Bukharan Vegetable and Fruit Stew

The author is also a rabbi, chef, historian and writer. This book has tons of useful and interesting information about the history of food in Jewish communities around the world.

This is a very good simple stew. I did not add the quince.

1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped
2 carrots, thickly sliced
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 turnip, peeled and diced
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 large quince, peeled, cored, and chopped (optional)
1-2 large tart apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until soft and translucent, 5 to 10 minutes.

Add the carrots, potatoes, and turnip and saute until well coated, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, optional quince, apples, parsley, cilantro and salt. Add water to cover the mixture. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until tender, about 45 minutes.


Olive Trees and Honey: A Treasury of Vegetarian Recipes from Jewish Communities Around the World, Gil Marks, 2005.

Tamarind Quinoa

Below is the original recipe. I didn't use the tamarind concentrate or the raisins, and used low-fat milk. Even so, this came out very good! The note in the cookbook says that it's a new way to dress up your quinoa.

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup minced onion
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
3 minced garlic cloves
2 teaspoons coriander seeds, crushed
1 cup quinoa
2 cups vegetable broth
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup low-fat coconut milk
1 1/2 teaspoons tarmarind concentrate
1/4 cup raisins
1/3 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro


Preheat a 2-quart pot over medium heat. Saute the onion, ginger, garlic, and coriander seeds in the oil for about 5 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Use a little cooking spray if needed.

Add the quinoa, broth, and salt. Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for about 20 minutes, or until most of the water is absorbed, stirring often. The quinoa should be tender and fluffy. Add the coconut milk and tamarind, and stir until the tamarind is completely dissolved. Fold in the raisins, peas, and cilantro. Turn off the heat, but keep covered to warm the peas through - about 5 minutes.


Appetite for Reduction, Isa Chandra Moskowitz, 2011