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Keftedes me Prassa

Bite-sized pan-fried patties, commonly called keftedes, represent a cherished delicacy in Sephardic cooking. These leek patties offer a flavorful fusion of savory beef with the gentle, mildly sweet essence of tender leeks, and they are truly addictive.

Makes 12

• 4 leeks
• 250g minced beef meat
• 2 fresh eggs
• 1 tbsp matzo meal
• 1 tbsp chopped dill, diced
• 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
• ½ tsp sweet paprika
• Extra virgin olive oil, for frying
• Lemon slices, to serve

Thoroughly wash the fresh leeks well and cut away the roots and the majority of the green tops. Chop in half longways then into half-inch rounds. Transfer in a deep frying pan and fill with fresh water, then heat over a moderate heat for about 20 mins or until softened.

Remove the water from the cooked leeks and transfer in a large mixing bowl with the minced beef, eggs, matzo meal, chopped dill, parsley and paprika and spice well with pepper and salt. Mix thoroughly using your palms then form a couple of spoonfuls into a patty, pressing a slightly. Set on a tray and continue for the rest of the ingredients.

Preheat olive oil in a frying pan to a amount of about ¾ inch over a moderate heat. When the oil is hot, cook the patties in batches until crispy on both sides. (Don't overcrowd the frying pan as this drops the temperature of the oil.) Remove the cooked croquettes to a dish covered with kitchen paper and let to cool.

Serve with lemon slices.

Spinach Patties

These spinach with cheese croquettes are a genuine treat. The crunchy crust gives way to a creamy filling. The leafy spinach imparts a vibrant, slightly green taste, while the dairy gives a deep, savory richness. Feel free to swap the cheese with boiled, mashed potato if you prefer.

Makes 16–18

• 1kg baby spinach (or about 500g frozen spinach, thawed overnight in the refrigerator)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced small
• 2 garlic pieces, finely chopped
• 100g salty cheese, grated finely
• 80g ricotta
• ½ tsp grated nutmeg
• ½ tsp mild spice
• 120g breadcrumbs (1 and ¼ cups), plus extra if needed
• 3 fresh eggs
• Cooking oil for pan-frying (or vegetable oil)
• Fresh lemon, to serve

For leafy greens, clean it carefully, getting rid of any stalks, and cut into it into sizable portions. Place in a large saucepan with a bit of liquid over a moderate heat. Once softened, remove in a sieve for about 15 minutes, then press out any excess liquid and reserve.

For thawed frozen spinach, carefully squeeze out unwanted moisture.

Warm the oil in a skillet over a moderate heat and saute the onion and garlic cloves until softened, about a few minutes. Take off the stove.

Place the cooked spinach, sauteed onion and garlic, kefalotyri, ricotta, nutmeg, sweet paprika, breading and beaten eggs in a container and flavor with pepper and salt. Mix well until incorporated. If the dough appears too wet, add some additional breadcrumbs.

Using your hands, mold the dough into elongated patties a bit bigger than a walnut shell but smaller than an egg, and put them on a tray topped with baking paper. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes.

In a wide pan over medium flame, warm cooking oil to a depth of about 1 centimeter. Brown the patties a small batch for 2–3 minutes each side, flipping so they are crispy completely, then put on paper towel.

Serve with lemon wedges.

Kroketes Fakes

With their crispy exterior and soft inside, these croquettes are not only delicious but also a highly healthy snack or main course.

Yields 12

• 45g dried brown lentils (0.25 cup)
• 90g bulgur wheat (½ cup)
• 125ml olive oil (half a cup)
• 1 large onion, minced
• 1 tsp cumin spice
• 1 tbsp mint leaves, diced
• 1 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 fresh egg
• Salt and pepper, to liking
• Yogurt and lemon slices, to accompany

Add the lentils in a pot and submerge with plenty of cold water. Cook over a moderate heat for about 20 mins or until partially softened, including additional water to maintain the pulses submerged if required.

Mix in the cracked wheat and continue cooking until softened. Remove the water from the ingredients completely and set aside in a mixing bowl.

Preheat half of the