What's in the Cholent?

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "What's in the Cholent?"

Anyway, for all of you who have had the experience, I am sure that you will agree that it's truly not a Shabbat meal without a big pot of cholent (or, should I say, dafina, as my Sephardic friends say). And it's not a bowl of cholent that you want to eat unless you've hand-picked every single scoop of it yourself, even if you don't quite know what it is you're looking for to begin with.

(Credit photo: Becky via https://www.flickr.com/photos/35694730@N00/2738330081/in/photolist-5aYE8B-5LdtsL-5YkAgM)

What's in the Cholent?

Happy Turkey Day

Actually, unhappy turkey day.

But Happy Thanksgiving.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Happy Turkey Day

Big Blue Plates

Wow, those are some BIG blue stone plates.

Also, like the blue ocean and shells as the backdrop on the wall. 

Favorite color is BLUE!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Big Blue Plates

Making Off With The Passover Buffet

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Making Off With The Passover Buffet."

I see Chabad not only performing genuine good deeds, but also always b’simcha (in happiness) with a big smile, even generously letting others take the Passover buffet home with them. To me, this is truly a taste not just of a festive and kosher Passover, but of the times of Mashiach where rather than fighting over the scraps of food, there is so much plenty and caring that we can’t even give it all away.

(Credit Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)

Making Off With The Passover Buffet

Delicious Purim Seudah

Purim Seudah last evening. 

Because I don't eat gluten, my son-in-law made me eggs as the bun for the burgers!

Healthy, good-looking, and delicious eating. 

Also, had some tasty spicy mayo to top it off. 

Thank you for the beautiful, festive holiday meal.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Delicious Purim Seudah

Gourmet Butternut Squash

Wow, my daughter made this amazing gourmet butternut squash.

Kale, pine nuts, lemon, and a little butter. 

Made a beautiful display and it tasted wonderful, especially for something healthy. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Gourmet Butternut Squash

Hot Dogs With All The Toppings

Wow, incredible hot dogs with everything on it. 

My son-in-law, Itzchak, made these for Memorial Day this past week. 

OMG, they were soooo good!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Rebecca)

Hot Dogs With All The Toppings

Meatballs Piled High

Lots of little meatballs piled high. 

Probably goes well with some nice long spaghetti and saucy sauce. 

Mix it up and serve it steamy hot.

Around the table, everyone dig in. 

Oops, don't spill the sauce on your shirt.

Keep some Tums around for any after effects. 

It's hearty meatball and spaghetti night. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Meatballs Piled High

It's Good To Know What You're Eating

Who knew what all these parts of the cow were called when we're in the butcher shop or supermarket?

Rump
Chuck
Shank
Prime Rib
Short Rib
Rib Eye
Tenderloin
Sirloin

I guess we don't waste much in a dog eat dog world!

The poor cow is tasty to eat, but what did she do to any of us? ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

It's Good To Know What You're Eating

Salad and Falafel

Continuing the healthy eating trend...

This was delicious salad and falafel with Tzatziki sauce and Italian dressing. 

It was so fresh and good.

Honestly, I wanted to eat more of this. 

Who needs all the junk foods. 

This looks good, tastes good, and is good for you!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Salad and Falafel

What Did The Turkey Say To The Chicken?

"Misery loves company" -- even with a chicken and turkey.

Someone always has it worse.  

Too funny!  ;-)

Thank you to my son-in-law for sharing these.  

What Did The Turkey Say To The Chicken?

Preparing Simchat Torah Dinner

It was great going to Magen David Synagogue today to help prepare for the big Simchat Torah Dinner tomorrow night. 

First, we started with great ingredients.

Then all the prep.

The cleaning, slicing, dicing, mixing, laying it all out, and braising.

Then the cooking--stovetop, and oven.

And before you know, it comes out all done and ready for the scrumptious shul dinner to honor the Torahs.

I want to thank all the women and men that helped out today and many other times to prepare.

But especially, I want to call out Naomi Elimelech who coordinates everything and is the brains behind all the delicious and healthy food. 

She and her husband, Itzik, who is also the President of the synagogue, are truly wonderful, caring, and giving people and a role model for all of us--and it's not just the cooking!

B'tayavon everyone and Chag Sameach!  ;-)

(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

Preparing Simchat Torah Dinner

Cholent Stew - Not Just A Game

So I can't believe they actually made a "strategy card game" about cholent. 

The only strategy that I know of with cholent is to make it hot, goopy, meaty, and savory. 

Cholent is a beef stew typically eaten for Shabbat lunch. 

Basic ingredients: beans, barely, potatoes, fatty fanken meat, sometimes a kishka is thrown in, onions and other veggies, salt, pepper, and lots of savory spices. 

Usually it cooks in a crock pot overnight. 

The sephardim call this dish Hamin (instead of cholent) and typically put in some hard-boiled eggs as well. 

With cholent, you can essentially throw in the kitchen sink as long as it add to the heartiness and flavor of the dish. 

Eating cholent is such a tradition that it is almost considered a special mitzvah to do it. Ah, would that make it commandment #614? 

When cholent is served at the kiddish (the meal after Shabbat services in synagogue), it is usually the highlight where everybody gathers around with big laddles to dig in and get the nice portions of meat bopping around in the stew or often sunken to the very bottom to be found and surfaced by the lucky lunch patrons. 

In New York, my friends used to have a running joke that there was a secret ingredient the Rebetzin used to make it so good--what it was, all bets were on. 

The biggest problem with cholent are the loads of beans ("the musical food") and the most unpleasant odor-filled aftereffects--and of this we will not speak again! 

What type of game can you play with cholent? You can probably just toot out the answer when you're ready. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Cholent Stew - Not Just A Game