Anise & Sesame Cookies

These fragrant Spanish cookies, tortas (cakes) de aceite y anís, remind me of my grandmother’s anise biscuits, Reifat. I often wonder about their origin. Did the exiled Jews brought them to Morocco from Spain? Alternatively, did the Moors introduce them…

Plant-based Creamy Chana Masala 

Vegan-boy wants chana masala. Teenage-boy prefers something with Korma sauce. Helicopter-dad doesn’t care. He’ll eat anything. Although he prefers to avoid chickpeas. They make him gussy. Neurotic-mom is up for Indian but not korma. It’s too sweet for her. To…

Vegan Chocolate Bar Topped With Granola

Vegan boy complains that there’s nothing sweet in the house. He threatens to go to CVS to buy candy. Neurotic mom says “Wait! Don’t go, I’ll make something”. Quickly she melts a bar of Trader’s Joe’s 72% dark chocolate and…

Roasted Cauliflower Over Vegan Yogurt

Summer, you’re hot, toasty, sweaty, smelly, and draining. Yet, I miss you in the winter and welcome you with open arms in the spring, You and this delicious and light cauliflower dish. This recipe works also with labneh or lemony…

Lemony Tahini Dip with Tomato

Although I grew up in Israel and was familiar with tahini, the first time I had tahini as a dip, rather than as the sauce that moistens your falafel, was when I moved to New York in 1997. My friend-sister,…

Schug, Herb & Garlic Spicy Sauce

When you have some 1 or more fresh or wrinkly jalapeños that you’re not sure what to do with, make this yemenite chimichurri. It would last for a month and you can use it during the week  on avocado or…

Smoky Bell Peppers

The aroma of burnt peppers always reminds me of home, my mother’s house in the Negev, the desert of Israel. Every Friday noon my mother burns, directly on the flames, green hot peppers for Matbucha, spicy cooked tomato salad and…

Dairy-Free Orange Pancakes

My boys asked  if I can make normal pancakes for a change. Normal as with gluten and eggs. This is my most normal pancake recipe. With a small twist but as fluffy  and light as classic pancakes. No one complained.…