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The Feast Goes On - a conversation with the Monday Morning Cooking Club and a recipe for Ricotta Cheesecake

21/5/2014

 
Monday Morning Cooking Club
The Monday Morning Cooking Club (image courtesy MMCC)
'Here's a nice-sounding recipe. Take six women from mixed backgrounds and heritage, all with a passionate interest in food and cooking, and eating. Mix them all together in a kitchen once a week and give them free rein to cook the dishes they have learned from their Jewish mothers, grandmothers, aunts, uncles, neighbours and family friends. And what do you get? Well, firstly you get the Monday Morning Cooking Club. And then you get a couple of wonderful cookbooks. Oh, and enduring friendships and fun.'

                                     -- Margaret Throsby, ABC Classic FM, speaking about the Monday Morning Cooking Club

Renowned broadcaster, Margaret Throsby, gave the best possible description of the Monday Morning Cooking Club in her introduction to an interview with club member Lisa Goldberg recently!

Merelyn Frank Chalmers, Natanya Eskin, Lauren Fink, Lisa Goldberg, Paula Horwiyz and Jacqui Israel started meeting once a week to cook and chat over coffee in March 2006. Three words became their mantra: share the recipes, inspire people to preserve their family recipes; and give all the profits to charity. They dreamed of writing a cookbook and, using their combined skills of cooking, fressing (eating ravenously) and perseverance, they slowly grew that seed into their dream. Their first book, Monday Morning Cooking Club - the food, the stories, the sisterhood, was published in April 2011 and was for them 'like the birth of a child'. They were so inspired, excited and encouraged by the success of that book, that another was bound to follow. This time, the call went out across Australia and the MMCC were inundated with hundreds of recipes from readers all over the country.

The Feast Goes On features the best-loved and most delicious recipes and stories from the heart and soul of the Jewish community across Australia, it speaks of a community drawn together by food, telling poignant stories of sharing and survival, love and hope, friendship and family. But mostly, it's about the food.

I caught up with the Monday Morning Cooking Club by email and I'm sharing our conversation (and a recipe) with you: 

Congratulations on your second book, The Feast Goes On. Just like your first book, it’s a lovely collection of recipes and a beautiful book. I am delighted to share it with my readers. You must all be so excited!


Liz we are incredibly excited!! The feedback from the book so far has been beyond our wildest dreams.

Please tell me a little about how you all met:

We came together eight years ago with a seed of an idea to write a cookbook and raise money for charity. We knew we didn’t want to do a spiral bound “kindy” fundraiser book, as much as we have all enjoyed them over the years and think they create such great community spirit. We wanted to create a cookbook that could sit in any bookstore in the world, alongside any of the best cookbooks in the world. [I think you have certainly achieved this goal!]. We then started to meet every Monday morning (thus the name!) and the project slowly evolved into what it is today - a platform for collecting, preserving and sharing the treasured recipes of our beautiful community. With raising money for charity being the icing on the cake!


To cook the types of beautiful food that you all cook, it's important to have a well-stocked larder, so what staple ingredients or whole foods do you always stock in your larder?

Merelyn: Unsalted butter, flour, eggs, sugar, povidl, sour cream for baking. Chickpeas and lentils for middle eastern cooking. Roasted almonds for snacking on while cooking! In the fridge, loads of fresh herbs, salad leaves. On the kitchen counter, lemons. I go through buckets of them.

Lisa: My aim is to be able to bake anything at any time so I always have cake essentials - butter, flours, eggs, caster and brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, canned fruit, jams, sultanas and nuts in the pantry. Chicken soup, stock and homemade tomato sauce is in the freezer at all times. Onions, garlic, tomatoes and lemons are always on my kitchen counter.

Natanya: Lots of onions, brown for frying and red to add to salads, plenty of good quality dark chocolate and loads of biodynamic eggs.


What fresh ingredients are always in your shopping basket?

Merelyn: Rocket, radicchio (a healthy addiction), flat leaf parsley, mint, coriander, lemons, skinny Lebanese cucumbers, carrots, sheeps milk yoghurt, cauliflower mopping up roast chicken juices, or roasting alone for a moroccan cauliflower salad, deep red carrots whenever I can find them.

Lisa: At the moment you will always find fennel (I am crazy about it, finely shaved and dressed with lemon juice, salt and evoo), iceberg lettuce (the tighter the better!), rocket, avocados and dozens of lemons in my basket.

Natanya: Always lots of lemons and avocado, rocket, fennel and heaps of fresh parsley, coriander and mint.


Who are your food heroes, or who inspires you the most when it comes to food and cooking?


Merelyn: Claudia Roden for her preservation of old Jewish recipes and documenting the history of so many interesting Jewish communities. Ottolenghi for making middle eastern food fresh, light, and accessible to everyone. Nigella Lawson for making the love of cooking so attractive and accessible. And I still bake from Jill Dupleix’s Old Food very constantly.

Lisa: I’m most inspired by my late Bubba (grandmother) Shendel. My father tells stories of life in Poland in the 1930s where Shendel made a beautiful and warm home for her family in quite difficult circumstances. Her cellar was a treasure trove of delight - pickling and preserving many things - and her kitchen always produced freshly baked breads, cakes and strudels. All the food she prepared was done so with much love and care, and my father’s wonderful tales still inspire me! In contemporary cuisine I am in awe of Stephanie Alexander - her Cook's Companion is really a cooking bible and her food/cooking knowledge is second to none. I think Neil Perry is amazing, not only for what he has done for Australia in the world of food but for creating the most wonderful restaurants for us to enjoy again and again.

Natanya: My first cooking bible was Stephanie Alexander's The Cook's Companion from which I learnt so much.


When it comes to the cookbooks you cook from, do you prefer to keep the pages pristine or do you like it when they’re well used and the pages are just a little splattered?

Merelyn: I love annotating cookbooks, my little notes become a history of the kitchen I’ve been cooking in. I note if my current oven is running hot or cool, and therefore does the recipe need longer or shorter to bake. I note my adjustments to ingredients in savoury dishes, I sometimes note what my family think! I also have a notebook where I document visitors for dinner and what I’ve fed them.

Lisa: I like nothing more than a splattered cookbook. This tells me the book has been used and loved. It makes me so happy with I open a book I haven’t touched in years and there is that pasta sauce recipe with tomato splodges all over!

Natanya: You can easily tell which are my favourite and well used cookbooks from the state of the pages and all the sticky notes attached.


Do you have an all-time favourite recipe (either in the book or on your blog)?

Merelyn: That’s like choosing your favourite child! My mother’s chiffon cake recipe in our first book is a clear winner, and my aunty’s chocolate prune cake from the second book takes me back to my childhood in Perth.

Lisa: It really does change all the time and you would probably get a different answer in a month’s time. From ‘The Feast Goes On’ it is my aunty Myrna’s cabbage rolls because they are SO delicious, immediately take me back to my childhood, and remind me of my much-missed aunty. On the blog, my favourite recipe is the salmon with tahini dressing. It is a superb dish for home or entertaining (impressive and do-ahead!) and we love the fact that Greg Malouf’s tarator salmon, via MMCC’s stint on SBS Food Safari, became an MMCC staple.

Natanya: Favourite recipes change with the seasons and over the years. I have had many from both our books but one that I always come back to is Lena Goldstein's Kindlech. The light and flaky pastry is unbelievable!


What's on the agenda for the MMCC for the rest of 2014?
Merelyn: We’re busy promoting the Feast Goes On, and hopefully launching it overseas later this year. Any left over time will be spent feeding our families and starting to formulate our third book.

Lisa: Lots of fun in and out of the kitchen. We’ll be promoting ‘The Feast Goes On’ across Australia for some months, and then hope to take it overseas. We will then continue with our greatest and most enjoyable task - collecting, preserving and sharing recipes from our wonderful community across Australia - which involves many delicious and unforgettable hours in the kitchen - testing, tasting and writing.


What’s for dinner tonight?

Merelyn: Carrot and fennel soup and slow roasted lamb

Lisa: It’s a big Friday night (Shabbat) for my son’s birthday so I am making egg and onion (a staple Friday night starter at my place, from our first book, recipe on our website), slow cooked beef with ras el hanout and maple soy ocean trout (both from ‘The Feast Goes On’). My sister in law Kathy is making the birthday cake - a Celebration Chocolate Cake... with 23 candles!

Natanya: Nanna's chicken balls (from The Feast Goes On) to feed a house full of kids and a huge pavlova (from our first book).


And, finally, is there a recipe you would like to share with Good Things readers?
MMCC: Yes, Suzanne Goldberg's ricotta cheesecake from page 278 of The Feast Goes On. This cheesecake has been a family favourite for over 30 years  and originated from a relative in Israel. It's a large cake and is great for feeding a crowd. We normally eat it on the day it's baked, but it sets beautifully overnight in the fridge and becomes easier to slice. Sometimes we fold through a jar of pitted cherries. We hope you and your readers will enjoy this cheesecake as much as we do.

May our recipes fill your homes with heartwarming and luscious dishes. May you, and your friends and family, feel nurtured, nourished and loved just from the eating. May our stories inspire, engage and move you, and give you a unique insight into our extraordinary community.

[Thank you ever so much!]

Ricotta cheesecake from The Feast Goes On...

Ricotta Cheesecake by the Monday Morning Cooking Club, from The Feast Goes On
Ricotta Cheesecake from The Feast Goes On (image courtesy MMCC and HarperCollins)
RICOTTA CHEESECAKE
7 eggs
290 g (11/4 cups) cups caster sugar 
1 kg fresh ricotta cheese, drained if wet
250 g sour cream
3 tablespoons custard powder
1½ tablespoons cornflour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
finely grated zest of 1 lemon

Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease and line a 28 cm springform cake tin or a 24 cm square cake tin. Using an electric mixer, whisk the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the cheese and beat until smooth, then add the remaining ingredients and beat until well combined. Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 1 hour, or until golden and puffy. The cake will rise during baking, then fall once cooled. Serves 12-16. 
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The Feast Goes On by the Monday Morning Cooking Club, $49.99, HarperCollins. All MMCC profits from the book will go to charity.

Thank you again very kindly to the Monday Morning Cooking Club and the publicity team at HarperCollins for giving me the opportunity to review The Feast Goes On and catch up with all of you. There is much to cook from here and I can barely wait to splatter, annotate and cover the pages of this delicious book with sticky notes! Starting with this cheesecake!
The Feast Goes On by the Monday Morning Cooking Club
The Feast Goes On by the Monday Morning Cooking Club (image courtesy HarperCollins)

Tell me dear readers, are you a fan of the Monday Morning Cooking Club? Which of the books do you have on your shelves and what is your favourite MMCC recipe? (I know, it's hard to choose!).
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
19/5/2014 06:04:45 pm

I was in Los Angeles and a great shop and cafe Joan's on Third featured a display of their books! It was nice to see something from Australia there :D

Lizzy
19/5/2014 06:16:24 pm

Wow, Lorraine, I can well imagine! I am really proud of the achievements of the MMCC!

Jennifer Milk and Honey link
20/5/2014 12:03:05 am

I really enjoyed listening in on your conversation. I am so getting that book/s. ;)

Lizzy
20/5/2014 12:49:03 pm

Jennifer, thanks so much! Enjoy : )

Zsuzsa link
20/5/2014 07:56:49 am

They had me with the ricotta cheesecake. I will look for these charming ladies.

Lizzy
20/5/2014 12:48:48 pm

Thank you Zsuzsa, you will LOVE their recipes! I know it.

e / dig in hobart link
20/5/2014 12:32:02 pm

what a great interview, lizzy! i loved hearing what the ladies always have in their pantry and shopping baskets. - like having a polite sticky beak! i agree with merrelynn's comment about annotating cookbooks. they become important reference tools that way.

Lizzy
20/5/2014 01:52:13 pm

Thanks so much, Elizabeth! Very kind of you. I like to annotate just as you do : )

John @ Kitchen Riffs link
20/5/2014 12:47:12 pm

The Monday Morning Cooking Club is new to me. Sounds like a fun group! And do they know how to cook -- this Ricotta Cheesecake looks stupendous. Thanks for this.

Lizzy
20/5/2014 01:51:31 pm

John, many thanks for your kind words... you might find their books in your part of the world.... and be sure to check out their blog too!

Deena kakaya link
20/5/2014 01:40:31 pm

Your cheesecake looks so deep, creamy and moist x

Lizzy
20/5/2014 01:50:42 pm

Thanks Deena... wish I could take credit for the cheesecake, but all credos to the lovely ladies in the Monday Morning Cooking Club! : )

ela@GrayApron link
20/5/2014 05:01:08 pm

I like how they got the name. Great ladies, I admire all their hard work!
The cheesecake looks fantastic!
ela

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:39:09 am

Yes, Ela, The Monday Morning Cooking Club is a great idea! And such a lovely group of ladies.

Eha
20/5/2014 05:16:08 pm

Thank you for this oh so interesting info! Have to do some homework and count up what is in my purse :) ! Coming to Oz as a post WWII refugee kid I ended up in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs and Dover Heights Girls' High matriculation class [at the time it was not common for girls to reach for Uni and we were all aiming and getting C'wealth Scholarships!] Well, am a gentile but out of 14 in the struggling class 11 were Jewish - can you imagine the wonderful cultural upbringing I had quite divorced from anything scholastic - I simply became most families' favourite shiksa . . . . and the food, the incredible food . . . :) !

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:39:49 am

Ah, Eha, you are full of such wonderful stories, my friend!

Liz Body
20/5/2014 09:46:51 pm

Love the look of this ricotta cheesecake and loved reading the interview. I must do more interesting cooking for my family. Definitely going to look up and buy this cookbook, looks like a classic for my kitchen!

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:40:38 am

Hello Liz, thanks for popping in to comment! Yes, do indeed add this one to your kitchen... and may I just tell you, their first book is a beauty too!

Anna Johnston link
21/5/2014 01:18:19 am

Dang girl, you have ALL the fun times. Ive not heard of this group, but it sure sounds fab, and so does the cheesecake. Yarmmy! :)

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:41:46 am

Thanks Anna, I would have loved to have made it to the launch in Sydney, but, alas, was unwell at the time, DANG!. Yes, they are a wonderful group.... and I could eat a piece of that cheesecake right now : )

Maureen link
21/5/2014 01:14:52 pm

These women are such an inspiration both for the quality of their work and their goal to preserve recipes from the past.

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:42:15 am

I agree with you 100% Maureen! : )

Liz link
21/5/2014 01:59:38 pm

Wow, that cheesecake looks incredible! And from the sound of these ladies' shopping lists and pantries, I have a feeling I'd love ALL their recipes. Magnificent interview!

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:42:55 am

Liz, I know you would LOVE their books... did you know that they are available in the States too?

Gourmet Getaways link
21/5/2014 02:06:11 pm

What a great group! Congratulations! I'm getting that book and definitely giving this stunning ricotta cheesecake recipe that you so kindly shared.

Julie
Gourmet Getaways

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:43:40 am

Thanks Julie, the MMCC are an amazing bunch... and, yes, do buy the book... and maybe the first too! The cheesecake looks scrummy, no?

Krista Bjorn link
21/5/2014 02:18:41 pm

What an inspiring and talented group of ladies. :-) I'm so glad their dream became a reality. :-)

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:44:07 am

Isn't it wonderful, Krista? : )

Hotly Spiced link
21/5/2014 06:04:36 pm

I love this story Lizzy, and how from small beginnings and a social gathering over coffee, so much has evolved. Who would have thought! The girls are very talented and you can tell there's so much love in their kitchens xx

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:44:42 am

Thank you, Charlie... there is indeed much love in their kitchens, xox

InTolerant Chef link
22/5/2014 12:06:15 am

Delicious recipe, nice and creamy! I'd love to be part of a group like this, food and fun can't be beat :)

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:45:14 am

So true, Bec.... we could start a small group in Canberra xo

Eva Taylor link
22/5/2014 12:10:39 am

Great interview and I love the recipe. My friend makes something similar but it's savoury.

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:45:43 am

Thank you, Eva... oooh, a savoury version of ricotta cheesecake, yum!

celia link
24/5/2014 09:22:54 am

Good on them! Great read Lizzy, and the ricotta cake looks divine! :)

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:46:27 am

Celia, thank you so much.... I will be trying this cheesecake very soon methinks xo

David Scott Allen link
25/5/2014 08:02:48 am

What a fun interview! Thanks, Liz! And thanks to you and them for the wonderful recipe!

Lizzy
26/5/2014 09:46:49 am

David, thanks so much!

Laura (Tutti Dolci) link
27/5/2014 12:48:59 pm

I've always wanted to make ricotta cheesecake, this looks divine!

Lizzy
27/5/2014 12:49:42 pm

It sure does, Laura!

Lisa Goldberg link
2/6/2014 10:29:54 pm

To all the lovely people who have commented here - and of course to Liz - wow!!!!! Thanks for all the beautiful comments, you have just made our day. Happy cooking all! Lisa and the MMCC girls xx

Lizzy
6/6/2014 09:05:14 pm

Lisa and the MMCC team, thank you!!! xoxo

Cakebaker
8/12/2015 12:52:05 am

I came across the Monday Morning Cooking Club book the other day..... I was drawn to the cover and the inscription by Yotam Ottolenghi....another favourite cook of mine. I have started searching your recipes on Pinterest and came across this ricotta cheesecake recipe so am interested to try it out......I will tweak it a bit and add some brandy soaked raisins......


Comments are closed.

    Welcome...

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    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

    ​Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion.
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