Tuscan Baked Beans (Fagioli Al Forno)

Dried white haricot {dried white) beans are immensely popular in northern Italy, particularly in Tuscany, where they form part of many of the classic dishes of the area.

Rice with Peas (Risiebisi)

Italian rice tastes different from any other type of rice–and it’s cooked differently too. Don’t be alarmed if, at the end of cooking time, the rice is still quite ‘creamy”–it’s…

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Kasha with Mushrooms

Kasha is to the Russians and Poles what cornmeal is to the Romanians. Properly cooked kasha grains should be flurry yet separate; when the cooking is finished, no liquid should…

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Turkish Pilaf

Like saffron rice, this dish can also be served lukewarm, or even cold. It is a rice dish served on special occasions, such as Friday nights and festivals. Turkey is…

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Creamed Beets

This Polish dairy dish is a very suitable main course for Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks.

Dfina

Dfina is a Sephardic version of the slow-cooked stew. It is prepared all over the Middle East as well as in Turkey and Spain. This version is from Egypt, distinguished…

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Herbed Lentil Stew

Was this lentil stew the “mess of pottage” for which Esau sold his birthright? It is a typical Middle Eastern stew, this time from Lebanese Jews. It is a one-pot…

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Latkes

These delicious potato pancakes are traditional on Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. In many Sephardic communities and also in Italy, oil lamps are still used for the merman, but in…

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