Joan's Kosher Kitchen
Cooking with the flavors of Israel
In November 2008, CJN Food Writer Joan Kekst took part in the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland's mission to Israel. While visiting the sites of various Federation-funded programs, she met with Israelis aided by the programs and asked them to share their favorite recipes.
MAKLOUBA – Meat
12 to 14 pieces drumsticks and thighs
2T vegetable oil
2 carrots, scraped and sliced
Kosher salt, pepper to taste
Cinnamon, sumac, zahtar to taste
Vegetables
2 large sweet potato, peeled and cut in chunks
½ head of cauliflower, separated
2 small zucchini, sliced lengthwise
2 carrots, scraped and sliced
1 small eggplant, peeled and sliced
2C long grain white rice
Clean and skin chicken; season to taste with sat and pepper, set aside.Heat oil in a large stockpot.Sauté onions until golden; add chicken pieces, herbs of your choice and saute about 7 – 8 minutes per side.Remove chicken to a clean pot.Add 3-1/2C water or chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
Meanwhile, saute vegetable pieces with salt, pepper and spices of your choice, in the first pot.Add oil as needed.Remove vegetables and place on top of chicken' be sure liquid covers.Cover pot and simmer on very low heat about 20 minutes.
Soak rice in cold water.Add rice, cover pot and continue to simmer another 20 minutes.About halfway through, poke some holes in the rice and allow steam to escape.When rice is cooked, remove from heat and let rest 10 minutes.
Place a tray that is considerably larger than the uncovered pot on top;firmly tap the top of the pot.Lift the pot off and all the chicken and vegetables to slip out.Mix them on the tray if you wish.Serve immediately.10 or more portions.This dish can be made with lamb or beef.
12 to 14 pieces drumsticks and thighs
2T vegetable oil
2 carrots, scraped and sliced
Kosher salt, pepper to taste
Cinnamon, sumac, zahtar to taste
Vegetables
2 large sweet potato, peeled and cut in chunks
½ head of cauliflower, separated
2 small zucchini, sliced lengthwise
2 carrots, scraped and sliced
1 small eggplant, peeled and sliced
2C long grain white rice
Clean and skin chicken; season to taste with sat and pepper, set aside.Heat oil in a large stockpot.Sauté onions until golden; add chicken pieces, herbs of your choice and saute about 7 – 8 minutes per side.Remove chicken to a clean pot.Add 3-1/2C water or chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
Meanwhile, saute vegetable pieces with salt, pepper and spices of your choice, in the first pot.Add oil as needed.Remove vegetables and place on top of chicken' be sure liquid covers.Cover pot and simmer on very low heat about 20 minutes.
Soak rice in cold water.Add rice, cover pot and continue to simmer another 20 minutes.About halfway through, poke some holes in the rice and allow steam to escape.When rice is cooked, remove from heat and let rest 10 minutes.
Place a tray that is considerably larger than the uncovered pot on top;firmly tap the top of the pot.Lift the pot off and all the chicken and vegetables to slip out.Mix them on the tray if you wish.Serve immediately.10 or more portions.This dish can be made with lamb or beef.
Recipes
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First course: ISHA
On previous trips to Israel, I had tasted and loved many of the unique Middle East flavors. At home when I tried to re-create these dishes, they were merely a limp reminder of flavors that had fully awakened every imaginable taste buds.We Americans are ever anxious to try exotic foods and I am always looking for exciting menus for my cooking classes.
On a tour with the Cleveland Jewish Community Federation, I requested an introduction to some of the unique ethnic groups.Cleveland's JCF Israeli partnership with Isha, (woman) I was able to provide an opportunity to visit the community center in Abu Gosh.
The Arab village of Abu Gosh established in 1520, is named after the Abu Gosh family and most of the villagers claim to be their descendents. The villagers are well known for the friendly, close relationship they have with the Israelis.In the1948War of Independence, the Arabs of Abu Gosh remained neutral; it was the only village in the area to survive intact.
Abu Ghosh according to my Israeli relatives, has the best hummus and Middle Eastern restaurants in the country which many famous Israelis visit.The Abu Gosh Music Festival is held twice a year, in the fall and late spring, with musical ensembles and choirs from Israel and abroad performing in and around the churches in Abu Gosh.
Read more of this article here:
Second course: PACT
First, some history about the Ethiopian family with whom I cooked: Hiwan Picado’s life turned tragic 27 years ago when soldiers attacked the Jews in her tiny Ethiopian village. Her husband and others were killed. Afterwards, Picado and her eight children joined most of the remaining villagers on the arduous journey by foot to the Sudan border. Only half the large group survived the three-month trek through the Sudan desert.
At the makeshift port, Picado was immediately confronted by a soldier who asked for one of her children, or else they would all be killed. “Kill us,” she answered the guard defiantly. Shocked by the determined woman, he could not kill them. Picado’s family finally gained access to the waiting ship to become part of Operation Moses, which relocated them to Israel.
Hard years of adjustment followed. I met Picado and her daughter Miri Picado-Aharony, now age 30, in Beersheva. Picado-Aharony and her husband work and also attend classes at Ben Gurion University, where she will soon get her master’s in social work. Picado, who lives in a nearby apartment, babysits for her 6-month-old grandson.
Picado-Aharony’s success is due in large part to PACT, Parents And Children Together, a program co-sponsored by Cleveland’s Jewish Community Federation helping Ethiopian families adapt to Israel. Picado-Aharony now works for PACT, helping new groups of Ethiopians assimilate in Israeli society.
Picado is happy to recreate Tigret (a high class) Ethiopian Jewish holidays by preparing her favorite foods.
Read more of this article here:
To view a movie slide show about Joan's Israel Experiences,
click here.
On previous trips to Israel, I had tasted and loved many of the unique Middle East flavors. At home when I tried to re-create these dishes, they were merely a limp reminder of flavors that had fully awakened every imaginable taste buds.We Americans are ever anxious to try exotic foods and I am always looking for exciting menus for my cooking classes.
On a tour with the Cleveland Jewish Community Federation, I requested an introduction to some of the unique ethnic groups.Cleveland's JCF Israeli partnership with Isha, (woman) I was able to provide an opportunity to visit the community center in Abu Gosh.
The Arab village of Abu Gosh established in 1520, is named after the Abu Gosh family and most of the villagers claim to be their descendents. The villagers are well known for the friendly, close relationship they have with the Israelis.In the1948War of Independence, the Arabs of Abu Gosh remained neutral; it was the only village in the area to survive intact.
Abu Ghosh according to my Israeli relatives, has the best hummus and Middle Eastern restaurants in the country which many famous Israelis visit.The Abu Gosh Music Festival is held twice a year, in the fall and late spring, with musical ensembles and choirs from Israel and abroad performing in and around the churches in Abu Gosh.
Read more of this article here:
Second course: PACT
First, some history about the Ethiopian family with whom I cooked: Hiwan Picado’s life turned tragic 27 years ago when soldiers attacked the Jews in her tiny Ethiopian village. Her husband and others were killed. Afterwards, Picado and her eight children joined most of the remaining villagers on the arduous journey by foot to the Sudan border. Only half the large group survived the three-month trek through the Sudan desert.
At the makeshift port, Picado was immediately confronted by a soldier who asked for one of her children, or else they would all be killed. “Kill us,” she answered the guard defiantly. Shocked by the determined woman, he could not kill them. Picado’s family finally gained access to the waiting ship to become part of Operation Moses, which relocated them to Israel.
Hard years of adjustment followed. I met Picado and her daughter Miri Picado-Aharony, now age 30, in Beersheva. Picado-Aharony and her husband work and also attend classes at Ben Gurion University, where she will soon get her master’s in social work. Picado, who lives in a nearby apartment, babysits for her 6-month-old grandson.
Picado-Aharony’s success is due in large part to PACT, Parents And Children Together, a program co-sponsored by Cleveland’s Jewish Community Federation helping Ethiopian families adapt to Israel. Picado-Aharony now works for PACT, helping new groups of Ethiopians assimilate in Israeli society.
Picado is happy to recreate Tigret (a high class) Ethiopian Jewish holidays by preparing her favorite foods.
Read more of this article here:
To view a movie slide show about Joan's Israel Experiences,
click here.
