Barbeque Meatballs

This is the first time I have cooked in my Jerusalem kitchen, we ate out the last two nights because we were so exhausted from doing grandparent things and trying to get organised here all at the same time. We thought we were mummy and baby sitting tonight while Josh was out but he stayed in and he, Bas and the baby are having some quiet time.

So I decided to cook dinner, well I had to start sometime. I don't have any recipe books here, yet and fruit and veg are very seasonal here , which is good because you get some kind of annual rhythm to food here which you don't get in the UK because we can get anything.

I bought rather a large quantity of minced meat in the market yesterday, it was all bagged in kilos so we lugged home 6lbs of mince along with 3 chickens, a kilo of something for stew but I'm not sure what and various wings and giblets for soup.

There was only one choice for tonight, meatballs in barbeque sauce. I have a great recipe for them at home, the challenge was to remember it. I kind of did, with a few adaptations and they were pretty marvellous so here goes.

Meatballs
1kg minced steak
2 eggs
a large dollop tomato ketchup
bread crumbs or matzah meal
salt & pepper

Mix the above together so it forms a firm, bound mix that can be easily shaped into balls.

The sauce
1 cup black coffee (sounds weird but really is the magic ingredient)
1/2 cup tomato ketchup
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar ( really doesnt matter what type)
1 clove garlic finely chopped or crushed
juice of a lime, lemon or orange (whatever you've got in the kitchen)
1/4 cup oil or margarine
pinch of hot pepper

Bring all the sauce ingredients to a boil in a large wide necked pan
Make meatballs the size of small tomatoes and drop into the sauce.
Simmer for at least one hour on a low light, the longer the better it tastes.
Serve with pasta or rice and a salad. YUM!

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy

Back in the Jerusalem Kitchen

I've just been introduced to my new kitchen for the next six weeks here in Jerusalem, actually it's my Israeli kitchen for the next year and it is completely different from the one in Manchester, it's going to take a bit of getting used to.

It's self contained like the one at home, not open plan, and well equipped as far as I can see but with just Alex and his housemate living here, I can see it definitely needs a womans touch.

The suitcases are still unpacked because I need to clean the drawers out first, there is clearly a lot to do.

Basya's mum arrives from the USA soon, we are meeting her at the airport and Basya and the baby are coming home later today. We have to and pick up the crib, buggy and car seat before that. Maybe we'll eat out tonight....