Category Archives: Q & A / Preguntas

Q&A: Sodra, a Micro-regional Passover Dish Sub-par Excellence (but not without its dignity)

Sodra is broken-up matza soaked in chicken broth, with eggs and lemon added to the mix in typical Sephardic fashion, maybe dressed with some cheese or a little garlic. It’s an obscure dish, even among Sephardim, included in a couple … Continue reading

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Filed under History / Historia, Holidays / Fiestas Judias, Q & A / Preguntas

Q & A: Medieval Catalan Jewish Food (more familiar than you might imagine)

I just discovered, through DNA testing, that my ancestors lived in Girona. They left when the Alhambra Decree was issued. Do you have any recipes of Jewish specialties from Girona?  Thank you.  Ronit Sure, Ronit! It may well be you … Continue reading

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Filed under History / Historia, Q & A / Preguntas, Recipes / Recetas

Q & A: Reshikas

Hi, Janet, Have you ever heard of rechikas?  My grandmother (and later, my mother) made these little dry cookies, not very sweet at all, crunchy and absolutely DELICIOUS, especially when dunked in some Turkish coffee!  OMG, I’m drooling.  Please say … Continue reading

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Sephardic sashimi, with a twist

“My father would eat an appetizer which was raw fish with lemon squeezed onto it. I think it is called LAKADA, made from mackerel. He would eat it with greek olives and bread. I am a Sephardic Jew who grew … Continue reading

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Filed under Holidays / Fiestas Judias, Q & A / Preguntas, Recipes / Recetas

Sharope: white spoon sweet (Q & A)

Hello, Janet, Have you ever heard the word “sharope”? When I was a child, my grandmother who was Turkish would make a sweet, white paste which she kneaded on the tile floor. We would then snip off pieces and eat … Continue reading

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Filed under Glossary / Glosario, Q & A / Preguntas, Recipes / Recetas

Vişinată – Sour Cherry Drink

Hello Janet, I was wondering if you had a recipe for a drink my grandma used to make, it was, I think, called visnada or visnata and basically a sour cherry syrup with the fruits it. It was reduce and … Continue reading

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Matza Meal vs. Flour: To substitute, or not to substitute?

Thank you so much for the recipes. I read them thru and wanted to do a cooking/baking marathon so I could have them all on my table at once. Question: do you have a formula for making some of the desserts … Continue reading

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Ajada (Q & A and a recipe)

Hi Janet, My mother used to make what we called Ajada. It was made with soaked bread, eggs, fresh garlic and lemon juice. It was mixed and mashed together and we used it as a dip for meat. What is … Continue reading

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Filed under Glossary / Glosario, Q & A / Preguntas, Recipes / Recetas