Jewish Iraqi Meatballs in Schwandar (Beet) Stew

Someone special is joining the Cooking Middle Eastern blog, as my partner in culinary explorations. Eli Cohen is a native of Israel and his family is originally from Iraq...and he happens to be my life-partner (lucky me!). The most interesting and tasty cuisine I've tasted comes out of his mother's kitchen, based on very old family recipes. Here's Eli!

Hi everyone. Koubba (a semolina meat dumpling) is a signature dish in Jewish Iraqi cooking that comes in innumerable different versions of stew types. This version replaces the the Koubba with a meatball while the stew sauce stays the same. It cuts out some significant labor that the Koubba usually requires.

This beet stew is an impressive summer dish to prepare. Its full of color, very healthy and fun especially now when beets fresh and in season. Enjoy!

Halva cookies

Sometimes simplicity in a dessert or cookie lends itself to tasteful bliss. Such is the case with this delicious Halva tea cookie, which comes to us from the exquisite chef Offerico Maoz from Tel Aviv. It's so simple that I resist giving people the recipe, but here you go. Enjoy, my friends and may the wonders of this cookie dance on your tongue, as well!

A Trip to Tunisia

Hot like the desert. This is the descriptive that comes to mind when I think about Tunisian food. Many Middle Eastern cuisines tend to the softer and more subtle flavorings, however, Tunisian is all about the heat. Evidently, so is Lybian.

Spiciness stimulates the appetite. You know what I mean if you live in a hot or desert climate. Think about Mexican or Cajun/Creole cooking. If you haven't tried eating spicy food during a heat wave, try it. Those days of feeling blase, not wanting to eat anything will melt away with the first bite, guaranteed.

Khreimi is a remarkably good tasting, yet extremely simple to prepare (as in less than 30 minutes) Jewish-Libyan/Tunisian. Essential is the spice mixture and nigella, or black caraway seed, which can be purchased in any Middle Eastern or specialty foods store. Enjoy!