blacksunAdmin – Page 13

Chanukah Delights!

Posted on December 7, 2015March 7, 2018 by blacksunAdmin

The chanukiyah is lit each of the eight nights of Chanukah, in honour of the miracle of a tiny jar of oil, sufficient to light the menorah for one day, burning for a full eight days. It is traditional to eat foods prepared with oil, such as potato latkes and sufganiyot (Israeli-style donuts filled with jelly).

Dairy dishes such as cheese latkes are also customary. The Jewish heroine Judith helped secure a victory for the Jewish forces by slaying Holofernes, the vicious general of the Greek army. She gave him salty cheese to eat, followed by strong wine to quench his thirst. The wine caused him to fall into a deep sleep. Judith seized the sword of Holofernes and slew him with it. His soldiers fled, resulting in the victory of the Macabees.

Lighten up for Chanukah

Posted on November 8, 2015April 3, 2018 by blacksunAdmin

When the days are short and the long, cold winter nights descend early, Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, arrives.

Chanukah celebrates the miracle that took place over 2,000 years ago, when a tiny band of Maccabees were victorious over their enemies and a little jar of oil, enough to burn for only one day, miraculously burned for eight.

Read more “Lighten up for Chanukah” →

Pan-Pals Share Favorite High Holiday Recipes Over the Miles

Posted on September 7, 2015April 3, 2018 by blacksunAdmin

Summer is rapidly drawing to a close and the High Holidays are quickly approaching. The usual question on everyone’s mind is what to prepare for their holiday table and what can be prepared in advance in frozen.

When I asked some of my foodie-friends for their tried and true holiday dishes, I received several recipes for brisket, which is always a favorite, along with chicken and cabbage rolls. When it comes to preparing for the holidays, meat dishes definitely take center-stage. They’re excellent for the busy cook because they can be prepared in advance and frozen successfully.

Here are some tasty dishes that my pan-pals near and far will be enjoying with family and friends at their tables for the upcoming High Holidays, along with some sweet dishes and wishes for a sweet year. Enjoy in good health!

Say Cheese

Posted on August 8, 2015April 3, 2018 by blacksunAdmin

Shavuoth commemorates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai and is also the Festival of the First Fruits. The synagogue and home are decorated with flowers, plants and fruits. Dairy foods such as cheesecake and blintzes (which represent the shape of the Torah) are traditionally served.

Smaller individual cheesecakes baked in cupcake pans take less time to bake. You can also vary the fillings – e.g., chocolate, vanilla. Substitute different liqueurs (orange, coffee, hazelnut, almond) instead of vanilla. You can swirl melted semi-sweet chocolate into the batter. Fresh berries make terrific toppings. For praline cheesecakes, use brown sugar instead of white; garnish with pecan halves.

Try my Mini Cheesecakes – they are so versatile. They’re smooth and decadent tasting, yet low in fat. You can make them with Yogurt Cheese, which is fat-free and provides a wonderful creamy texture, or could also use sour cream. Enjoy!

Shavuot… Such Dairy Good Memories

Posted on May 7, 2015March 7, 2018 by blacksunAdmin

Although Judi Permut lives in Israel and I live in Toronto, we share many common memories despite the fact that we’ve never met. We’re both originally from Winnipeg and we both love to cook. Apparently, our mothers knew each other before Judi’s family made aliya to Israel over 30 years ago. Even our grandparents knew each other.

When Judi and I began corresponding by email this past winter, my mother told me an amazing story which surprisingly, I’d never heard before. Apparently, my zaida (grandfather) had wanted to marry Judi’s baba (grandmother), but she refused him and married someone she had known since childhood! Such curious twists of fate – her zaida could have been mine if things had turned out differently, but then I wouldn’t be me and she wouldn’t be her!