But I also really want to be here despite the sadness today, with my mission and desire to encourage you to keep cooking, sharing food with those you love and build communities around your tables in the most inclusive, loving, open and delicious way that you can. We need each other more that ever right now, so lets keep gathering, both in the memory of those whose lives have been lost, those who are still missing and to build a more peaceful future for all of us in out own little way, one meal at at time.
The recipes below celebrate peak citrus season, using blood oranges, pink cara cara’s, and big leafy navel’s as well as their vitamin C packed cousins. Bright sunbeam shades and sweet tang packed dishes are your new crowd pleasers. But please keep reading until the end because I also have an exciting little announcement. So buckle up and let’s get zesting (and reading).
Old Fashioned Chicken
Kicking off the citrus festivities with one of my all time favourite chicken recipes. A serious contender for my biggest winter crowd pleaser, it’s only made a couple of public appearances – once at a class and as a marinade for a turkey breast at one of my Thanksgiving Supper Clubs. But it’s now officially out here for you all to make and share around your table.
The name is a little misleading – it’s not old fashioned in the biblical/generational recipe sense, but because it’s packed with all the flavours of my favourite Old Fashioned cocktail and a marinade of bourbon, orange marmalade and the aromatics of bitters. In hindsight I really should have called this bourbon chicken, but by the time I though of it, I’d already uploaded the video to youtube and it was too late to change it………so here we have it, a possibly misnamed utterly delicious pan of chicken.
This is a lip smacking recipe and one that you can make on repeat for a crowd with unrivalled success. I cannot wait to hear what you think of this doozey.
Citrus Carpaccio
Brace yourselves, my love of fruit in salads has continued into 2025. Following on from last summer’s Cherry Salad, Watermelon Panzanella and Melon & Cucumber Salad, I am here with a plate of citrus, laced with crisp fennel & celery, fresh herbs, briney olives, a hit of heat and a good glug of peppery olive oil to finish things off. This dish is a winter gift.
But because you know how much I love a variation, there’s also the perfect brunch side or dip with the citrus laid on top of thick Greek yoghurt for the tangiest schmear. But you will need to watch all the way to the end of the video to see how……a true test of your dedication!
And Now for Something Quite Exciting……
I am beyond thrilled (actually pinching myself) to let you know that I have 3 recipes appearing in cookbooks coming out this year and I am excited to let you know they are all available to preorder now.
The first to hit the shelves is Jewish Sweets by Kenden Alfond, releasing in the States in March and available in the UK from April. It’s a beautiful community cookbook with a collection of 100 recipes from bakers around the world. You will find a version of my Rhubarb Crumble Bars amongst the pages of sweet treats. (USA link is here)
April sees the release of Sesame by my completely inspirational friend and all round champion Rachel Simons, founder of Seed + Mill, arguably the best halva and tahini available (and soft serve to die for). Rachel’s debut book is dedicated to the humble seed, a tiny ingredient we all know and love with a massive and diverse culinary impact across the globe. This stunning book takes us on a historical and geographical sesame journey illustrated by a selection of Rachel’s mouth watering recipes and contributions from some of my all time biggest food heroes. It’s such an incredible honour to have my Halva Pistachio Coffee Cake sitting amongst these pages. (USA link is here)
October sees the launch of Dobre Dobre, the second book by the inimitable Laurel Kratochvila of New European Baking fame and Berlin’s most well known bagel destination, Fine Bagels. Laurel’s second book, follows on from her debut James Beard Award Finalist status and the recipe that forever changed how I make pastry. Dobre Dobre is a collection of Polish baking recipes, old and new, Jewish and Diasporic, and how the tradition has transcended wars and endless migration, now appearing in our global bakeries and recipes. This exquisitely photographed and written book is a history lesson told through stories and recipes for breads, cookies, rugelach, decorative cakes and old favourites, including my Polish grandmother’s Apple Cake. (USA link is here)
Both Rachel and Laurel will be in London as part of their book celebrations and I’ll be hosting them for In Conversations and hopefully a Supper Club, so watch this space…..and get ordering (pre-orders make a huge difference to authors). These books are indispensable additions to any collection.
Before I Go…..
As always, thank you for being here with me to celebrate the highs and the low’s of what life throws at us. It’s such an honour to gather around our virtual table, cooking the same dishes at the same time, building our community even when we are not physically together.
See you in a couple of weeks with more citrus love and other musings. Until next time……sending love xxx