Everything but Falafel: 11/6/11

About Hagit and Dafna

Hagit and Dafna are two Israeli moms who love food, cooking, entertaining and all that's yummy. They live on Long Island, NY with their families. Hagit and Dafna became firm friends when their children met at the East Meadow Jewish Center Nursery School in 2004. Since then they have cooked together and enjoyed many Friday Nights discussing everything....but falafel. Hagit and Dafna are hard at work on their first cookbook.

More about Hagit

Hagit came to NY straight from Haifa, Israel where she lived with her husband and 2 children. After 2 years of army duty she graduated from Haifa University with a Business and Economics Degree in 1994. She got married to Isaac shortly after and was suddenly faced with her lack of cooking experience. Between her mom Nina and her mother-in-law Esther, she was taught, guided and encouraged to cook and experiement with lots of different spices and family recipes from two very different backgrounds, Ashkenazy and Sepharadic. Fast forward to today. Hagit has 3 children and a passion for cooking. She wants to share her love of cooking with anyone who has the willingness to learn how to cook, and those who are experienced in the kitchen too. Hagit has recipes that have been handed down to her through the generations, as well as cooking tips and secret ingredients to help today's busy cook in the kitchen.

Hagit enjoys being creative outside the kitchen too. She established her Israeli Judaica Art by creating unique pieces of jewelery, mezuzah and personalized hamsah for every occasion.

More about Dafna

Born in Israel to Persian parents, Dafna grew up between Israel, Iran, London and now resides in NY. She graduated from City of London Polytechnic with a Sociology BS in 1984. She moved to NY the same year and was married to Steven in 1987. She brought her culture into her American kitchen and has been cooking Persian meals for her family for years. She currently lives on Long Island with her husband and 3 children. She attributes her love of cooking and entertaining to her huge family and wonderful aunts who all cook delicious foods with fresh produce and traditional recipes to make each meal taste authentic.

Dafna currently works as a Real Estate Agent for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. She speaks English, Hebrew and Farsi. Dafna helps buyers and sellers with all of their real estate needs on Long Island. She is also a Relocation Specialist. Find her at DafnaLeibel.com.

We'd love to hear from you when you have tried these recipes.

Shalom,

Hagit and Dafna

Israeli Pantry Essentials

Spices:
Salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, turmeric, nutmeg, sour salt, dried limes, chicken grill spice (Pereg)

Baking:
white sugar, brown sugar, pure maple syrup, cocoa powder, self rising flour, regular flour, baking powder, baking soda, pure vanilla extract, rum extract, walnuts, raisins, Israeli semi sweet chocolate (Elite)

Cooking:
Marak Off (chicken stock powder), tin of sabzi (dried greens), Basmati rice (white and brown), can of chick peas, can of corn, tomato paste, vegetable oil, olive oil, bread crumbs

Fresh and Frozen:
Fresh garlic or ready chopped, eggs, salad veggies, onions, potatoes, tahina paste, zuchini, carrots, red pepper, frozen spinach

Everything but Falafel

Friday, November 11, 2011

Pumpkin Season