The Kitchen Guru

  Pumpkin  Season   I noticed Pumpkin in the supermarkets last week which reminded me of visiting my son who lives in Kansas in the Mid-West of America some years back in pumpkin season. I had heard about and seen in films, yet nothing prepared me for the sight, and smells of pumpkins everywhere. Every supermarket, farmers market and grocery store are awash with this wonderful golden orange colour, The highlight for me  was visiting the pumpkin farm, riding out in a tractor with my grandson to pick our own pumpkin. There are many recipes for pumpkin but the traditional and still my very favorite is all American traditional Pumpkin Pie.  Although not quick if made from scratch it is totally worth the effort. All American traditional Pumpkin Pie. Dairy free version ·        750g/1lb 10oz pumpkin, peeled, deseeded, and cut into chunks ·        350g sweet shortcrust pastry as below or you can buy ready...

    Luxury Fish Pie. Serves 4-6 depending on appetite Every now and then I get the urge to eat a fish pie but don’t make it off forgetting how simple this is to make This recipe is easy to follow, and only takes 15- 20 minutes preparation time, so within an hour you have a delicious, warming and satisfying meal although this is not a complicated meal to prepare it has the taste of pure luxury. You can, like me can substitute the dairy products for the lactose intolerant, and it is just as delicious or use dairy products. You need ·        1kg Maris Piper potatoes, peeled and halved ·        500 ml any kind of milk I use plant-based milk    ·        40g Tomer or Butter, plus a knob ·        25g plain Gluten free or ordinary flour ·        1 leek washed and finely sliced ·     ...

Food to take and break your fast Most families have a traditional meal they have for the Seudat HaMafseket (meal before the fast, a lot has been written about the importance of a simple menu that includes , high protein   slow burning   low-sodium foods to sustain one throughout the day,   My son and family favour my one pot Chicken dish that is delicious, nutritious filling but slow burning, to take the fast and this has become their tradition. ( My grandchildren tell me this dish also is delicious cold so the children who are not fasting can eat leftovers during Yom Kippur)     One pot chicken. Serve 4-6 One chicken portioned into 6-8 portions (I cut the breast in two and separate the legs and thighs) 250g/9oz basmati or  long-grain rice (I use whole rice, but you can choose what you prefer) 1 onion chopped I leek- washed and chopped 2 carrots peeled and 2 large potatoes 2 bay leaves 600ml/1 pint  chicken stock 1/2 cup ...

  Rosh Hashanah – Symbolic foods (Simanim) There is a tradition at Rosh Hashanah to eat symbolic foods ( simanim ) these are meant to help ensure us a good and sweet new year. Whereas the Ashkenazic custom would be to incorporate most of the foods into a menu, most Sephardic households hold a “seder” or mini service after Kiddush and Challah saying a blessing over each food. Over the years I have sat at both tables and love the creative ways each of the simanim are prepared. Here you have three simple and quick to prepare recipes to incorporate simanim into your Yom tov menus and below the recipes you can read about the simanim, and what they symbolise and their importance at Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah Honey and Leek Roasted Chicken – serves 4 -6 I whole chicken portioned 1 leek washed, chopped very finely ½ cup of fresh parsley chopped 2 carrots peeled and finely chopped 1 clove of garlic chopped finely 4 fresh dates without stones chopped finely 1 table spoon runny honey 2 table...