In this week's parsha we witness the tremendous outpouring from the people with contributions of gold, silver, copper, embroidery and more for use in building the mishkan. The generosity was overwhelming that they had to be asked to stop giving, there was more than enough. As I imagine how amazing it must have been to witness this outpouring from the people, I also wonder (as I do most every Shabbat) when is enough, enough? There are days when I prepare a chicken soup, but my oldest child doesn’t like pieces of chicken, my middle child doesn’t like carrots, and my youngest – hold the celery. Sometimes, you need a notepad to keep track of the requests coming from the kids table. These days I separate out most of my meals Make Your Own style. Whether it is a salad bar, a rice bowl or taco night, everyone gets to make it themselves at the table and I love changing it up on Shabbat.
This is a new way to serve chicken soup, spiced up and topped with your choice of avocado, tortilla chips and extra limes, everyone can make it the way they like.
Feel free to mix up the offerings with steak and/or portobello mushrooms in addition to chicken, there are so many ways to let everyone make it their own.
The rice is already flavored, but you can leave some plain if you know some guests (or children) are really picky.
A fun addition to your meal and you can make lime and cilantro optional.
End the meal with the perfect crispy crunchy dessert, chocolate sauce optional (but who can resist the dip?).
To see last year's menu for Vayakhel click here.
