Greek Yogurt Donut Poppers

On Hanukkah, it’s customary to eat fried foods like jelly donuts to remember the miracle of the oil that lasted for 8 days in the Holy Temple and to commemorate the Maccabees victory over the Greeks. In keeping with this Jewish tradition, I developed a quick and easy yeast-free donut recipe that incorporates Greek yogurt! I know that making yeasted donuts can be time consuming, so these poppers use baking powder as the leavening agent, and they come together in minutes!  Made with just Domino™ granulated sugar, Greek yogurt, eggs, vanilla, flour and baking powder, the poppers are pleasantly sweet and vanilla scented with a crispy exterior and fluffy, cakey interior. You can roll them in granulated sugar, or dust with powdered sugar and serve with raspberry jam, if desired.

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Greek Yogurt Donut Poppers
makes 18 poppers

2 cups all purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp kosher salt
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 cup milk
1 large egg
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups canola oil
½ cup granulated sugar, for coating
raspberry jam optional

Method:

In a cast iron or heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the oil to 325 degrees.

In a small mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder and salt, whisk to incorporate. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, milk, egg, sugar and vanilla. Whisk to combine. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix with a spoon until a batter forms. Using a cookie scoop or 2 spoons, drop small balls of batter into the oil, taking care not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for approximately 3 minutes, turning the poppers over until evenly browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.  Immediately transfer to a bowl of sugar and toss to coat. Serve immediately, with jam, if desired.

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Okonomiyaki Latkes

I think I like making Okonomiyaki just so I can say the name. It’s so fun, amiright!! It wasn’t necessarily in the plans but I had some cabbage in the fridge (when do I not?) and I was craving something savory and pancakey so I threw it all together and it was everything I was craving and more!

Traditional Japanese Okonomiyaki is basically a kitchen-sink savory pancake with loads of veggies and proteins thrown in, binded together with a batter, fried to crispy perfection, and topped with Japanese mayo, sweet sauce and lots of other fun things like pickled ginger, nori, bonito flakes and more. There are no rules here, have fun with it and make it your own!

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Okonomiyaki Latkes

1/4 of small head red cabbage, Finely shredded on a mandolin
1/4 of small head green cabbage, Finely shredded on a mandolin
3 scallions, chopped
2 eggs + 2 egg whites
3/4 c Panko seasoning
1/2 tsp umami seasoning (or sub onion soup mix)
Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or meunster
1 tsp white sesame seeds
1 tsp black sesame seeds
Grapeseed + a little sesame oil, for frying
Toppings: spicy Mayo, sweet sauce, nori flakes, sesame seeds

Mix up the ingredients and give it a good massage to break down the cabbage. Let the cabbage sit for 10-20 minutes to wilt down a bit then fry!

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Beef Nigiri

If you’re into sushi (most kosher-observant Jews are – that’s why they have a sushi stand in every kosher pizza store!), chances are you’ve had nigiri – a mound of sweet sushi rice topped with a slice of raw fish.

Omakase is all the rage these days – a form of Japanese dining where an experienced sushi chef serves a curated menu of sushi – ranging from nigiri, to sashimi and hand rolls. Onigiri is always my favorite – the sweet rice and fresh fish simply melt on your tongue.

So, I decided to make a meat-lovers version, using Denver steak that I could slice thinly to resemble raw fish. And to take it over the top, I made a simple Korean glaze in the pan drippings that I brush over the meat for an added touch.

These little nuggets of deliciousness are easy to put together and just perfect for holiday parties and get-togethers.

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Beef Nigiri

2 cups sushi rice
3 cups water
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 strips Denver steak
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 1/2 tbsp grapeseed oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 heaping tbsp gochujang
Juice of 1 lime
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tbsp honey
Optional toppings: Sliced jalapeño, toasted sesame seeds, spicy mayo, sweet sauce, micro greens

Method:

Rinse the sushi rice in a fine mesh sieve until the water runs clear. Add the rice and water to a sauce pan, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Keep covered and steam for 10 minutes.

In a small bowl combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt. For the mixture over the rice and stir to incorporate.

Using wet hands, or hands that are moisten with a bit of sesame oil, divided sushi right into small torpedo shaped mounds.

Are heat oil in a cast iron or heavy bottom skillet until shimmering. Season to Denver steak with salt and pepper and Sierra over high heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Rest for 10 minutes and slice thinly.

In the same pan that you seared the meat, With the heat turned off, add the garlic, gochujang, lime juice, soy sauce and honey. Whisk over medium heat until thickened.

Spread the sliced meat over the mountains of sushi rice and brush with the pan sauce. Top with your garnishes of choice.

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Moroccan Chicken Tagine For Amit

I originally created this recipe as part of the #recipesforreturn campaign in honor of AMIT ESTHER BAT ILANA BUSKILA who was taken hostage on October 7th.

It meant so much to me to cook this recipe for Amit, giving her a voice, and sharing her beauty and talent with the world. I used my tagine from Morrocco (for the very first time!) and the ras el hanout and saffron that I brought from from my trip to honor Amit’s Morroccan roots.

Amit is 27 years old and is a budding fashion stylist from Ashdod, who loves to cook and even filmed an audition for Masterchef shortly before she was captured. She loves to go out with her friends and is known for her funloving personality. Please take the time to cook this recipe in Amit’s honor, and to continue to share the voices of the hostages.

Unfortunately, the IDF confirmed that Amit was killed on October 7th near the Supernova music festival, and her body was taken captive by Hamas. It was recovered on May 17th and returned to Israel, where she was laid to rest in Giryat Gat. Rest in peace Amit.

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Moroccan Chicken Tagine For Amit

2 tbsp ras el hanout
4 tbsp olive oil
4 chicken thighs
1 Spanish onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 preserved lemon peel, minced
1 cup pitted green olives
1 cup sliced Turkish apricots
1/2 tsp saffron , ground and steeped in 1/4 cup water
8oz crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 cup chicken stock
2 cinnamon sticks
1 bunch cilantro, divided
salt and pepper, to taste
couscous, for serving

Method:

In a large bowl, mix the ras el hanout with 2 tbsp olive oil to form a paste. Rub the paste over the chicken thighs. Heat the remaining 2 tbsp oil in a tagine or dutch oven and sear the chicken to brown on both sides. Remove from the pot and set aside. Add the onions and saute until translucent. Add the garlic and preserved lemon and saute until fragrant. Add the olives, apricots, saffron water, crushed tomatoes. stock, cinnamon sticks, cilantro and salt and pepper to taste, Mix the sauce to combine and return the chicken to the tagine along with their drippings. Simmer for 1 hour. Add chopped cilantro and serve over couscous.

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Moroccan Fish Balls
6-Pice Moroccan Stew

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Pumpkin Chili


There’s nothing like a warm winter chili on a fall night to get into your bones and fill you up from the inside out. I was bored of my regular chili, so I went with autumn spices and flavors like canned pumpkin, maple and cinnamon for a lovely twist. Go crazy with your toppings and have some fun!

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Pumpkin chili

2 tbsp olive oil
1 Spanish onion, diced small
1 jalapeño, minced (remove seeds and ribs)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 (15oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 (14oz) cans petite diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 (15oz) can pumpkin puree
1 1/2 tbsp pure maple syrup
2 tsp brown sugar
2 cups vegetable broth
For serving: cilantro, red onion, avocado, cheese

Method:

Heat the olive oil in a medium pot and add onions, jalapeño and garlic. Saute until translucent. Add the spices and continue to saute until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and saute for another 1-2 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, pumpkin, maple syrup, brown sugar and stock and bring to a simmer. Cook, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Top with your favorite toppings!

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Baklava Pumpkin Pie
Baharat Pumpkin Butter
Mini Pumpkin Pies For A Crowd
Cookie Butter Pumpkin Pie
Beer Battered Pumpkin Rings

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