Indian Style Yellow beans
We, my immediate and extended family and I, live on side dishes. Instead of making a main dish with a side dish, we make two or three vegetables dishes with a condiment on the side or a bunch of mezzes…
Moroccan Carrot Salad With Harissa
Carrot isn’t the most exciting vegetable, right? But when you steam it lightly, to soften it just slightly, then mix it with homemade harissa (or store bought) and lemon juice it becomes the sultan of the garden. So make a…
Eggplant, Shallot & Scallion Stew
I know that many of you don’t like eggplants, but you know how I always say, “you must try it again and again until your palate is hooked.” Especially when the eggplants are roasted in a Dutch oven for an…
Roasted Eggplant, cauliflower, Zucchini & pumpkin Over Couscous
In the hot summer days, when I can’t eat anything but vegetables, I like to roast any vegetables I have in hand and serve them with some sort of a grain, such as rice or couscous, cilantro parsley or dill,…
Simple Green Hot 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…
Potato Salad With Caramelized Onion
Potato salads come in all shapes and sizes, and I love every single one of them. However, if I had to pick a favorite, it would be this soul gratifying right here. This humble, easy-to-make salad is an absolute flavor…
Toasted Israeli Couscous With Pine Nuts, Currants & Parsley
A non-israeli friend of friends made this dish for Fourth of July, while we were visiting them in Montana. She told me that if she had known that we were Israeli, she would have made something else. I am glad…
Leftover Rice With Caramelized Onions, Toasted Almonds & Herbs
I usually make this when I have leftovers of basmati rice. If you don’t have rice leftovers, it takes 12 minutes to cook basmati (but make sure you wash it thoroughly). You can make it with one type or bunch…
Smoky Butternut Squash, Eggplant & Bell Pepper Salad
I made this dish for lunch with friends and served it with hummus, tahini and burnt peppers and everybody loved it, except for my son, Leo, who doesn’t know yet how much he loves eggplants. Alex, my younger son, who…
Couscous With Caramelized Onions & Toasted Almonds
My older sister, Liraz, gave me the recipe. I love how she makes it but she lives 6,745 miles away from me. God knows, when will I be able to fly again. This is a great side dish. The other…
Crispy Smashed Yams
Many times I look at the vegetables and let them tell me what to do with them. This is exactly what I did with the Japanese yams that I bought in the Korean supermarket (They were organic, small and cute…
Beet Carpaccio
This is the kind of dish I consider humble yet smart. Where the ingredients speak for themselves.
1-Hour Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
I like to make this lentil shepherd’s pie when a vegan friend comes over for dinner—it impresses and satisfies EVERYONE. People can’t believe my mashed potatoes don’t have any milk or butter – that’s the magic of olive oil and…
Sweet Potato Falafel
My mother taught me how to cook but my father taught me to improvise, not to stick to the script, not to let anything stop me from cooking. Even if I’m missing some ingredients. You can always make a dish…
Parsnip Dip Topped With Croutons
In this recipe, I make hummus with parsnips instead of chickpeas. This makes it a great alternative for people who cannot eat legumes. However, this dip would appeal to anyone who appreciates earthy and unique flavors. Parsnips and turnips are…
Quick & Easy Fennel Salad
If you’re one of those people who love anise-y flavors, there is no question you are going to love this salad. But if you’re not, then I kind of feel sorry for you. Sorry, but hopeful too, if you’re willing…
Smoky Cauliflower Salad
Remember the days when cauliflower wasn’t popular? When she was considered boring? When no one knew what to do with her? Well those days are over, a decade ago. Now she is a mega celebrity that everyone wants to cook…
Roasted Red Cabbage
Since winter arrived I’ve been mostly braising or roasting veggies for lunch and dinner. I don’t know why but I can’t think of any other cooking methods when I am cold. It isn’t as cold in LA as it is…
Upside-Down rice With Vegetables
Years ago, when my boys were little, I chatted with a Bedouin mom in the playground in my hometown in the Negev, the desert of Israel. I asked her if she cooks and she said she did, everyday. So I…