This year Yom Kippur begins the evening of September 24, 2023. Many people have their favorite pre-fast meals that help them get through the day, others like to try new things, so I always like to offer up a filling pre-fast menu for anyone who wants some new ideas.
If you missed it around Tisha B’av or need a reminder, take a look at my fasting tips.
Before the fast, it is important to eat well, but not to overstuff ourselves and it’s always important to go light on the salt.
Here’s what I am making this year.
Vegetables and wild rice make this a hearty and satisfying soup to start your prefast meal.
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Since I have 2 kids that don’t eat meat, I will make the main a fish but you can make a chicken piccata if you prefer. Just go light on the capers.
A hearty side that can be served hot or cold is nice because leftovers can be part of breaking the fast.
End your meal with some ice cold fresh watermelon or these fun flavorful pops. Sure to hydrate, keep you cool and leave you as ready as can be for a fast.
For another menu from another year keep reading…
I love soup for both pre and post-fast meals, it provides nutrition as well as hydration. This spinach and potato soup is loaded with nutrients and just hearty enough without weighing you down. If you prefer something more earthy try this Non-Dairy Creamy Mushroom Soup.
Roast Chicken with Chestnuts and Orange Yam Mash
A chicken you won’t forget, delicious in every way. A whole roast chicken is the perfect pre-fast main, especially when combined with hearty veg, like this one. It could be a one-pot dinner, but I offer an extra side just so no one is hungry.
Since you won’t be kissing anyone after this meal, it is great time to enjoy lots of garlic. I love the way the roasted chickpeas pair with the greens, it’s also a wonderful vegan side that will help fill you up and keep you full.
Russian Tea Cakes with Cacao Nibs
Perfectly sweet cookies with slightly bitter nibs will leave the best taste in your mouth before the fast. Easy to make, and freezer friendly too.
What do you like to serve before a fast?
Nothing wrong with tradition 🙂
Do you mean this one? http://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/cranberry-quinoa-stuffed-zucchini/
I would love to get the creamed spinach quinoa with vegetables and cranberries recipe.
Thanks!
This is the recipe I use for creamed spinach – I modified a vegan recipe as follows:
Creamed Spinach
6 tablespoons pareve margarine
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped onion
5 0r 6 Shitake mushrooms sliced
1 bay leaf
2 cups pareve soymilk (or almond milk), unsweetened
One large bag frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed to get out water
1. Melt 4 tablespoons vegan margarine in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add flour and stir until light golden (this is the only step that takes time).
3. Stir in onion, mushrooms and bay leaf.
4. Gradually whisk in pareve milk.
5. Whisk until mixture boils and thickens, about 10 minutes.
6. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes longer, whisking frequently (sauce will be very thick).
7. Remove bay leaf
8. Add spinach to warm sauce, simmer over low heat until spinach is heated.
9. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons of margarine.
10. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve
Oh, yum, would love to see this a recipe on the site, do you know how to submit it here? http://www.joyofkosher.com/submit-a-recipe/
I don’t really have a recipe for Quinoa – For this meal, I’ll measure half regular and half red quinoa and after washing it like crazy, I simmer with twice the measure of vegetable broth. After 15 minutes, I’ll add sauted veggies and a handful of dried cranberries. Done.
G’mar chatima tova!
We eat a very tradional meal of Gefilte fish, chicken soup, roast chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli or another green vegetable. Followed by Honey Cake, Tea, and out the door to rush to shul!
LOL, thanks for sharing. Feeding the Hazan feels like a lot of pressure, got to make sure he can get up after Aleinu the next day 🙂
Your meal sounds perfect.
I’m also feeing the Hazan and his family.
My menu for before the fast:
Mushroom barley soup with baby lima beans
Roast chicken in orange glaze
“creamed” spinach
Quinoa with vegetables and cranberries
Almond tofu pudding
Everything is vegan except the chicken (of course)
If that doesn’t hold ’em, nothing will!
Some people have traditions for this meal that go way back and can not be changed, to those people I say plan a tremendous break the fast. 🙂
We only eat chicken soup with boiled chicken and rice.
My husband will not eat anything else.