Awe & Mystery: The “Smoky” Shabbat Menu

This week’s parsha describes incense burning, clouds of glory, and smoke rising from the altar. The fire inspires awe and the smoke adds a sense of mystery. Sometimes you just need to throw down a little smoke at your Shabbat table—because we could all use a little more mystery in our lives, don’t you agree?

From the “incense” of the grill to the fiery kick of harissa, this menu is designed to engage all your senses as we transition from the holiness of Shabbat straight into the joy of Purim.

The Weekly Challah

We’re kicking off the Purim spirit early by shaping our Shabbat Challah into giant Hamantaschen. You can even hide a little savory filling inside—like sautéed onions or poppy seeds—to keep the “mystery” theme going.

SMOKY CORN CHOWDER

We’re starting with a soup that packs a powerful punch. This corn chowder is surprisingly vegan, but you’d never know it from the rich, creamy texture and the deep, smoky undertones. It’s a warm, comforting bowl that feels like an invitation to the meal.

APPLE SMOKED TURKEY BREAST WITH APPLE ROSEMARY SALSA

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We’re bringing the fire outside! This turkey breast is slow-cooked using applewood to infuse every bite with a delicate, smoky sweetness. If it’s too cold to grill, you can achieve a similar “mountain-top” awe by making a Southwestern Turkey Breast, letting the smoked paprika and spices do the heavy lifting. 

DOUBLE STUFFED SWEET POTATOES

Since we’re serving turkey, we might as well embrace the festive vibes with these marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes. The charred, gooey marshmallows add another layer of smoky sweetness to the plate. Who says we only get to eat like this once a year?

PAN CHARRED GREEN BEANS WITH HARISSA AND ALMONDS

These aren’t your basic boiled beans. We’re giving them a quick “flash-char” in a hot pan to get those smoky, blistered edges. The harissa adds a fiery kick—reminding us of the altar’s flame—while the almonds provide a necessary crunch.

GINGERBREAD HAMANTASHEN WITH SPICED APPLE FILLING

Since Purim starts the moment Shabbat ends, we’re ending our meal with a festive head start. These gingerbread Hamantaschen are warm, spicy, and filled with a jammy apple center. They are the perfect way to wrap up a smoky, mysterious Shabbat and head straight into the revelry of Purim.

For last year’s Shabbat Menu Tetzaveh.