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Italian Wedding Soup with Israeli Couscous

Red bowl full of Italian wedding soup with veggies meatballs and Israeli couscous

This is one of my favorite soups to make, especially when it starts to get cold; it tastes like a giant cozy bowl of comfort. It’s also a one-pot meal, my version having little turkey meatballs, Israeli couscous, and lots of veggies. Make it before Shabbat to last throughout the weekend and into the start of your week!

FOR THE MEATBALLS:
1lb. ground turkey
1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup nutritional yeast or Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
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FOR THE SOUP:
1 cup Israeli couscous
8 cups chicken broth
1-2 lemons
3 carrots
3 celery ribs
1 onion
Half bunch of dinosaur kale
2 cloves garlic
Handful dill
Chili flakes to taste

Crispy Rice Cakes with Three Sauces

Plate of crispy rice cakes

Jewish food traditions are inspired by the regions throughout the world. Sephardic Jewish cuisine, including North African Jewish dishes, is influenced by neighbors along the Mediterranean. Rice cakes are traditionally included in North African Shabbat meals, with aromatic spices including turmeric, saffron, ginger, cumin, and cinnamon. 

RICE CAKES
3 cups basmati rice, cooked and cooled
½ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon sweet paprika
Salt, to taste
1 whole lemon
2 eggs
4 tablespoons cooking oil
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PARSLEY POMEGRANATE HERB SAUCE
1 bunch fresh parsley, curly or flat leaf
2 garlic cloves
1 pomegranate
1 lemon
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt, to taste
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CUCUMBER MINT YOGURT
1 cup plain yogurt, preferably Greek
1 English cucumber
2 garlic cloves
1 lemon
2-3 sprigs fresh mint
Salt and pepper, to taste
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MATBOUCHA
2 tablespoons cooking oil
3 garlic cloves
1 small yellow onion, chopped
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon sweet paprika
2 roasted red bell peppers (from a can or jar), sliced
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
Salt, to taste
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes

The Frozen Persian: A Boozy Purim Treat

Chocolatey drink with syrup drizzled down the inside of the glass
Purim is a happy holiday that affirms Jewish survival and continuity throughout history. This frozen drink, named for the place where the Purim story occurs, is pure decadence. L’chaim! 
½ oz. Baileys
½ oz. Kahlua
½ oz. vodka
2 oz. half & half cream
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 cup ice, crushed
1 oz. chocolate syrup

The Persian Fling: A Purim Cocktail

Coffee in a white mug with foam and nutmeg on top
Purim is a happy holiday that affirms Jewish survival and continuity throughout history. This cocktail, named for the place where the Purim story occurred, is luscious, warm, and cozy. L’chaim! 
¾ oz. Grand Marnier
¾ oz. amaretto
2 ½ oz. steamed milk
1 ½ oz. espresso
Dash of nutmeg

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