Tag Archives: Jerusalem cookbook

Jerusalem Cookbook Dinner Party

Posted on by January 19, 2015

Everyone loves a menu that’s straightforward and ready to go and this Jerusalem Cookbook Dinner Party is all that and more. Added bonus, most of the dishes can be prepared well-ahead of the party so that you can enjoy the party your self. The recipes, while delicious any time of the year, point out how lush and flavorful winter produce can be. Pomegranates and pears abound, dried prunes are an unexpected ingredient that delights when paired with crispy potatoes, bright green herbs make flavors and colors pop! and who can resist fresh bread, straight from the oven? Aside from the recipes featured on this page, I also recommend that you check out the recipes from my Middle Eastern Feast, which offers other great Middle Eastern dishes to offer your some variety in your planning. And of course, check out the many cocktails I have shared over the years and pick out one that will become your house favorite. I’ll walk you through these recipes step-by-step and at then end you’ll be prepared with an elegant, but comfortable menu that will “wow” guests. Appetizers: Baba Ganoush via Jerusalem Homemade Hummus and Pita would also be excellent from my Middle Eastern Feast … Continue reading →

Duckfat Potatoes with Prunes via Jerusalem

Posted on by January 15, 2015

While I was paging through Jerusalem, the cookbook, looking for a substantial side to go with my mint butter lamb chops, I came across these Duck Fat Potatoes with Prunes. It sort of struck me as an odd pairing, but it also struck me as something that might be perfect on a night when you’re just serving guests little tastes of lots of different things. It doesn’t hurt that I trust Ottolenghi implicitly. It turned out that I was right on many accounts, and the Duck Fat Potatoes with Prunes via Jerusalem were perfect when served with the slightly salty lamb chops. In fact, whatever you serve them with, I would recommend being liberal with the salt because there’s definitely a bit of (perfectly balanced) sweetness from the caramel and the prunes. Also, at first glance this recipe seems like a bit of a chore. I mean, come on, you have to cook the potatoes twice? But as someone who derives extreme pleasure from perfectly crisped potatoes, be they French fries or steak fries, I have come to appreciate the technique behind these particular Duck Fat Potatoes with Prunes via Jerusalem. In fact, as a former waiter, I don’t really … Continue reading →