Tag: Morocco
Episode 14 – Mahia: A Uniquely Jewish Alcohol
Not only do Jews drink way more than many people know, there are actually a number of alcoholic beverages that are UNIQUELY Jewish. Mahia is one. Tune in to learn all about the history of this interesting spirit, how you can get it today, and also learn about some of the other Jewish alcoholic drinks. I also discuss one of […]
Episode 6 – Bourekas: Food For a Globalized Nation
Many people know and love bourekas, but few know of its Jewish origin story. Learn how this food is the result of Jewish migrations, and hear of other similar foods that only came about because we have spread around the world. Culinary fusion is not a new thing, nor simply a way to experiment or titillate — often it is […]
Episode 5 – Moufletta: Jewish-Arab Friendship in Morocco
Moufletta is eaten by Moroccan Jews at the holiday of Mimouna, that immediately follows Passover. It reflects the relatively good relations the two communities shared there. This episode looks at this crepe’s Jewish bonafides, discusses other similar examples from around the world, and reveals how the tradition changed (but also stayed similar) in Israel. Interview: The Sephardic Spice Girls — […]
Shabbat Stew Bonus Foods
Who doesn’t like a bonus? Whether it is extra money from your boss at year’s end or the proverbial cherry on top of your sundae, bonuses put an extra smile on our faces because the base was already good in itself and now we get even more goodness to add to it. And wouldn’t you know it? Jewish food has […]
Thank God for Food Spoilage
Traditional Jews have a wide array of food blessings, based on the type of food being consumed. We thank God with a different bracha (blessing) for creating grain products, fruits or wine, for example. These add up to an expression of our gratitude to the Creator for providing us not just with sustenance, but with a variety both nutritionally and […]
What Exploring Our Food Can Teach About Our People
To me, studying food is not an end in itself. It is a way to learn about the people who make and eat it. Which of course is the angle that I am taking in my book. Obviously, I describe the foods themselves, their origins and history, and other interesting things about them. But beyond that, I use them as […]
Mimouna Mutations and More
Particularly interesting about Jewish Food are the special food-related customs of specific Jewish communities around the world. The Malida ceremony of the Bene Israel Jews around Mumbai, the Ethiopian Beta Israel’s Sigd festival (as they break their fast) and Seudat Yitro (Feast of Jethro) for the Jews of Tunisia are but a few examples. But even more interesting is when […]
