The Rapture of Reshas

The Rapture of Reshas

Reshas are light, crunchy crackers that are twisted into a pretzel shape. Noted Ladino scholar and beloved friend of Neil and the entire Rhodesli community Moshe Lazar explains that the name resha derives from rejas, the Spanish word for ironwork, since the pretzel shapes of the crackers look like the fancy ironwork that adorned many…

Spicy Tuna Sauce

Spicy Tuna Sauce

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil1 small red onion, finely chopped2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped2 5oz cans of tuna in oil1 6oz can tomato paste8 oz of water3 tablespoons kalamata olives, chopped1 tablespoon capers, chopped1 teaspoon saltFreshly ground black pepper, to tasteRed pepper chili flakes, to taste (1 teaspoon)1 pound spaghetti or angel hair…

Magic Chicken Sauce

Magic Chicken Sauce

1 cup ketchup1 cup apricot jam1 cup strawberry jam1 cup honey1 cup apple cider vinegar1 cup soy sauce1/4 cup sesame oil2 teaspoons sweet paprikaPlace all the ingredients in a large jar and shake well.1 3 lb chicken, cut into 8 pieces andpatted dry or chicken wings anddrumsticks1 teaspoon paprika1 teaspoon powdered ginger1 teaspoon garlic powderFresh…

Make A Little Magic Chicken

Make A Little Magic Chicken

There’s no marinating, nothing to sauté. I just sprinkle chicken pieces with paprika, ginger and garlic powder, drizzle some “magic chicken” sauce and bake in the oven.  Recently, my middle daughter (and Sephardic Spice Girls photographer) Alexandra Gomperts said to me “I’m so glad that you never fed us chicken nuggets, schnitzel and pasta when…

Saffron fish

Saffron fish

2 lbs white fish fillets1 teaspoon kosher salt1 leek, finely chopped 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil Pinch of saffron in 1/2 cup warm water1 teaspoon turmeric1/2 cup white wine1/2 preserved lemon, chopped finely or juice of one lemon combined with 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 cup caper berries or 1 tablespoon capersHandful of cilantro, roughly chopped. …

Spanish White Bean Soup

Spanish White Bean Soup

4 cups white beans, fresh cooked or canned 4 tablespoons olive oil2 leeks, cleaned and chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped1 teaspoon kosher salt1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper 1 teaspoon saffron2 teaspoons paprika2 teaspoons turmeric 4 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped2 cubes parve chicken consommé 1 cup white wine 4 1/2 cups vegetable broth3-4 cups butternut squash, cubed 2 cups chopped…

Super-Duper Easy Hummus

Super-Duper Easy Hummus

4 cups water1 teaspoon baking soda1 29oz can of organic garbanzo beans,washed and drained1 garlic clove1/3 cup tahini1 lemon, juiced1 teaspoon kosher salt3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Over a medium flame, heat water, baking soda and garbanzo beans in a small pot.Boil for 30 minutes, until beans are very tender.Drain water and place chickpeas…

Tia Naomi’s Rolled Baklava

Tia Naomi’s Rolled Baklava

Filling: 2 cups almonds3 cups pecans1 cup sugar1 cup toasted sesame seeds2 teaspoons cinnamon Dough: 1 box phyllo dough1 cup oil (vegetable, canola, safflower, avocado) Syrup: 1 cup honey1 cup sugar1 cup waterPreheat oven to 350 F.In food processor, chop almonds and pecans.In large bowl, combine nuts, sugar, sesame seeds and cinnamon.Unfold phyllo dough and…

Sponge Cake Recipe

Sponge Cake Recipe

5 eggs (yolks)7 eggs white2 1/4 cups of flour1 1/2 cup of sugar3/4 cup of orange juice or water 1 tablespoon orange or lemon zest 1/2 cup oil3 tablespoons baking powder1 teaspoon of vanilla extract1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar Directions- Beat the eggs white with half sugar and cream of tartar. Until stiff In a separate bowl…

SPINACH BOYOS

SPINACH BOYOS

Filling 2 1/2 pounds spinach, finely chopped1 cup crumbled feta cheese1/2 cup finely grated Romano or parmesan cheese3 tablespoons flourCombine all the ingredients. Dough 1 cup warm water1 teaspoon yeast1 teaspoon sugar1 tablespoon vegetable or avocado oil1 teaspoon saltAll purpose flour1 egg beaten for egg wash Preheat oven to 400°F.In a large bowl, combine the…

Veal Stew

Veal Stew

1/4 cup olive oil 2 leeks, washed and finely sliced1 large carrot, diced2 celery stalks, diced1 parsnip, diced1 pound boneless veal shank, cut into cubes1 tablespoon chicken consommé powder(or one cube )1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 cup white wine1 cup warm water with 1 teaspoon saffron 1 large zucchini, diced1 cup cilantro or parsley, finely chopped  In a large…

Ahi Tuna Wonton

Ahi Tuna Wonton

1 lb sushi grade ahi tuna1 package wonton wrappers Oil for fryingOr Tortilla Chips  Marinade:  1/4 cup soy sauce2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons honey1 garlic clove, crushed1 inch fresh ginger, minced1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes Fresh ground black pepper  Garnish 1 ripe avocado, diced3 stalks green scallions, finely slicedMicro greens  Prepare marinade in a medium bowl.Slice tuna…

Tortilla de Patata

Tortilla de Patata

1 large onion, finely diced8 large Russet potatoes, peeled and quartered1 dozen eggs1 bunch fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped1 tablespoon turmeric 2tablespoons consommé (optional)Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste1/2 cup vegetable oil, for frying Squeeze of lemon, for serving Boil potatoes and coarsely mash, leaving a few chunks. Preheat oven to 400 F.Sauté onions…

Rachel’s Chocolate Berry Cups

Rachel’s Chocolate Berry Cups

1 punnet strawberries, washed and drained2 cups mixed berries, blueberries,blackberries or raspberries, washed anddrained1/4 cup orange liqueur, or 2 tablespoonsorange blossom water24 ounces dark chocolate chips1 package silver foil cupcake holders1 container whipped cream Place berries in a bowl with liqueur and marinate.Over low to medium heat, melt chocolate in a double boiler.Using a spoon,…

Stuffed Artichokes

Stuffed Artichokes

2 14ounce bags of artichoke hearts Meatball stuffing 2 pounds ground beef1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped2 large eggs1/2 cup potato starch1/2 teaspoon coriander1/2 teaspoon cumin1/2 teaspoon nutmeg1/2 teaspoon allspiceSalt and pepper Tomato Broth 1/3 cup avocado oil1 large onion, diced3 stalks celery, finely chopped8 cloves garlic 1 lemon, washed and quartered1 cup water1 14.5 ounce…

Delicious Poppyseed Pound Cake

Delicious Poppyseed Pound Cake

2 cups of all purpose flour, plus extra for dusting1/2 teaspoon of baking soda1/4 teaspoon of salt3/4 cup of unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing1 cup of sugar1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract3 large eggs, at room temperature1/2 cup of sour cream, at room temperature2 tbsp lemon juice1 tsp lemon rind 1/2 cup…