Blackberry Cheesecake Hamantashen

 

Happy Purim readers!

May I present you with my blackberry cheesecake hamantashen!  These “hummies” are gluten-free, keto-friendly, simple-to-make and delicious – trust me!  If you want to make these completely dairy-free, you can substitute with parve cream cheese in the filling.  The dough is dairy-free since I used coconut oil, but you can definitely substitute with butter!

Savory Hamantashen?

Everywhere you look, there are new and exciting recipes popping up for Purim, and looks that that savory is beating out sweet this year.

A few years ago, my mother-in-law hosted a “Rosh Chodesh Adar” party for her friends and she made crowd-pleasing savory hamantashen filled with ground beef and onions. The dough was crispy with a chewy center, the meat was sweet yet savory, and the onions were caramelized to perfection. Gosh, now I’m getting hungry – and I don’t even eat meat!

While savory hamantashen have been hogging all the spotlight the last few years, I am going back to my roots.

A childhood classic

I remember my mom making hamantashen from scratch when I was a kid.  Of course, classics like poppy seed and apricot were always our go-to’s, but it was her strawberry cheesecake and chocolate peanut butter fillings that I remembered the most.  They were different, yet utterly delicious.

What about my mom’s berry cheesecake “hummies“?  They were the perfect bite – a creamy, slightly tart and sweet filling, surrounded by perfectly golden brown crispy dough in the familiar triangular-shaped Purim cookie.  This reminds me of home. 🙂

So thank you mom, for this year’s inspiration!

Wishing you all a Freilichin Purim!

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Blackberry Cheesecake Hamantashen
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 
Servings: 20 hamantashen (approx.)
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
Dough
  • 2 cups finely ground almond flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar (or sugar substitute, like Swerve) I like using the confectioner's Swerve in most recipes!
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp lemon juice add the zest of a half a lemon if you have a fresh lemon handy!
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 1/2 tbsp coconut oil, melted You can use butter instead, if you prefer
  • 1/8 tsp maple extract or vanilla extract if you have it!
Blackberry cheesecake filling
  • 1/4 cup fresh blackberries you can use frozen, just make sure they're thawed and drained of any excess liquid
  • 1/4 cup sugar (or sugar substitute, like Swerve)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional) I like ANYTHING tart, so feel free to omit if this would be too tart for you
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 oz. cream cheese, softened You can use parve cream cheese to make this recipe completely dairy-free!
Instructions

  1. To make the dough:  Add all ingredients into a large bowl and mix with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together. 

  2. If the dough it too wet, add a bit more almond flour; if it's too dry, add a few tablespoons of water and knead until it's no longer clumpy

  3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and stick in the fridge for 15 minutes.

  4. Meanwhile, make the filling:  In a medium-sized saucepan, add the blackberries, sugar (or Swerve, if using), lemon juice (if using), salt, and vanilla extract.

  5. Cook on medium heat until the ingredients come together and the blackberries have softened and released their juices and the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes.  Be careful not to overcook and burn the filling. 

  6. Let the filling cool for 10 minutes, then add to a bowl with the softened cream cheese and stir until fully mixed but you still see some "swirls"  - you don't want the mixture to be TOO mixed into one giant purple blob.

  7. Pre-heat the oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  8. Take the dough out of the fridge, and (using damp hands), roll out the dough into 1/4 inch thickness, and using a small glass, press in the dough to make circular cut-outs.

  9. Stretch the dough a bit (if it's too dry, add a touch more water), and add a tsp of filling right in the center of the circle - if ever in doubt, add less filling than you'd think - you don't want to over-stuff the hamantashen. 

  10. Fold up the sides to make a triangle and place on the parchment paper.

  11. Cook for about 15 minutes, until golden brown and crispy - but watch the oven carefully so they don't get too dark. 

  12. Let cool and devour!

*This post contains affiliate links. We at MYV (Meat Your Vegetables) earn a small commission if you purchase an item through one of those links, which allows us to continue bringing you great tasting food!  Cheers to that!

Winning the 3rd annual Adas Yeshurun Cholent Cookoff!

 

It probably seems a bit weird…a non-meat eater winning a cholent cookoff?  Well, that’s exactly what happened a few weeks ago when I beat out 5 other people at my synagogue’s 3rd annual Adas Yeshurun Cholent Cookoff!  Okay, it was

Wiinner Winner Cholent Dinner
Disclaimer – this photo was taken before the event, so no Sabbath laws were broken 🙂

ONLY 6 entries, but hey, I’ll take that trophy any day!

BACK TO THE BEGINNING

Maybe we need to start at the beginning, but what exactly is “cholent“?  A meat stew that simmers from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon, the star of Shabbat lunch – usually includes meat, potatoes, barley, beans and anything else in between, like garlic, onion, BBQ sauce – you name it!  Sky’s the limit!

I’ve entered our shul’s cookoff every year (and since my husband organizes it, I want to help support him).  The first year was “no bueno”.  I made a vegetarian one, because since I don’t eat meat, I figured why not set myself apart with a different cholent?  Maybe it’s a good thing to make something different, aye?  Uh, not so much.  Clearly not a crowd favorite, but no harm done.  I’ve learned my lesson.

Working Hard on he cholent
Ellie hard at work…or hardlyworkin’?

SECOND PLACE ‘AINT SO BAD!

The second year, I basically put in a half a cow.  I used all of the ingredients the shul (synagogue) provides to us – a can of peeled potatoes, kishka (sausage), meat, beans & barley (not too much), and some spices.  Added honey because I know the shul’s cholent is on the sweeter side and our congregants LOVE it (so much so, that the shul’s cholent won the first year of the competition, so they’re not allowed anymore to compete, it’s a bit of an unfair advantage!). And finally, BBQ sauce, and frozen pearl onions for extra sweetness (and much easier then chopping onions).

Last but not least, PASTRAMI!  Technically it’s the meat ends that I add in the cholent (but I guess the secret is officially out!).  Needless to say, I came in 2nd place last year.  A much improved placing, but I still had some work to do.

 

We have the meat for the cholent
She’s a beauty!

THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM!

Now THIS was my year to really shine and show the crowd my cooking chops.  It’s tricky though, making cholent in a big foil pan in the oven.  Nope, this isn’t your regular Shabbos cholent simmering away in your slow cooker.  The technique to winning this cook-off is all about how much water you put in.  And since it starts cooking Friday morning, the kitchen crew (usually my hubs) always adds in extra water so it doesn’t burn.

Do I measure my ingredients? Nah, I’ve gotten pretty good at eyeballing everything.

As for the rest of my secret ingredients?  Well, I’m not going to give all of them away, but I feel like I’ve already said too much! 🙂

Until next time…Shabbat Shalom ya’ll!

Spicy Moroccan Salmon with Pickle Slaw

 

Want to impress your guests at your next Shabbat meal?  How about a new spin on the good ‘ole classic Gefilte Fish and try my Spicy Moroccan Salmon with my Pickle Slaw – chock full of aromatic spices, sweet and spicy pickles with a good kick of acid, this will definitely be a big hit with your guests.

Pickles are one of those ingredients you either love, or hate.  Same with cilantro – am I right?  One of my close friends (love you, Alex!) has a deep love for pickles, so much so that occasionally I’ll bring her a can of those classic Israeli pickles, the sweet, sour, vinegar-based whole pickles that you’d only REALLY enjoy with a big plate of hummus, falafel and cabbage salad.  And what’s my opinion on this fermented snack?  I’m most definitely on the pickle bandwagon.

A BBQ Inspiration

This recipe might seem a bit odd, but it came to me by accident.  I was home one lazy Sunday, surfing the standard cooking shows on Food Network and Cooking Channel and came across a travel food show where they visited a local BBQ joint and what did they have on the menu?  Slaw made solely with pickle juice.  My version has my own twist, including a touch of mayo just so it balances out the tartness of the vinegar with some fat, and added some lemon juice (just a touch, for that freshness), and celery seed.  I also love using fresh dill, but dried works too.

Spice Makes Everything Nice!

It might seem a bit backwards that I got inspiration for this coleslaw first, and then had to decide what to pair it with.  And salmon just made so much sense.  The rich and fatty salmon filet, paired with a spicy Moroccan sauce just felt so perfect to me mixed with a crunchy slaw.  Don’t want to make a homemade Shakshuka or Harrisa (spicy pepper) sauce?  I got you covered!  Check out my favorite brand, Mina for these deliciously easy ways to brighten up a humble salmon filet.

And that’s exactly what I’m all about – “classic, with a twist”!

Let me know how you liked this, and comment below!

Check out another great salmon recipe here (the perfect no-cook appetizer, my smoked salmon avocado stacks)!

Recipe:  Moroccan Salmon

 

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Moroccan Salmon
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
55 mins
 
Servings: 2 people
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
  • 2 Salmon filets (about 4 oz. each)
  • 1 tsp Shwarma seasoning You can use pre-made, makes it super easy!
  • 2 tbsp Shwarma Moroccan Tomato Sauce I love the brand Mina - you can find it in most grocery stores, or online here!
  • 1 tbsp Harissa Optional - but if you want an extra spicy kick, go for it! Plus, this brand comes in mild and spicy options!
  • 1/4 Red onion, sliced thin
  • 2 Garlic cloves, finely diced Also optional, but I like to amp up the garlic flavor!
  • 1/4 Fresh lemon, thinly sliced
  • 1 handful Chopped cilantro or parsley Optional, for a fresh herb garnish
  • 2 Green onions, chopped Optional
Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Or, try out these "sizzle platters" from webstraurantstore.com - they can handle super high heat and make clean-up a breeze!

  2. Place the sliced onion on the pan and top with the salmon filets.

  3. Sprinkle the shwarma seasoning on top of the salmon.

     and top with the shwarma tomato sauce and spread the harissa on top, if using. 

  4. In a small bowl, mix the shwarma tomato sauce, harissa (if using) and diced garlic cloves (also, if using). Spread on top of the salmon. 

  5. Lay the thinly sliced lemon slices on top of the salmon. 

  6. Bake for 45 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and crispy on top.

  7. Garnish with chopped green onion or cilantro or parsley - whatever you have on hand that will make a bright herby garnish!

 

Recipe:  Pickle Slaw

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Pickle Slaw
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 
Servings: 4 people
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
  • 3 cups Pre-shredded cabbage mix
  • 2 tbsp Pickle juice I'm a HUGE fan of the spicy pickles from Trader Joe's so I use that for both the pickles and juice!
  • 1/4 cup Pickles, diced
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper
  • 1/4 tsp Celery Seed
  • 1/4 tsp Dried dill
  • 1/2 Lemon, squeezed
  • 2 tbsp Mayo I like using homemade, or from Primal Kitchen or Chosen Foods brands
Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients into a big bowl and mix well.  

  2. Wait an hour or two for the flavors to meld together in the fridge - I recommend making the slaw before the salmon so the flavors marry together while the salmon is baking.  Yay for being efficient in the kitchen!

*This post contains affiliate links. We at MYV (Meat Your Vegetables) earn a small commission if you purchase an item through one of those links, which allows us to continue bringing you great tasting food!  Cheers to that!

Super Bowl Snack – behold the “Nacho Jalapeno Cheese Crisp”!

 

If you’ve taken a look at your calendar lately, you might be shocked to realize that January is almost over and that could only mean one thing (well, besides the fact that winter just seems to never end and the bitter cold is here to stay). It means the SUPER BOWL is almost here!

What a great day to watch football with friends and eat an endless amount of food from the all the Super Bowl food groups – chicken wings, nachos, assorted chips and dips and don’t forget the 3 different types of cookies and brownies.  So here’s an idea.  What about combining nachos AND chips all in one?  Sort of a nacho-in-a-bite kind of deal, so basically, the perfect chip.

Here’s the kicker – nachos are my jam.  If I could eat one snack food for the rest of my life, I’d have to go with nachos.  There are endless possibilities here – fake meat, no fake meat, different types of cheeses, green onions, salsa, guac (duh), sour cream, cilantro (an absolute must-have in my book), pickled jalapenos, maybe some chopped onion, tomato – a little pico de gallo action? You could get creative and do a Korean BBQ style nacho, or “sweet” nachos (not my thing truthfully) – it’s just a great baseline for showing off your creativity!

The Perfect Nacho Bite

My mission?  Create the perfect “nacho bite” in one chip, and then of course, feel free to dunk in giant bowls of guacamole and salsa (or just eat them plain, because you know, they’re THAT good). Oh and in case you’re thinking this is going to be super complicated, like rolling out a dough to create the chips – oh please!

All you need is a muffin pan, shredded cheese, jalapeno slices (you can use plain, or pickled or use whatever hot peppers you like), green onion and spices.  And maybe some fresh cilantro to top it off.  But that’s it.  The muffin tin basically does all of the work for you.  And depending on the size of your muffin pan, you may have to make more batches (my dairy muffin tin is only 6 individual cups, so I had to make 4 batches to make 24 chips, but it’s so worth it)!

Happy Super Bowling!

Recipe: Nacho Jalapeño Cheese Crisps

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Nacho Jalapeño Cheese Crisps
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 
Servings: 12 chips
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
  • 1 Jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (or any type of pepper to the heat level of your liking) You can use pickled jalapenos, but it'll make the "chips" a bit soggy, so you may have to bake them for a bit longer to crisp up
  • 1 Green Onion, sliced thin
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp Cumin
  • 1/4 tsp Trader Joe's onion salt Optional, but I like the extra onion flavor!
  • 1 bunch Cilantro, chopped
Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 375F.

  2. Spray a non-stick muffin tin with cooking spray (I like to use avocado oil spray for a mild flavor)

  3. Mix the cheese, green onion, garlic powder, cumin, and onion salt (if using) in a large bowl.

  4. Measure about 1-2 tbsp. of the cheese mixture and place in each muffin cavity. You don't want to overflow it, just really cover the bottom. The trick to making thin, crispy chips is to just cover the bottom of each muffin tin with a thin layer of cheese, otherwise it won't crisp up, it'll just be a blob.  You can, however, use the cheese to place up the sides of the muffin pan to create a "nacho chip cup" that you can fill with toppings, so feel free to experiment with that. 

  5. Take a thinly sliced piece of jalapeno (or whatever pepper you want to use, Serrano would be good too, and remove the seeds and ribs for less heat), and place on the top of the cheese.  Depending on the size of your muffin tin, you may have to make this in double batches.  My toaster is my dairy "oven" so I can only make 6 at a time.

  6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until bubbling and crispy golden brown, but not burnt.

  7. Let the chips cool for about 10-15 minutes until you can easily "pop" them out of the muffin tin and they're nice and crispy!

  8. Serve on a platter sprinkled with chopped cilantro and enjoy with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, OR make a big pile of nachos using these as the chips!!

Don’t forget to check out Daniel’s Super Bowl Nachos dish: Steak and Eggs Tot-Chos (Tater Tot Nachos)  or check out some of our other great Super Bowl recipes:

Cheddar Stuffed Jalapeno Hush Puppies

Almond Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies

And hey, thank you for reading this post!  We’d love to hear from you, so feel free to comment below or even write us a testimonial here!

Super Bowl Snack Challenge: Steak and Eggs Tot-Chos (Tater Tot Nachos)

 

Tater Tot NachosA while back I was at a non-kosher restaurant with some co-workers. While I sat there and ate the sandwich I snuck in from the kosher deli down the street, they chowed done on some tasty looking food.  One of the appetizers that was ordered for the table was Tot-Chos, a nacho dish with all the fixings, including a fried egg, where tater tots replace the chips. Everyone at the table really seemed to enjoy it and I knew I had to make my own version of it.

I decided to go with a steak and eggs version version, one of my favorite breakfasts, and I love anything with with a fried egg on it. I left out any sort of dairy to keep it kosher, but if you wanted to you could swap out the the steak for a cheese sauce or salsa verde sour cream, or if you don’t need it be kosher you could do both. The toppings I list are just suggestions. I have also included a recipe for guacamole and Pico de gallo to get you started but if you don’t have the ingredients for one of them or simply don’t like it, feel free to leave it out.  If you have some other ideas for toppings let us know in the the comments. This a great party recipe and scales well. I made it for the Super Bowl last year and people devoured it. Try it for your for your Super Bowl party next week and let us know how people enjoyed it.

 

 

 

Don’t forget to check out Rachel’s version of Super Bowl nachos, Nacho Jalapeno Cheese Crisps  or some of our other Super Bowl Recipes:

Cheddar Stuffed Jalapeno Hush Puppies

Almond Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies

 

Recipe: Steak and Eggs Tot-Chos (Tater Tot Nachos)

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Tater Tot Nachos
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Tot-chos AKA Tater Tot Nachos
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 

That's right, it's tater tot nachos.  Makes a great party snack, appetizer, or side dish. 

Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: nachos, party, super bowl
Servings: 8 People
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 1 32 oz Bag Frozen Tater Tots
Suggested Toppings
  • Sour Cream
  • Pico de Gallo Recipe below
  • Cheese Sauce
  • Guacamole Recipe below
  • Fried Egg
  • Sliced Steak
  • Giardiniera
  • Salsa
Instructions

  1. Bake the tater tots on a parchment paper lined sheet pan.  I like to bake them a little hotter and a little longer than the package recommends so they are a crispier. This will also help prevent them from getting soggy when you top them.

  2. Layer on your choice of toppings and enjoy.

Recipe: Guacamole

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Italian Beef Tacos
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Guacamole
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 

A party dip classic with a little kick.

Course: Dip
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 4 Servings
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 2 Medium Ripe Avocados Pitted, peeled, and roughly chopped
  • 1 Small Red Onion Diced
  • 1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes Optional
  • 1 tbsp Lime Juice
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
Instructions

  1. Add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mash with a fork until desired texture is achieved. Serve immediately.

Recipe: Pico de Gallo

5 from 1 vote
Mojo Chicken Tacos
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Pico de Gallo
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

A fresh salsa that is quick and easy to make.  It is great for brightening up a dish by bringing a pop of acid.

Course: Dip
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 3 Plum Tomatoes Diced
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper Diced
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper Diced
  • 1 Yellow Bell Pepper Diced
  • 1 Small Red Onion Diced
  • 1 Small White Onion Diced
  • 1 Cup Fresh Chopped Cilantro Substitute with parsley if you don't like cilantro
  • 1 Jalapeno Diced, optional
  • Salt and Pepper To taste
  • 1/4 Cup Lime Juice
Instructions

  1. Add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.  Let chill in the refrigerator for an hour for the flavors to come together before serving. 

Tu BiShvat Challenge: Mergez Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Beef Bacon

 

Bacon Wrapped DatesThis coming Monday is Tu BiShvat, the Rosh Hashanah (New Years) for trees. Sort of an Abrahamic Arbor Day. Rachel has challenged me to come up with a date based recipe in honor of  Tu BiShvat.There is a custom to eat fruits from the Shiv’at HaMinim, the seven special species that Israel is known for growing. Dates are one of these seven species and are super versatile.  I have been in to quick and easy appetizers lately, and I thought a stuffed date would be a great follow up to my Ruben Flat Bread recipe.

Dates can be cloyingly sweet, so I wanted to go in a more savory direction. With me you can never get enough meat, so I both stuffed and wrapped my dates in it.  Mergez, a lamb sausage from North Africa , brings some nice spice to the dish, while the the bacon adds crispiness, salinity, and smoke. Together the two balance out intense sweetness of the dates nicely.

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Bacon Wrapped Dates
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Mergez Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Beef Bacon
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Cooling
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 

A great quick appetizer or hors d'oeuvre.  The spice from the mergez, and the crispiness, salinity, and smoke from the bacon balance out the intense sweetness of the dates nicely.

Course: Appetizer, Hors d'oeuvre, Snack
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Keyword: dates
Servings: 12 Dates
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
  • 24 Large Dried Dates Pitted
  • 24 Slices Bacon I use beef bacon to keep it kosher, but any type will work
  • 1 lb Uncooked mergez removed from the casing or ground lamb If using ground lamb see the mergez seasoning below
Mergez Seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tbsp Ground Coriander
  • 1 tbsp Ground Fennel Seed
  • 1 tbsp Paprika Smoked if you have it
  • 1 tbsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Crushed Green Peppercorn Regular black pepper will work in a pinch
  • 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
  • 5 Cloves Fresh Garlic Finely chopped
Special Equipment
  • Parchment Paper
  • Sheet Pan
  • Toothpicks
Instructions

  1. If using ground lamb instead of premade mergez, add all of the seasonings to the ground beef.  Combine thoroughly.  Your hands are the best tool for this job!

  2. In a frying pan or skillet brown the sausage or ground lamb, and allow to cool.

  3. The pitted dates should already have a slit in them.  Stuff each date with as much of the sausage or ground lamb that will easily fit, being careful not to split the date

  4. Wrap each date with a slice of bacon.  Feel free to trim the bacon to length if it goes around the date more then twice. Stick a toothpick through the date to prevent the bacon from coming loose.

  5. Place the dates on a parchment paper lined sheet pan. Place in a cold oven and then set the oven to 350°F. Bake until the bacon begins to crisp.  Serve immediately.

Don’t forget to check out Rachel’s Tu BiShvat date challenge recipe: Coffee Coconut Date Balls

Happy Tu BiShvat! Coffee Coconut Date Balls

 

Happy Tu BiShvat, a.k.a. Rosh Hashanah for the trees!  In honor of this special New Year, why not challenge Daniel to an ingredient showdown and feature one of the 7 species – the humble date!  No, I’m not talking about a romantic walk on the beach or a candlelight dinner with your boo, but rather the sweet and sticky dessert-like treat that is native to Israel (sorry, I couldn’t help it)!  Dates are so versatile and they can be used in both savory and sweet treats!

So while Daniel may be whipping up something deliciously decadent and laden with meat (obviously), I’m going old school.  This was one of the first recipes I developed for my other (food and fashion) blog riskyveggie.com.  It’s been such a favorite among my readers and fellow food-eaters that I’ve done different versions of it over the years as well (mocha chocolate chip date balls, poppy-seed vanilla date balls – you name it)!  But time and time again, I always come back to this classic.

This is the dessert treat that I’m known to make for a family with a new baby – since it’s the perfect bite for nursing mothers!  My friend Joy had a baby a few years ago and of course I made her and her family a feast of a dinner and included a batch of these date balls.  She emailed me immediately and said it was the perfect middle-of-the-night bite when she needed some sustenance as she nurses her newborn at 3 a.m.  Granted, you can always omit the coffee, though it’s not a lot in the whole batch but if you are sensitive to it, just don’t include it!  What’s great too is that this recipe is so versatile and a great base for making it your own.  Sometimes I add cinnamon or maybe a scoop of vanilla protein powder or vanilla extract.  Sometimes I mix up the different coffee flavors!  And I might even add a few tablespoons of raw cocoa powder to amp up the richness of these bites of heaven.

My favorite part is how little time it takes to whip up a batch.  Add your ingredients into a food processor, roll them into balls, dust with coconut, freeze or refrigerate on wax paper until firm.  That’s it.  No oven to pre-heat or dough to make, or waiting for the dough to rise, or even a gazillion steps or ingredients.  But probably my FAV part about making these?  Even my picky-eating husband is a fan.

L’chaim to that! 🙂

5 from 1 vote
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Coffee Coconut Date Balls
Prep Time
20 mins
Freez
2 hrs
Total Time
22 mins
 
Servings: 20 Date Balls
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
  • 1 cup Dates I like Deglet Noor - they're softer and they come pitted in a big container from Costco (make your prep so much easier)
  • 2/3 cup Nuts Any type you have on hand is good - I like to mix it up between pecans, almonds, walnuts and cashews
  • 2 tbsp Ground Coffee I don't mind using ground coffee in this recipe but you could always add some cold brew or cooled coffee
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened Dairy-Free milk I like using almond milk
  • 1 cup, divided into 1/2 cups Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
  • 1 pinch Sea salt
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract Optional (or you could do maple extract which would be delish)
Instructions

  1. Add the nuts into the bowl of a food processor and grind until finely ground (don't over-process or you'll end up with nut butter).

  2. Add the dates, 1/2 cup of coconut coconut, nut milk, cinnamon, coffee, vanilla (if using) and salt.

  3. Pulse until the mixture comes together kind of like a sticky dough.  Check the consistency to make sure it's dry enough to roll into a ball but not too sticky where it won't form.  

  4. Using a mini ice cream scoop, form the mixture into small balls and roll in the other 1/2 cup of shredded coconut.

  5. Place on a sheet of wax paper and freeze for 2 hours until firm or you can set them in the fridge.  If it's warm outside, it'll take a bit longer to set up, but they'll still be firm enough to eat.  I like mine frozen so I keep some there, anytime I need to deliver a batch of these date balls!

Don’t forget to check out Daniel’s Tu BiShvat date recipe: Mergez Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Beef Bacon

 

Ruben Flat Bread

 

Ruben Flat BreadsRuben Flat Bread

Rachel recently posted a recipe for Smoked Salmon and Avocado Stacks. That motivated me to come up with an easy appetizer recipe of my own.  I have always loved making fun appetizers. On a Shabbat morning when I am expecting guests for lunch, I can often be found spending hours meticulously plating my appetizers. This drives my wife crazy.  She is always concerned that a guest may not like the appetizer, and often insists that appetizers be served family style on a large platter with any adornments such as sauces and garnishes on the side.

Flat breads seem to be all the rage today, and the meat pizza seems to be the king of it all. I wanted to take that concept and create something that was quick, approachable, and familiar. The Ruben sandwich is probably one of the most quintessential Jewish dishes. I decided to take those flavors and make a flat bread out of it.  This recipe is super quick and easy, with the exception of caramelizing the onions which can be done in advance.

I know caramelized onions are not traditional in a Ruben, but they add a richness that one often gets from the Swiss cheese used in many “kosher style” delis.  In a strictly kosher kitchen, mixing meat and dairy products is forbidden. The caramelized onions also act as an edible adhesive to help the other ingredients stick to the flat bread.

I was looking for a quick and easy recipe and therefore used a store bought flatbread or more specifically I used *Bistro Buns By Brooklyn Bred. They are nice and thin with a good texture and not too big.

2.5 from 4 votes
Ruben Flat Breads
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Ruben Flat Breads
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Slow cooker time
12 hrs
Total Time
10 mins
 

 A quick, approachable, and familiar dish that works well as an hors d'oeuvre, appetizer, or even a small meal. This recipe takes the flavors of a Ruben sandwich, one of the most quintessential Jewish dishes, and makes a flat bread out of it. 

Course: Appetizer, Hor d'oeuvres
Cuisine: Jewish
Keyword: flat bread, ruben
Servings: 4 people
Author: Daniel Peikes
Ingredients
Flat Breads
  • 1 Cup Corned Beef Sliced and roughly chopped
  • 2 Flat Breads I used store bought, but you could make your own
  • 1/2 Cup Sauerkraut Thoroughly drained
Russian Dressing
  • 1/4 Cup Mayo
  • 1/4 Cup Ketchup
Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 3 Large Onions Chopped
  • Salt and Pepper To taste
  • Giardiniera Optional if you like some heat
Special Equipment
  • Small Slow Cooker AKA Crock-Pot
Instructions
Caramelized Onions

  1. Add the onions, olive oil, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker and cook on high for 12 hours.

Russian Dressing

  1. Combine the mayo and ketchup in a mixing bowl.  Stir until thoroughly combined.

Flat Bread

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F

  2. Top the flatbread with the onions and then a layer of corned beef.  Bake until the corned beef begins to crisp up.

  3. Remove the flatbread from the oven and top with the sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and giardiniera. Slice in to strips or triangles and serve immediately.

Check out some of our other appetizers:
Deviled Eggs
Fried Pickles
Barbecue Chicken Hamantaschen

*This post and recipe contains affiliate links. We at MYV earn a small commission if you purchase an item through one of those links, which allows us to continue bringing you great tasting food.

Jicama shoestring fries with lemon garlic aoli

 

Jicama FriesAh, the New Year.  The time for resolutions – either staying the course and keeping to them, or breaking on day 2.  But how about feeling like you’re “cheating” without doing so – eating some “fries” without the guilt?  (shaking your head).  I’m with you on this.

A glorious thing happens when someone eating low carb, like me, tries to reinvent the wheel with comfort food.  Believe me, there are so many ways you can enjoy some serious decadent comfort foods without overloading it for your daily food intake.

But we’re not going to over-complicate things here – let’s bring it back to basics.  Jicama is a great alternative to potatoes!  It’s basically a cousin of the humble tuber, and has a mild potato-like taste and texture…so here goes nothin’!

This is not a Rachel-original idea though.  I’ve seen lots of other keto bloggers try out this type of recipe but I like to put my person spin on it.  Add some herbs and spices and dip it in a rich homemade lemon garlic aioli.  Because, what goes better than a lemon garlic dipping sauce?  Really…if you have any other ideas, I’m listening! 🙂  And for the record, if you don’t feel like making your own homemade aioli, by all means, use store-bought mayo, and just add in some minced garlic, lemon juice, and some spices and you’re good to go.

Truthfully, jicama is not the easiest to prep.  You have to wash and peel the tough other skin, then slice it into matchsticks.  So, when I found some prepped jicama slices in the grocery store, you better believe I bought it.  It saves me a TON of time!  Although I did end up slicing these sticks in half, to get that “shoestring” fry shape I was going for.  And one last thing to note – these fries can burn pretty quick if you’re not keeping an eye on them, but…I prefer a little bit of that dark brown crispiness.  Not all of them will get super crispy, but of course you can always fry these instead of baking – I mean, why not? #YOLO (do people even say that anymore? ha).

So go enjoy a big stack of fries!  Even if they’re “healthy” for you, right? 🙂

0 from 0 votes
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Jicama shoestring fries with lemon garlic aioli
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
 
Servings: 4 people
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
Jicama shoestring fries
  • 1 lb. jicama - cut into matchsticks or thinner
  • 4 tbsp. avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. hot paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion salt I love the Trader Joe's brand - or you can just use minced onion, or onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt I like using pink Himalayan salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Lemon garlic aioli (makes 16 oz. of aoli)
  • 2 eggs I prefer using good quality eggs for this aoli, since it's raw egg, so look for pasturized eggs
  • 2-3 garlic cloves
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 cup avocado oil You want to use a light-tasting oil, so you can use light olive oil instead, if you prefer
Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. Add the jicama slices, oil and spices in a large bowl and mix well.

  3. Spread out the jicama on the baking sheet, making sure the jicama is in an even layer, if they overlap on the pan, they won't get crispy.

  4. Bake for 50-60 minutes - checking the last 10 minutes to make sure they aren't burning.  I prefer mine on the darker side since they get more crunchy that way, but you don't want them burnt to a crisp - and they can burn quick if you're not watching!

  5. Meanwhile, make the aoli - in a high powered blender, add the eggs, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

  6. With the motor running on medium speed - drizzle in the oil in a slow stream until the aoli is emulsified.  I estimated about a cup, but you'll see the mayo dressing come together and your blender will make a "chugging" sound when the aoli is fully combined.  It should be thick like mayo. 

  7. Serve the fries either hot or room temp with the aioli - dunk and devour!

If you liked this recipe don’t forget to checkout Daniel’s take Jicama Fries: Loaded Jicama Fries Two Ways

Smoked Salmon and Avocado Stacks

 

Smoked Salmon and Avocado StacksSmoked Salmon and Avocado Stacks

Appetizers are my favorite. If I could eat a meal that consisted only of apps, just a few bits of different salads, dips and finger foods, that would be a perfect meal.  So here is an ode to a fabulous appetizer that is so easy to put together – no cooking required!  Just a few chopping here, and some simple, but fancy assembling required and you’ll definitely be impressing your guests.

When I first moved to Chicago (14 years ago this month!!), I was all about having people over for Shabbat meals.  It was a great way to meet young college kids my age and this way I was able to show off my cooking skills!  One of my specialties was a tortilla soup (more of a black bean soup with lots of spices, aromatics and topped with crunchy tortilla chips).  It was always a crowd-pleaser.  And then, there was this app that I served often. The inspiration is from one of Sandra Lee’s recipes from her “Semi-Homemade Cooking” show on Food Network, way back in the day.  She added some croutons for a crunchy textural element, so if that’s your jam, go for it!  I just keep this super simple, and that way it’s gluten-free, keto-friendly, pescatarian and just delicious all-around.

The Updated Version

For this go-around, I decided to add a cucumber, sun-dried tomato, caper relish.  As pretty as the smoked salmon (or lox, whatever you want to use) and avocado stack is on its own, this accompaniment gives it a nice tang and acidity and brightens up the salmon and avocado.  Or, this would be delicious with a lemon caper dressing drizzled over the top as well. Served with crackers or fresh, warm challah and you have a tasty, modern twist on a gefilte fish starter! Oh, and a squeeze of lemon over the top of the plate never hurts. 🙂

Try making this at your next Shabbat meal or maybe for your New Years’ Eve fancy shmancy dinner party!

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and safe New Year – catch ya’ll in 2019!

(oh…and in case you’re wondering…yes, there is a penguin pattern on the plate.  Isn’t it just so cute and whimsical?) 🙂

Recipe: Smoked Salmon and Avocado Stacks

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Smoked Salmon & Avocado Stacks
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 
Servings: 4 people
Author: Rachel Katzman
Ingredients
  • 6 oz. smoked salmon
  • 2 avocados, peeled and cubed
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp capers, drained
  • 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 small handful of fresh dill, minced
  • 1/2 lemon, cut into wedges
Instructions
To make the tapenade:

  1. Mix the diced cucumbers, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, fresh dill and sliced scallions in a bowl.

  2. Add the rice wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper.  Mix well, set to the side.

To make the stacks:

  1. Mix the avocado cubes in a small bowl with salt and pepper. 

  2. Take the lid of a mason jar and spoon some avocado mixture in the bottom, about 1/2 an avocado per person.

  3. Take the smoked salmon and roughly chop and place it on top of the avocado. 

  4. Spoon some of the tapenade on the side, or on top.  Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with a lemon wedge to squirt over the top of the tapenade and the smoked salmon stacks. 

Check out some of our other appetizers:

Deviled Eggs

Fried Pickles

Barbecue Chicken Hamantaschen