A Rosh Hashanah Seder Cooking Demo

The Simanim Delicacies Cooking Demonstration at Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills had 70 women attendees learning and savoring some classic, and some updated, Sephardic recipes.

Beth Jacob executive director Robyn Lewis organized the event and printed up a fabulous cookbook and Rosh Hashana Seder Guide with the brachot and corresponding food.

Renowned chef Debby Segura made Cowboy Caviar with black-eyed beans, corn, tomato and avocado, an inventive take on the traditional Rosh Hashana Seder food lubiyah, (black-eyed beans). She also made an exquisite Apple Frangipane Tart that had everybody diving back for seconds.

Steve Schwartz from Art of Tea brewed up some delicious hibiscus tea that he served Gazoz style, with apple, pomegranate tendrils, strawberries and fresh ginger, garnished with sprigs of mint and stems of baby’s breath and a dash of rum. One attendee described it as “the most beautiful drink I’ve ever been served!”

The Sephardic Spice Girls, Rachel Emquies Sheff and Sharon Gomperts served up an array of their holiday favorites. There was membrillo, a delicately spiced candied quince. Rachel’s famous fish balls made with minced whitefish and salmon in a robust red sauce filled with crushed tomatoes, harissa, preserved lemon and green olives. Keftes de prasa con carne, exquisite little meat patties with leek and mashed potato. Eggplants drizzled with deliciously authentic Silan and halva from specialty business House of Halva. A classic lemony and cumin seasoned Moroccan Swiss Chard Salad. Fat Medjool dates stuffed with Marcona almonds or candied orange peel or pistachios.

The audience loved the flavors of the very healthy Autumn Harvest Soup, made with butternut squash, sweet potato and white squash.

The participants walked away with a bit of swag, including a copy of Fleishigs magazine, a Sephardic Spice Girls dish towel, an Art of Tea discount. There was also a discount on the best French cookware Laguiole (available to readers of the Jewish Journal at www.laguioleus.com with code SPICEGIRLS10).