Cupcakes may be a bit cliche, at least in the States, but they’re still fun. Irresistible, even. It was a friend’s birthday – her thirtieth to be exact – and so cupcakes were in order. Continue reading “Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache Frosting”
Tag: Recipe
Sumac Skirt Steak with Port-Pomegranate Reduction
I never thought about it before moving to Israel, but different countries butcher animals in different ways. I’ve already talked about what a struggle it was to find brisket. Luckily in response to that post someone told me about Shiri. Then Arnaud from Chez Eugene told me about Shiri. I knew I had to get to Shiri. Continue reading “Sumac Skirt Steak with Port-Pomegranate Reduction”
Pasta with Peas and Bacon
I had bacon in the fridge that needed to be used. I had frozen peas in the freezer leftover from samosas. I had, as always, pasta. I even had a few tablespoons of heavy cream leftover from a ganache that I’ll tell you about later. Have you ever been to a less-than-authentic Italian restaurant and ordered Spaghetti Carbonara? Well, for some reason these places tend to insist that Carbonara is a heavy cream-based sauce with bacon or ham and peas. Not always terrible, but disappointing when you know what good Carbonara tastes like. And for some reason, that dish became my inspiration for the evening. But I wanted to make it good. Continue reading “Pasta with Peas and Bacon”
Garlicky Bok Choy and tofu
I’ve been missing leafy green vegetables here. I haven’t been able to find kale, and while beets are ubiquitous beet greens are elusive. When I noticed bok choy at the market I snatched it right up. A member of the cabbage family, bok choy is a powerhouse of vitamins. It is low in fat, calories, and carbs and high in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, calcium and dietary fiber. There’s also some potassium and B6 in there. Plus I happen to think it tastes great. I prepared it in a super simple, garlicky stir fry with tofu and served it with steamed Jasmine rice for a complete meal. Continue reading “Garlicky Bok Choy and tofu”
15 Pounds of Garlic Later…
I’ve been a delinquent blogger. I haven’t quite managed to get back on track since returning from our Central European vacation. There was catching up to do, articles to write, an apartment to clean, holidays to celebrate, and a slight malaise to top it all off. Evan has had off this week which means all we want to do is play. The beach was calling. Even now I am coated in sunscreen, ready to hit the shores of Ashkelon despite a looming deadline. Continue reading “15 Pounds of Garlic Later…”
Health Salad, A Second Avenue Deli Favorite
It is Yom Ha’atzmaut, or Israeli Independence day, and as I write this fireworks are exploding outside my window. For Israelis this is a major day, something they still remember and actively fight for. Sure the Fourth of July is big in the US, but there’s no one alive who remembers the American Revolution; that’s the stuff of history books. Israel is only 63 years old today. Continue reading “Health Salad, A Second Avenue Deli Favorite”
Poached Pears, An Elegant Treat
I’ve struggled with my oven in Israel. It’s electric, it’s in Celsius, but more than anything it’s uneven. A cake comes out perfectly cooked on the outside, and completely raw in the middle. I can produce good banana bread, and I’ve even managed to pump out a decent cake, but for the most part my oven is unreliable. So I’ve been trying to expand my dessert repertoire beyond baked goods. Continue reading “Poached Pears, An Elegant Treat”
At the Market: Fresh Almonds
As I write this, it is Easter Sunday in Budapest and the church bells are ringing. I’ve been away from Israel for 10 days so I don’t honestly know whether fresh almonds are even still at the market. Two weeks ago, they were there. Not in Be’er Sheva, of course, but in Jerusalem (and I hear Tel Aviv). They were in such abundance it was easy to forget that their season typically lasts a few short weeks (the Almond Board claims they are available April through June). Somehow, fresh almonds seem appropriate for Easter. Rebirth and all that. Continue reading “At the Market: Fresh Almonds”
Challah French Toast
Monday evening marks the start of Pesach, or Passover, and with it comes a week without yeast or leavened bread. In New York it’s business as usual. But in Israel, the supermarket supplies of flour, bread, and chips began to dwindle the first week of April. Bars won’t serve beer. Take a moment to process that one. And observant individuals thoroughly clean their homes (sort of an imposed Spring cleaning) and rid the kitchen of any chametz, or items not deemed Kosher for Passover. Continue reading “Challah French Toast”
Marak Kubbeh Adom, a Taste of Iraqi-Jewish Tradition
Prior to moving to Israel, I had never had Iraqi-Jewish cuisine. But in the brimming aisles of Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda market there is an Iraqi-Jewish enclave with tons of restaurants serving traditional fare. Kubbeh (also called kibbe) is one of those dishes. It’s beautiful, it’s addictive, and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever had. Sort of a beet and beef-stuffed matzoh ball soup. Continue reading “Marak Kubbeh Adom, a Taste of Iraqi-Jewish Tradition”