Rosh Hashana (AKA the Jewish New Year) and all of the fall Jewish holidays always creep up so quickly and so surprisingly despite having them etched solidly into the calendar. Funny huh? It’s probably the combination of just exhaling from summer holidays, then jumping back into work and school routines but simultaneously being occupied with Google searches for all our favorite holiday recipes!
This year I thought I’d make your already very full life easier by sharing a quick roundup of my favorite holiday recipes plus some holiday reading and thoughts to ponder.
Some links below are recipes on my website, some are from my favorite chef and blogger friends, and all I hope for is for you to have a delicious and meaningful holiday no matter how your recipe planning goes.
Crunchy Chopped Salad with Pomegranates
If you follow me on instagram you know that my favorite thing to make and eat is salad-which is lucky for you because I make a pretty damn good salad! I love getting inspiration from the grocery aisles and creating a new take on classics. This is my star studded holiday version of a traditional Israeli salad. Pomegranates take the place of tomatoes and combined with cucumbers, red onions, an abundance of fresh herbs, lime juice and some nuts and seeds-this salad will shine at your next table. Watch how I make it here. I had mine for lunch with a big dollop of tahini which took it to a whole other satisfying level. Watch how I make tahini here.
Mom’s Best Comforting Chicken Soup
There’s nothing quite like mom’s chicken soup and just like any good daughter would tell you, my mom’s chicken soup is the best. No, but really, this soup is so good. Check out the recipe to see what makes this soup so special and the extra steps my mom takes to make this soup extra clear and extra flavorful.
A Twist on Chrissy Teigen’s Amazing Chipotle-honey Chicken
These sweet and spicy chicken thighs are always a good idea and with honey being a star ingredient on Rosh Hashanah it’s a double win. Marinate your bird a day or two ahead of cooking so that all you have to at the last minute is pop your pan in the oven. I’m even giving myself the idea of adding these to my holiday table!
Flexible Infused Honey: An Easy-to-make Sweet Treat
Infused anything is all the rage these days—water, alcohol, oils, salts, sugar, and the list goes on. So, as we ring in the Jewish New Year, I had this fun idea to make infused honey with herbs, spices, citrus, fruits, and other yummy ingredients for my dinner guests. Jazzing up the tradition of dipping apples in honey (something we do every Rosh Hashana to symbolize a sweet year ahead) doesn’t take much time and really impresses guests! Go here to read the recipe.
Dairy Free Apple Cinnamon Crumble Cheesecake Bars
Nothing beats the combination of creamy cheesecake filling and delicious cinnamon spiced apples! These Dairy Free Apple Crumble Cheesecake Bars are a classic twist on an apple pie cheesecake with an allergy friendly spin using gluten-free flour for the crust and a dairy free filling! The center features a smooth cream cheese filling with a decadent hint of vanilla finished with a hearty crumble. What isn’t to love? Go here to read the recipe.
Baked Peaches Stuffed with Crunchy Oats
Run to the grocery store now to get the tail end of summer peaches because this relatively healthy dessert is a fun and easy alternative to a peach cake or pie. Leftovers could even double as a side dish for breakfast the next morning! If you do prefer a more traditional cake, try my peach cake too. You could even substitute apples for the peaches if you are looking for a great dense apple cake.
Apple Pie Stuffed Crumb Challah
Doesn’t this sound divine? Apple pie and challah all in one? This recipe by food blogger Nina Safar of Kosher in the Kitch offers this unique take on challah. I haven’t tried to adapt this to make it gluten free but I’m marking this down to experiment with. Excited to hear if you try this concoction and what you think!
Jewish Apple Cake
There are countless traditional Jewish cakes, but according to baker Dikla Frances and my friends over at Aish.com this cake is truly outstanding; it’s an explosion of warm, sweet, and comforting flavors. It supposedly comes with rave reviews and travels well to bring as a hostess gift. I plan to make this dairy free apple cake with gluten free flour and serve its as a breakfast treat this year!
Grapefruit Pomegranate Cocktail
Ring in the New Year with Jaime Geller’s Grapefruit Pomegranate cocktail! This spritzer is so refreshing and appropriate for your festive table. I’d serve this as a welcome drink before dinner-imagine being handed one of these beauties as you arrived for a dinner party! Or, perhaps serve as a lunchtime cocktail because yes, its a holiday!
Mindfulness: 2 Keys to Self-reflection and Improvement
In this insightful piece, my good friend Denes Ban shares a few powerful strategies to becoming a better version of ourselves and living more mindfully. Beyond the importance of a well planned menu and delicious foods to prepare and share with your loved ones, consider investing in ideas to ponder, share and grow from as we approach this holy holiday.
Have you tried these recipes?
I love to see your flexible creations! If you’ve made the recipes featured here—or any of my easily adaptable dishes—share a photo on Instagram and tag me @TheFlexibleChef.
