Cuisine ← Balagan Recipes

Monkey Bread – Also known as Monkey Brains

Jun

13

2020

Galit showed me this recipe just as I told a friend that I’d eat anything, even monkey brains. These two incidents might not appear related however Monkey Bread has some alternative names including, you guessed it, Monkey Brains. Also Bubble Loaf, Sticky Bread and Pinch Me Loaf. Monkey Bread is an American favourite dating from ...

Ciabatta – Italian Sandwich Loaves

May

17

2020

I always thought ciabatta was a recipe from antiquity. But it was actually invented in 1982 by Arnaldo Cavallari as a response to the threat posed by French baguettes. It seems resistance to a foreign invader created a new cultural phenomenon. I’d tried making them before but failed to master manipulating the super wet dough ...

Kosher for Pesach Double Chocolate Muffins Brownies

Apr

27

2019

We had people coming over during Passover (Pesach) and my wife wanted to make something sweet. The no flour no rising agent thing posed some challenges but she came up with this recipe. It stunned us all. Yum. Kosher for Pesach Double Chocolate Muffins Brownies Delicious chocolate muffins, or is that brownies, that can be ...

Mini Coconut Financiers / Minis Financiers À La Noix De Coco

Apr

9

2017

Galit wanted something Kosher for Passover and asked Karine Vigaelles for advice. Karine suggested “Minis Financiers À La Noix De Coco” off her site, but substituting almond powder for flour. A great success. Very moist and light; a delightful contrast to common fare at passover. Mini Coconut Financiers / Minis Financiers À La Noix De ...

Onion Gravy for Bangers and Mash

Sep

4

2015

I’ve lived in the Uk for 16 years now and I quite like the British classic, Bangers and Mash. This is sausages and potato puree served with an onion gravy. Sausages and puree I could already do, but I needed a recipe for the gravy. This one combines a couple that I looked at on ...

Basic Bread

May

17

2015

I love bread and make bread quite a lot. This is my basic recipe if I want to eat bread the same day I start making it. Pizza bases are probably our most common variation. Focaccia is Galit’s favourite bread variation including chopped fresh basil in the dough and sea salt sprinkled over the top. ...

French Glacé Cherries and Pistachios Financiers

Dec

26

2014

Galit and I were introduced to these small French cakes by Karine Vigaelles. A financier is a small French cake. Financiers are light, moist and springy, with a crisp, eggshell-like exterior. They usually contains almond flour, crushed or ground almonds, or almond flavouring. The distinctive feature of the recipe is beurre noisette (brown butter). Financiers ...

Granola Las Bugambilias

Nov

17

2013

In Oaxaca we stayed at a charming bed and breakfast place called La Casa de los Sabores, and it truly was a House of Flavours. Each morning we were presented with a glorious breakfast from the local cuisine, including a divine granola that took Galit’s fancy. She particularly liked the crunchy texture and the Amaranth ...

Fricassee – Traditional fried bread from Tunisia 1

Oct

26

2013

Fricassees are a traditional dish from Tunisia. Marie makes them every now and then for me as a treat. They are the real Tunisian sandwich before modern health consciousness replaced the fried bread with baguettes. This is just the recipe for the bread. The filling is the same as in any Tunisian sandwich, i.e. tuna, ...

Empanadas de Choclo: Sweet Corn and Cheese Pasties

Oct

19

2013

Galit decided to put on a vegetarian Mexican dinner party. Bean burritos are a standard at our home but we wanted something extra. These empanadas have a creamy, sweet and salty filling. There is a bit of work in the pastry but it has a great texture and flavour – exactly what I want. Empanadas ...