My thoughts on Jewish food.
Most people see steak as a special food for special occasions. But recently, we’ve begun a Sabbath tradition in our home of setting out some sliced rare entrecote for people to add to their tossed salad, at table. It takes almost no time at all to throw some seasonings on a steak and broil it, …
Some people really like sweet chicken a lot. I am not one of these people, especially since I’m doing low carb high fat, and sweets are, well, carby. But also because sweet food in Jewish cuisine, is typically characteristic of Jews from Galicia. Jews from Lithuania, from whence my ancestors hale, tend to prefer savory …
No Friday night meal is complete without chicken soup. That is, if one is Ashkenazi. And of course, chicken soup is folk medicine, too, having had its healing powers verified by the medical establishment. But not all the Jews went to Eastern Europe, and the Jews who ended up in Yemen, have their own healing …
Chickpeas are a traditional treat to serve at a Shalom Zachor, a sweet little party given in honor of the birth of a baby boy, held the first Friday night after the birth, with or without the guest of honor. Sumac, a Middle Eastern spice unrelated to the poisonous plant, offers an herbal piquancy to …
Now that winter is really here, our thoughts turn to comfort food to warm both hearts and bellies. This chocolate applesauce cake fits the bill, with or without the luscious chocolate icing. A great cake to snack on during a short winter Shabbat afternoon, or any time at all! Make it parve or milchig, depending …
Cholent, that rib-sticking Jewish Sabbath stew with its beef, barley, and beans, and overnight cooking, is the central focus of an old joke. A priest complains to a rabbi about his incessant insomnia. The rabbi says, “I have the perfect remedy: cholent. Eat it and you’ll sleep like a baby!” The rabbi gives the priest …
One of my children has remarked that one only likes matzoh balls the way that Mom makes ‘em. That is to say, if Mom makes sinkers, you like sinkers. If Mom made ‘em light as a cloud, that’s bound to be your preference. This is a marital conflict in the making. Because you’re making matzoh …
In summer, our thoughts turn to lighter, cooler desserts. These just hit the spot so nicely after a great Shabbos meal. My family loved this chocolate mint mousse pie I whipped up Friday morning. The downside? It took up precious space in my fridge. That problem was quickly eliminated as my family devoured the pie …