Traditional Recipes to Make for Shavuot

Some say Shavuot is the most important Jewish festival, especially among Reconstructionist Jews. The holiday takes place seven weeks from the second day of Passover—or May 16-18, 2021. If you’ll be celebrating for the first time this year, learn more about this sacred Jewish holiday and what traditional activities and recipes go with it.

What is Shavuot?

Shavuot celebrates the harvest season and the giving of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites on Mount Sinai. It is synonymous with Judaism itself and has been treated as such for centuries. Shavuot was originally an agricultural festival celebrating the “first fruits” of the wheat harvest in Eretz Yisrael, which continues all summer and ends with Sukkot in the fall. The festival developed into something more as Israelite farmers came to thank God—not only for the harvest but also for the laws and traditions of the harvest.

For instance, Israelite law requires observers to treat the Sabbath as a day of rest for humans and animals alike, even during the busy planting and harvesting seasons. Eventually, the book where the laws of the harvest were recorded (the Torah) came to be regarded as divine. Likewise, the harvest feast became a celebration of the Ten Commandments and the revelations in the Torah.

Shavuot Traditions

In this day and age, no specific mitzvot (commandments) are associated with Shavuot because Jews living worldwide can no longer bring agricultural offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. Still, several customs and rituals remain, including:

• Tikkun Leil Shavuot (staying up late or even all night studying the Torah)

• Reading the Book of Ruth from the Bible (known as Writings) during religious services

• Decorating the home with greens and fresh flowers

Recipes for Shavuot

Jewish families gather together to enjoy a meal featuring traditional Shavuot dishes. Kosher dairy products are common because these foods remind observers of the Torah’s sweetness and recognize that Israel is the land “flowing with milk and honey.” Here are some traditional recipes you may want to try this Shavuot:

• Crustless Cheese and Vegetable Quiche: This light, cheesy dish combines a frittata and a quiche into one. It’s perfect for family breakfast or lunch on Shavuot.

• Kosher Cheesecakes: Rich and creamy, sweet with a touch of sour—whatever flavor you’re craving, you can find a kosher cheesecake to fit the bill.

• Blintz Soufflé: It’s no surprise that baking cheese-filled crepes into a sweet egg and sour cream-based custard makes for a crowd-pleasing casserole.

Ready to shop for your Shavuot feast? Head to NetCost Market for everything you need! We are a local supermarket with a global reach, helping our customers save time and money by offering a world of food all in one place. Over the past 20 years, we have expanded to 12 locations, now serving customers in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Shop with us to enjoy a comfortable, gratifying experience complete with online grocery shopping and home grocery delivery. Delicious Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas

Mother’s Day is May 9, 2021. After you’ve picked out the perfect card and a thoughtful gift, take a load off Mom’s shoulders by preparing a delicious family feast. From appetizers and desserts to mains and sides, we’ve got plenty of ideas to make this the tastiest Mother’s Day you’ve ever had!

1. Best Deviled Eggs: This recipe is the perfect way to kick off Mother’s Day dinner. The yolks are nicely flavored with tangy ground mustard and sweet dill weed. Try one of the featured variations that add bacon, chipotle peppers, or crab meat. 2. Herbed Ricotta and Fresh Tomato Tart: Mom is too special for just any ordinary pizza. Try this upgraded version, which incorporates ricotta cheese, heirloom tomatoes, and fresh parsley. Everyone will want a slice of this scrumptious Mother’s Day appetizer! 3. Greek Salmon: This delicate salmon dish is as beautiful as it is delicious. The topping consists of tons of veggies, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion. Still, if you want to be extra healthy, serve the fish over a bed of arugula or spinach. Salmon also pairs well with couscous or mashed potatoes. 4. Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken: This deceptively simple and satisfying dish is one the whole family will love this Mother’s Day. It combines just the right amount of lemon, garlic, and heavy cream to produce a heavenly flavor. Serve it with pasta, rice, or quinoa and steamed broccoli or green beans to complete the meal. 5. Summer Pesto Pasta: It may not technically be summer yet, but it’s not too early to break out the grill! You’ll need it to cook the corn, squash, zucchini, bell pepper, and onions that go in this pasta salad. The bright colors and bold flavors are vegetarian-friendly if you’re working around any dietary restrictions. 6. Spring Green Salad with Apricot Vinaigrette: Everyone will be eager to eat their veggies with this spring salad on the table. It incorporates several in-season produce items, including shallots, watercress, scallions, and cucumbers. The homemade apricot vinaigrette conveys to your mom just how much you care. 7. Lemon-Lime Bars: Surprise Mom with these easy dessert bars. With classic ingredients like butter, powdered sugar, flour, and baking powder, you just might already have everything you need to whip up this springtime dessert. 8. Strawberry Cupcakes with Whipped Cream Frosting: These cupcakes use jam or preserves in the batter to prevent weighing them down. Then, you can use fresh strawberries as a garnish atop the sweet, homemade frosting.

Once you’ve compiled your Mother’s Day dinner shopping list, head to NetCost Market for everything you need. We are proud to be a local supermarket with a global reach, committed to helping our customers save time and money. We’ve expanded over the past 20 years, now serving customers from 12 locations in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Shop with us for a comfortable, gratifying experience complete withonline grocery shopping and home grocery delivery. Traditional Cinco de Mayo Foods

What’s your traditional Cinco de Mayo menu? If tacos and margaritas are your go-to, that’s ok, but not very authentic. How much do you actually know about this holiday? Most of what’s considered traditional is not very true to the cultural heritage of the day.

So, what is Cinco de Mayo? Here’s what it’s not: Mexican Independence Day. It actually celebrates victory of the Mexicans at the Battle of Puebla, during the Franco-Mexican War. Not familiar with that one? It came after Mexico’s independence from Spain, the Mexican-American War, and the Mexican Civil War. In Mexico, it’s primarily celebrated in the Puebla region.

What we’ve lost in the celebration of Cinco de Mayo in the U.S. is the cuisine associated with Puebla. Known as a culinary capital before the Spanish explorers even arrived, Puebla’s food includes dishes like lamb barbacoa smoked underground in banana leaves, and carnitas with queso fresca, pickled onions, and salsa verde, wrapped in a warm corn tortilla. If you’d like a more authentic Cinco de Mayo, try these three classic dishes from Puebla.

• Mole Poblano: The ultimate combination of old and new world cooking practices and ingredients, this dish is rumored to have been created in the Santa Rosa convent in Puebla in the late 17th century. The recipes are complex, but once you taste this thick, dark sauce, it will all be worth it. For another version, try this Chicken in Mole, Puebla Style.

• Chalupas Poblanas: Chalupas may have been named after baskets in which women of Colonial times carried things to the river, or they may have been named after Aztec boats, but however they were named, they’re an iconic street food now. Fried thick tortillas are topped with salsa, shredded meat, chopped onion, and sometimes queso fresco. Want to try more than one recipe? Here’s another version of Chalupas Poblanas.

• Chiles en Nogada: One of the most celebrated dishes in Puebla, this is also said to have been invented at a convent. This time it’s the convent of Santa Monica, and the dish was made for Agustin de Iturbide, the first emperor of Mexico, upon his visit in 1821. Signifying Mexico’s independence, Chiles en Nogada features the colors of the Mexican flag: red, white, and green. It’s got picadillo stuffed poblano pepper dipped in egg batter, fried, and topped with walnut sauce, pomegranate seeds, and parsley for a sweet and savory flavor.

Whether you’re making an authentic Cinco de Mayo feast or just an ordinary weeknight meal, you’ll find everything you need at NetCost Market. For over 20 years, we’ve been committed to helping our customers save time and money while offering them the world of food all in one place. It’s our goal to provide authentic, high-quality food products from local farmers as well as suppliers from around the world. When you shop with NetCost Market, you’ll find a comfortable, gratifying shopping experience that even includes online grocery shopping and home delivery.

Spring Inspired Recipes – What’s in Season this April?

It’s April, spring has been rolling along since March, and some delicious produce is coming into season. Eating fruits and vegetables that are in season is beneficial in many ways. Fresh, seasonal produce tastes better, is loaded with nutrients, requires fewer pesticides, is fresher, and helps reduce your carbon footprint. What’s in season? We’ve got a list and some great recipes for this month.

• Vegetables are abundant at this time of year. Look for asparagus, broccoli, artichoke, carrots, cauliflower, cabbages, Brussels sprouts, rhubarb, turnips, spinach, and peas to get started creating delicious recipes. Want options that may be a little less familiar? Think saltwort, beetroot, fennel, dandelion, and endive.

• A few fruits are beginning to be in season in April. Oranges, lemons, apples, and pears are here, with early strawberries coming at the end of the month.

• We’ve got some recipe suggestions to add to your repertoire. Give some of these a shot to make the most of April’s seasonal produce: o Fennel and Arugula Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette: Meyer lemons compliment the peppery arugula and crisp fennel for a deliciously simple salad. o Strawberry Pasta Salad: This tasty salad features bowtie pasta, strawberries, crystallized ginger, and mint. o Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms: This side dish works well with a variety of spring entrees and features vegetables roasted in olive oil and finished in butter. o Chilled English Pea Soup with Crab and Meyer Lemon: This refreshing soup features crème fraiche, delicate herbs, and lump crabmeat. o Broccoli Rabe and Avocado Salad with Lemon Dressing and Herby Molten Eggs: This recipe joins together warm and cold ingredients on one plate for a dish that’s delicious and light. o Smoked Trout with Roasted Radishes and Fennel-Stone Fruit Salad: This unique dish features almond oil, apricot kernel vinegar, honey vinaigrette, and tart, underripe peaches. o Citrus Herb Roast Chicken: This one pot meal uses fresh herbs, lemons, and onions for a beautiful spring flavor. o Bucatini with Mushroom Ragu, Dandelion Greens, and Tarragon: The rich flavor of dried morel mushrooms make this a first- course pasta that’s flavorful but not too filling. o Strawberry-Buttermilk Cobbler: Finish your spring meal with this dessert made of fluffy biscuit and sweet, juicy strawberries.

When you’re looking for fresh local produce and all the ingredients for a special springtime meal, you’ll find everything you need at NetCost Market. For over 20 years, we’ve been committed to helping our customers save time and money while offering them the world of food all in one place. We’re a local supermarket with a global reach, providing a selection of everyday food products as well as a variety of culinary delights from around the world. It’s our goal to provide authentic, high-quality food products from local farmers as well as suppliers from around the world. When you shop with NetCost Market, you’ll find a comfortable, gratifying shopping experience that even includes online shopping and home grocery delivery.

What to Eat When Breaking Your Ramadan Fast

Ramadan, the Muslim high holy month, begins on April 12th. It’s a month of family togetherness as well as charity and spirituality. The tradition during Ramadan is to fast from sunrise to sunset, and then break the fast with dates, in keeping with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Dates are typically served at Iftar, the evening meal that breaks the fast each day, but they’re not the only thing served at this meal. Incidentally, Iftar is not the only meal of the day during Ramadan. Suhoor, a pre-dawn meal, is eaten to provide energy to carry the faithful through the long day of fasting.

• Dates are a great choice for breaking a fast. They’re high in sugar, fiber, minerals, phytonutrients, and vitamin C, and they contain potassium, magnesium, iron, and small amounts of protein and fat. They’re easy to digest, help readjust the body’s glucose levels, and can satisfy the sensation of hunger and prevent overeating.

• Dates are a popular food in the Middle East, and are featured in some delicious recipes: o Moroccan Stuffed Dates o Makrout with Dates and Honey o Lamb or Beef Tagine with Dates

• What is traditionally eaten during Iftar? Iftar is a social event- a large feast shared with family and friends. It’s traditional to break the fast with a sip of water and some dates, then proceed to the meal. The components of the meal vary between countries, but include fruit juices, drinks based on milk and fruit, and water. Fruit is often eaten, and soup is traditional, typically a meat broth with lentils, beans, and pasta or grains. Plan to eat a balance of starchy foods, produce, dairy products, and protein-rich foods.

• What are the best foods for Suhoor? For this meal, you’ll want to have plenty of fluid-rich foods, as well as starchy foods to help provide energy for the long day of fasting. Oats, especially when made with milk or water, are a good choice, and can be topped with dried fruit, nuts, or seeds. You might eat high-fiber breakfast cereal, starchy foods like rice or couscous, or bread, particularly pita bread or chapattis, perhaps with nut butters or soft cheese. Yogurt is also a good choice at Suhoor because it provides nutrients and fluid. Whether you’re cooking a feast to break your fast, or just need everyday groceries, you’ll find everything you need at NetCost Market, including some Halal products. For over 20 years, we’ve helped our customers save time and money while offering them the world of food all in one place. We’re a local supermarket with a global reach, providing a selection of everyday food products as well as culinary delights from around the world. It’s our goal to provide authentic, high- quality food products from local farmers as well as global suppliers. When you shop with NetCost Market, you’ll find a gratifying shopping experience that even includes online shopping and home grocery delivery.

9 Tasty Recipes for the Easter Holiday

Whether you take a religious or secular approach to the holiday, no Easter celebration is complete without a tableful of delicious, spring-inspired dishes. Upgrade some of your old favorites with these foods to make for Easter.

• Baked Orzo with Mushrooms, Peas, and Cheese: Casseroles are an Easter staple. Bake up something different with this creamy dish starring orzo pasta and Romano cheese. This dish is so delicious and easy to make that it’s likely to become a year- round favorite.

• Lemon Gnocchi with Peas and Spinach: Soft potato gnocchi is the perfect pasta for any spring holiday. The creamy, citrusy sauce combined with sweet peas and baby spinach makes for a hearty, flavorful side dish.

• Rack of Lamb with Pesto: Tender, oven-roasted racks of lamb taste absolutely scrupulous when paired with pesto sauce. This Easter recipe suggests opening a can of pesto, but you can also make your own from scratch if you prefer.

• Hot Cross Buns: Make these little rolls a new part of your Easter tradition. This recipe dresses up traditional hot cross buns with plumped currants and a lemon zest glaze.

• Roasted Potatoes and Artichokes: This side dish is ready to take center stage on your Easter dinner table. Red potatoes take on a life of their own when served alongside tangy, marinated artichoke hearts. Is your mouth watering yet?

• Red Cabbage Slaw with Black Garlic Dressing: This isn’t your ordinary coleslaw. It consists of shredded red cabbage and carrot, green onion, and Black Garlic hummus dressing. A cilantro and roasted peanut topping lends a hearty, earthy taste to this Easter dinner side dish.

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