Inter-cultural recipe: Salty noodle pie with cheese

The cooking of the Sephardic communities is different to that of the Ashkenazi communities. But there are some dishes which are very similar, only differing in the use of some of the ingredients, or some of the cooking techniques.

Inter-cultural recipe: Salty noodle pie with cheese
The cooking of the Sephardic (Jewish communities established in Central Europe and Eastern Europe since the Middle Ages) communities is different to that of the Ashkenazi (Jews that were expelled from Spain and settled in countries of the Mediterranean and the Middle East) communities. But there are some dishes which are very similar, only differing in the use of some of the ingredients, or some of the cooking techniques. On this occasion I propose to you an easy dish that is frequently on the table of both communities at Shavu\'ot: makaron con keso or lokshn kugul mit keis: a savoury noodle pie with fresh cheese.

Ingredients

• 350 grs. dried noodles (Kasher brands: de Cecco, Barilla, Buitoni, Dia, Gallo, Mazaneque).
  
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  
• 3 eggs, slightly battered
  
• 100 grs. white cheese Philadelphia (unflavoured)
  
• 150 ml liquid cream (or sour cream)
  
• 100 grs. white cheese Villalón or Havartí (diced)
  
• 250 grs. grated cheese (Mozzarella for pizzas, Emmental )
  
• Salt, pepper (or nutmeg)
  
• (Optional: butter or margarine to grease the mould or recipient)
  

Preparation

• Boil the noodles in salted water. Drain and add some oil to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
  
• In another bowl mix the Philadelphia white cheese with the eggs, the cream and the grated cheese. Add this mixture to the noodles and stir. Season with salt and nutmeg. Pour the mixture into a round oven dish and bake for 30 minutes at 180 degree (Celsius).

Serving
Sephardim use broad, flat dishes (like cake moulds), whereas Ashkenazim use tall recipients, in both cases greased with margarine or butter to make the turning-out of the pie easier. This is the photo my mother, Mame Rojel, sent me of her very special lokshn kuguel mit keis.