to soups, stews and pilafs. Move over quinoa. There’s a new grain in the kitchen. Freekeh is the new (rather ancient) grain darling of the foodie scene! Called carmel in ancient Hebrew, it is mentioned in…
For centuries, Sephardic women have soaked almonds and ground them to make almond cakes. Many, many years ago, whenever my grandparents would land at LAX from Sydney, Australia, their first stop was at the Culver City cottage of Trinh Le. Trinh Le was a petite old lady who packed a powerful punch. She was a devout…
Almond Cake Recipe 4 large eggs 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup coconut or avocado oil 1 teaspoon almond extract 2 cups almond flour 1 teaspoon baking powder Confectioners sugar, for garnish Preheat oven to 350°F.In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, then add sugar.Beat to a creamy consistency, then add oil and mix well. Add…
Ingredients 2 teaspoons yeast 1 teaspoon sugar 1 1/4 cup warm water 3 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt vegetable or peanut oil for frying 3-6 baby carrots to absorb the burnt black crumbs and keep the oil clear sugar, for dusting In a small bowl, add the yeast and sugar, then add the…
1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and grated by hand or in a food processor 1 small red onion grated 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 cup vegetable oil In a large bowl mix together potatoes, onion, flour, eggs, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in…
Hanukkah is truly the coziest, most joyous time of the year. Artemisia Gentileschi was a famous Baroque artist who lived in the Florence of the Medici and the Rome of the Popes. Her dramatic paintings are filled with heroines from the Bible. But it is the audacious story of Judith, a young widow and unlikely…
Thanks to Sharon and Rachel’s expansive collection of recipes, I have discovered a way to respectfully explore my Sephardic heritage. Jewish cooking in my f wasamily has always been an act of revival and reconnection. My family, though very dedicated to Judaism, has very few Jewish recipes that have been preserved throughout the generations. Growing…
Malabi2 13 1/2oz cans coconut milk2/3 cup water1/3 cup sugar4 tablespoons cornstarch2 teaspoons rose water Berry Sauce1 pound raspberries1/4 cup sugar2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice For GarnishPomegranates, raspberries or strawberriesCoconut flakesPistachios, unsalted & shelled Shake coconut milk well. Then open cans and pour contents into a medium pan.Add 1/4 cup water.Add sugar and stir well….
1 kabocha squash, about 2 1/2-3 pounds ¼ cup olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt ¼ cup avocado or expeller pressed safflower oil ¼ cup currants 1/3 cup pistachios or slivered almonds ½ cup chopped Italian parsley Pinch of saltPreheat oven to 400°F. Wash the exterior of the squash thoroughly, then place on a microwave-safe…
While everyone knows that the turkey is the star of the show, every Thanksgiving feast relies on the best supporting actors—delicious side dishes.By The boundless Pacific Ocean filled the horizon beyond the big glass doors. The sun was setting and the sky was perfectly gray and purple and streaked with red. The fireplace crackled with…
Sharon and Rachel, aka the Sephardic Spice Girls (@sephardicspicegirls), are a cooking duo who run an Instagram account by the same name. Jewish cooking in my family has always been an act of revival and reconnection.My family, though very dedicated to Judaism, has very few Jewish recipes that have been preserved throughout the generations. Growing…
2 pounds cod, seabass, sole or halibut,fillets, cut into pieces1 teaspoon kosher salt¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1 teaspoon garlic powder2 large eggs1 cup flourSunflower oil for frying 2 small carrot sticks Wash the fish fillets, arrange on a plate and pat dry with paper towel.Sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder.In a small bowl,…
Fried fish is very common in the Moroccan kitchen. The Bondi Fish House on Campbell Parade in Bondi Beach has been selling the best fish and chips for longer than I can remember. In February 2020, when I was lucky enough to find myself in Sydney, Australia for my cousin Ari’s wedding, that was my…
1 pound white beans, soaked overnight1 large onion, diced3 cloves garlic, chopped1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil1 1/2 tablespoons sweet red paprika1 teaspoon cumin2 tablespoons tomato paste2 tablespoons Pareve chicken consomméWhite pepper and salt, to taste2 bay leaves8 cups waterSauté onion in olive oil over medium heat until onion becomes translucent. Add drained beans, garlic,…
(Makes between 12-18 ktitzot)Avocado or vegetable oil for greasing1 lb lean ground beef1 large onion, grated1 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro1/4 cup chopped green onion1/2 cup potato starch1 large egg3 teaspoons shawarma spice mix1/2 teaspoon kosher saltFreshly ground black pepper In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, herbs, potato starch, egg and…
The beauty of these delicious little patties is that the herbs and finely chopped onions make a small amount of meat go a long way. Friday afternoons are always the most rushed time of the week for me. It’s all about the last minute preparations for Shabbat. A pit stop at Pavillions for the strawberries…
1-2 lbs white fish fillet (sea bass or branzino )1 tablespoon kosher salt1 large leek, finely chopped 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 golden or red potatoes thinly sliced2 Roma tomatoes cut into quarters1 red bell pepper sliced1/2 cup white wine1 lemon slicedHandful of cilantro, parsley and dill roughly chopped. Salt the fish and let sit…
4 tablespoons dry yeast1 teaspoon sugar3 ½ cups warm water10 cups flour1 cup oil2 teaspoons kosher salt2 eggs for egg washSesame seeds Preheat oven to 350°F In a glass bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and water, then set aside and allow to proof for 10 minutes. Brush the reshas with egg wash and sprinkle with…
2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, finely chopped1 pound ground beef1 beef bouillon 1/2 cup water 1/3 cup chopped green olives1/2 cup chopped cilantro or Italian parsley 1 large potato, peeled and boiledPepper, to taste Two sheets puff pastry (or small individual squares)1 egg, beaten for egg washEverything But the Bagel seasoning or sesame seeds In a pan, warm…
