A Secret Shabbat Menu

This week’s parsha is a story of faith, vision, and secrets. Hashem asks Avraham to embark on a journey without revealing his final destination until he gets there. Later, Avraham and Sarah navigate hidden truths in Egypt, and Hashem is called the “God of Seeing” as He promises an elderly couple a legacy as infinite as the stars in the night sky.

In honor of the mysteries revealed throughout Lech Lecha, this week’s Shabbat menu is all about “secret” recipes! These are the dishes where the magic is tucked away inside—from wrapped pastries and hidden savory fillings to mystery fall soups—proving that seeing (and tasting!) really is believing.

The Weekly Challah

Start the meal with a challah that holds its own delicious secret! Whether stuffed with sweet caramelized onions, roasted garlic, or a sweet cinnamon-sugar swirl, slicing into this golden braided challah reveals a surprise inside every slice.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

In Israel, fall soups like this are affectionately known as “Orange Soup” (Marak Katom), and part of the fun is that you never quite know which autumn vegetables are blended inside! Smooth, velvety, and warmed with sweet fall spices, this butternut squash soup keeps everyone guessing while warming you up from the inside out.

Lamb Turnovers

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Hand pies, empanadas, bourekas, and turnovers are the ultimate mystery foods—crispy on the outside, with a savory secret tucked inside! These flaky golden pastries are filled with spiced ground lamb and caramelized onions, making for a fun, mouthwatering appetizer.

Shepherd’s Pie

What’s hidden beneath that luscious, golden-brown top layer? Beneath a creamy, roasted cauliflower crust lies a deeply rich, slow-simmered meat and vegetable filling. Digging your spoon through the top layer to reveal the savory main beneath makes this a cozy, comforting centerpiece.

M’Hencha

End your feast with a jaw-dropping Middle Eastern dessert. Named M’hencha (which means “coiled like a snake”), this dramatic coiled pastry wraps crisp, flakey layers of phyllo dough around a secret filling of sweet, spiced almonds and orange blossom syrup.

For more Parsha Lech Lecha menus click here.