Someone's in the Kitchen with Amy

 La Rabinessa

            Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of expanding my knowledge of the Jewish community.  I was invited to visit the home of Liora Kelman, a most charming and beautiful lady.  La Rabinessa, as she is known, means the Rabbis wife.  The expression, ‘beauty is as beauty does’ fits this lady to a T.

             Speaking of beauty, she is the author of a most elegantly illustrated cookbook.  Liora and her mother collaborated on this remarkable book together.  Unfortunately for us it is written in Hebrew and Ladino.  Ladino is a language of Jewish and Spanish heritage spoken by Sefaradi Jews and was brought with them from Spain when they were expelled from their country.  Currently, the cookbook is sold in Israel where her mother lives, but Liora is negotiating to have the book sold in the Israel Book Shop in Brookline.  Liora is going to translate some of her recipes for Someone’s in the Kitchen with Amy. 

             All the recipes in this cookbook were handed down within families from generation to generation by word of mouth.  These families were from several nations scattered throughout Europe.  There were no written recipes such as we are used to today.  No one cup of this or three tablespoons of that.  Liora had to experiment with ingredients in order to make measurements work - like a chemist experimenting until precisely the right combination made everything taste just right.  It was a labor of love.

             It was extremely important the food be photographed for the most authentic presentation possible.   To that end Liora wanted serving plates from Turkey and Morocco as well as other countries so her meals would be pictured on dishes from their country of origin.  You’d think she would need to search antique shops or auction houses, but of all places, she found her perfect dishes at . . . T.  J. Maxx. 

             La Rabinessa is a lady devoted to and has the deepest respect for our parents and grandparents as they gave us our culture, customs and our traditional beliefs that have made us the kind of people we are today.  They are often a forgotten generation.  We have a moral obligation to care for this generation of older folks, many of whom may have lost family and friends and sometimes are living under difficult financial circumstances.

             With this generation in mind, La Rabinessa, Liora has created BEYOND OUR SHORE, right here on our own beautiful Lynn Shore.  Come and explore the world; experience and learn new things and make new friends.

             With Lynn’s new Mayor Judith Flannagan Kennedy, La Rabinessa, has found a soul mate.  The Mayor has been able to secure a small sum of money, which has helped Liora finance her program BEYOND OUR SHORE.  All retired ladies and gentlemen on the North Shore are invited to join as Liora prepares a delightful meal for folks who attend her hands-on cooking projects.  BEYOND OUR SHORE also includes music, entertainment, arts and crafts all for only $10.  SAVE THE DATE – MONDAY, MAY 21st you will experience the culture and cuisine of The Greek Islands.  11:00 am – 2:00 pm.  RSVP by MONDAY, May 7th

To be held at:

Congregation Ahabat Sholom

151 Ocean Street, Lynn

RSVP to Nancy in the office - 781-593-9255

April 14th I was invited to join as BEYONE OUR SHORE visited Sunny Spain, without a passport, I might add.  While finishing touches on dinner was under way, some folks took part in arts and crafts with a Spanish theme, like fan decorating or castanet painting.  Others were helping in the kitchen with those last minute jobs so we could enjoy the delightful food of Mediterranean style.  These are Spanish dishes you will enjoy if you try some of these lovely recipes.  We were also privileged to hear Professor Gloria Joyce Ascher of Tufts Universary who spoke to the group of Ladino, the language of Jewish and Spanish heritage.  The program ended with the most glorious guitar player, Aaron Larget-Caplan.  He was absolutely spellbinding. 

             Next month on May 21st you can expect a great time visiting the Greek Islands right there on Ocean Street.  Hopefully, there will be many more adventures waiting in the coming months with La Ravinessa.  If you feel lonely, this will give you an opportunity to experience new and sensational adventures with new friends.  I’m excited, how about you?

Here are a few of the recipes from La Ravinessa’s cookbook which she was kind enough to translate for Someone’s in the Kitchen with Amy. 

 TOMATO ANCHOVY BREAD

1 Small loaf of bread, sliced – I like to use a nice quality crusty bread & slice as I watched Liora do

12 oz Cherry tomatoes, chopped

¼ cup olive oil

2 oz Anchovy fillets

Salt

Sprinkle bread with tomatoes, drizzle with oil and salt.  Garnish with anchovies.  Delicious. 

 HAZELNUT SOUP

4 ½ cups broth (chicken)      6 Tbsp. Olive oil

3.5 oz crushed hazelnuts       salt & pepper

3 leeks, chopped                    4 Tbsp. heavy cream         

½ sweet onion, chopped

Chives and chopped hazelnuts for decorations

Sauté onions and leeks in oil.  Add the hazelnuts and broth.  Cook for 10 minutes then puree.  Decorate with chopped chives and hazelnuts.

 PISTO

¼ cup olive oil              1 green pepper, chopped

2 potatoes, cubed          1 eggplant, cubed

1 onion, chopped          4 tomatoes, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

Salt & pepper

Stir fry all ingredients until potatoes are soft.

FLAN

4 eggs & 2 egg yolks                 lemon peel

150 grams sugar                        pinch salt

½ liter milk                              extra 4 Tbsp. sugar

Mix all together except 4 Tbsp. sugar.  Melt to caramel the 4 Tbsp. sugar.  Remove from heat and pour into the bottom of an ovenproof glass dish.  Pour the mix on top.  Put the bowl into a baking dish full of water and bake in oven for approximately 2 hours until firm.  Cool.  Keep refrigerated.  Reverse upside down before serving.