jerusalem

it was a saturday night and we were craving the food of our ancestors...middle eastern cuisine. our friends/cousins/neighbours, jw and cs, recommended jerusalem (eglinton location) as a viable, close-to-home option. we made a reservation (knowing it would be busy), but the restaurant seemed back-logged due to big parties. we were seated about 15 minutes past our reservation time, at a great spot by the window, and away from the ever-growing door-crowd (phew).
while we chatted about the excitement of the coming months, we ordered drinks and an appetizer platter to share. our piping hot pita  arrived, along side the tapas-style falafel platter. it was some time before our waitress (who seemed quite disinterested in taking our orders) re-appeared, offering few suggestions or input on our order. when our food arrived, it was tasty, but nothing spectacular.

olives, peppers and pickled radish
on the house

cheers to all that is to come!

piping hot pita

sharing plate: baba ghanouj, hummus, middle eastern salad and falafal balls
everything here was very tasty

jw, rk and i all ordered the shish-tawoo:
two skewers of marinated chicken breast, with salad and rice

cs enjoyed the lamb shishkabob, with salad and rice

meal sizes were beyond plentiful, especially for the price. we all had leftovers.
while we enjoyed our dinner, the restaurant lacks ambiance and authenticity, though is regularly overflowing by the forest hill crowd. i will likely resume my regular israeli food spots like  mashu mashu and shoom shoom.
 

before passover ends!

it took me too long to post this!
this past week we have been celebrating passover. while most complain about the restriction of eating any and all things leavened, i for one, enjoy passover!
here are a few shots of our family seder last week.

the passover seder plate

beautiful, bright center pieces

it's matzo time!

the hagaddah

egg in saltwater...yummy!

amazing view....the moon was full!

come back tomorrow for pics on how i end passover!

chicken soup for the soul

today was a cold, rainy, relaxing sunday.  my bones were chilled. i needed some hot soup. chicken soup, actually. hold the matzo balls (this time).
if soup is your thing, give this recipe a try. it is simple but delish.
first: find a reliable recipe. i believe most of the women in my family use the one pictured here. i used it, too.

second helpings, please! a staple in jewish homes.

find a LARGE stock pot. add cold water and chicken thighs (or legs...or a soup bone, etc.). let it boil while you prep the rest. make sure to skim the fat off the top. 

now for the veggie prep!

carrots

onion

celery

throw it all in the pot and let it simmer for a few hours.  don't forget the S & P!!

hour 2.  take our the chieken before you serve.

yummy final product. add in some of the cooked chicken for protein.

serve with a side of fresh challah (for dunking!)

 enjoy! i hope this soup warms your soul!!
happy sunday!