One of my absolute most favorite go-to kitchen staples for quick cooking meals in minutes is broth – especially around the holidays, when I don’t want to feel like I am cooking around the clock (even if I am!). I always have about a case of Vegetable and Beef Broth in my kitchen cupboard. Yes, a case, of each. I kinda love to stock up on the things that I love.
Another thing I just love for the holidays and especially Rosh Hashanah is cooking with simanim. It’s so totally my jam, my signature, my high holiday Jewish New Year thing.
Simanim – literally signs or indicators – are meant to point the way to improved circumstances. The most famous siman –
while the seeds of a pomegranate suggest our desire to maximize our “merits” and a bite (or more) of fish reveals our aspiration to maximize and build our Jewish families (we want to be fruitful and multiply like fish ).
Other simanim include beets, black eyed peas, cabbage, carrots, dates, gourds, leeks, spinach, a sheep’s head (OMG – yes I just said a sheep’s head!) and more.
These recipes are simanim inspired but quick to prep thanks to my handy dandy sous chef, aka Mani Broth. For the sheep’s head though, you’re on your own folks!
Start things off right with a sweet bite of Apple and Honey Stuffed Challah Rolls. Challahs should be round this time of year symbolizing the continuity of creation.
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Serve up a steaming bowl of Creamy Coconut Carrot Soup or Carrot, Quinoa and Spinach Soup coupled with a wish for more merits and mitzvos (carrots).
Or try my Apple and Parsnip Soup to revive our memory of Biblical blessings (apples). According to the Vilna Gaon (an 18th century famed rabbinic scholar and one of the most influential Jewish leaders in modern history), Yitzchak/Isaac blessed Yaakov/Jacob on Rosh Hashanah. We eat apples (tons of them) because we too want those holy blessings.
Present a platter of Date and Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs alongside Whole Wheat Stuffing with Leeks coupled with a plea to rid ourselves of our enemies.
Or swap out the Date and Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs for Chicken with Sautéed Apples and Fennel
My Best Briskets for the Holidays are:
Roasted Apple Brisket
Garlic Honey Brisket
Pomegranate Braised Brisket
And don’t forget to order my Brisket 101 Cookbook to master brisket once and for all.
My favorite simanim inspired Rosh Hashanah sides and salads include:
Black Eyed Peas with Green Beans
Pomegranate Glazed Carrots
Roasted Beets and Sweets (totally YUM with deboned Orange Chicken Thighs!)
Spinach Noodle Kugel
Simanim Salad with Pomegranate Balsamic Dressing
Wild Rice with Carrots and Beets
Spicy Sautéed Leeks and Spinach
Sweet Noodle Kugel with Dried Fruit
By now I am sure you are ready for dessert. In the apple family I recommend:
Apple and Cardamom Tart
Deconstructed Apple Pie
Applesauce Cake
Or try a Cute Carrot Cupcake
Or make it really easy on yourself (after all this you deserve it) with Chocolate Cake and Pomegranate Swirl Ice Cream.
Best Wishes for a HAPPY SWEET NEW YEAR and a K’TIVA V’CHATIMA TOVA: May you be inscribed and sealed (in the Book of Life) for a good year!
hi Yaakov – I know!!! So… I have it shipped special to me and am hoping that Manischewitz will officially start importing soon. In the meantime at Best Market in Ramat Beit Shemesh you can find most of the Imagine Soup line of boxed broths. as for shopping in Jerusalem – maybe the comments in this post will help you: http://www.joyofkosher.com/2013/06/calling-all-cooks-in-israel/
hi Debbie B I have them shipped special to me (OMG clearing customs was crazy – they were convinced that I was going to resell them considering the amount). At Best in Ramat Beit Shemesh they do carry most of the Imagine Soup (boxed broth) line. Hopefully we can get Manischewitz to officially import here soon!
I use the broth a lot. Gives soups a better flavor than plain water
I love using it for soups and sauces
I love to use them in soups!
I like to cook pasta or rice in broths.
I love to use chicken broth for different soups
Love using it when cooking quinoa. Gives it that little bit more flavor. Yum!
I like using Manischewitz products!
chicken stock in my cream of mushroom soup
Pumpkin Soup
It says you live in Israel, but I have actually never found these Manishewitz products here. Is there a place I can find this broth? I like it so much better than the chicken powder all the Israelis use. In fact, if you can recommend a place to shop in Jerusalem, that would be great!
i use broth in everything from soup to sauces on meat as they cook in oven. I love the inspiration you can get from using broth and all the possiabilities you can make.
Can’t wait to try the honey garlic brisket. I love your blog!
I love using the chicken broth with green beans- it gives them so much flavor!!!
I use broth to season my vegetables 🙂
I uae the broths in stir fry and mashed potatoes or rice dishes.
I love Manischewitz products and use them often
Soup, sweet onion kugel
I boil potatoes in broth for extra delicious mashed potatoes.
I love to use them for flavor and in making gravy! Having to eat gluten free, I have a hard time with gravy and already prepared products, so I do alot of home cooking! I would love to try the gluten free crackers too!!!
I use broth in all of my cooking. It’s great for soups, sauces and flavoring rice.