Cooking for the King
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Cooking for the King Winning Recipes for Shabbos and Yom Tov Renee Chernin Fabulous, easy-to-prepare cuisine designed to bring majesty to your menu BRAND NAME PUBLISHING The brand of excellence in Torah literature FIRST EDITION Copyright © 2013 by Renee Chernin Photocredits: Renee Chernin; p. 10, Floortje, Elene Elisseeva; p. 11, Paolo Florendo; pp. 14, 25, Joel Albrizo; p. 23, Louis Hemstra; p. 26, sjhuls; p. 35, 1MoreCreative; p. 59, Ivan Meteev; p. 70, Carolyn De Anda; p. 95, LianeM; p. 103, Bochkarev Photography Published by BRAND NAME PUBLISHING POB 27216 Jerusalem, Israel 97471 Tel: 972-2-585-9853 www.brandnamepublishing.com [email protected] Distributed in the U.S. and Europe by ISRAEL BOOKSHOP PUBLICATIONS 501 Prospect Street Lakewood, NJ 08701 Tel: (732) 901-3009 Fax: (732) 901-4012 www.israelbookshoppublications.com [email protected] Distributed in Israel by SHANKY’S 16 Petach Tikva Jerusalem, Israel Tel: (02) 538-6936 Printed in Israel All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from both the copyright holder and publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. ISBN 978-965-7552-04-9 FOOD STYLIST AND PHOTOGRAPHER: Renee Chernin LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION EDITOR: Suri Brand GRAPHIC ARTIST: Suri Brand PROOFREADER: Rina Baldinger COVER DESIGN: Ruby Chernin Errors or omissions in these pages are the sole responsibility of this author. For comments and suggestions, please contact Renee Chernin directly at [email protected]. Rebbetzin Feige Twerski Congregation Beth Jehuda Milwaukee, WI One of the basic premises in Judaism is that we don’t negate the physical dimension of our existence. On the contrary, the Torah is replete with G-d- mandated commandments that for the most part can be observed only through a physical medium. Curiously, the Almighty, who wants us to reach for spiri- tual goals, has seen fit to place us in a world of blandishments and temptations where we might easily lose sight of the ultimate purpose of our lives. The implicit challenge is to maintain balance, to enjoy the beauty and boun- ty that G-d has provided for us, using His blessings wisely in the service of His will. Clearly, eating is one of the great physical pleasures in life. One can engage in it in its most basic form, simply indulging at will—or use it to build a bridge between heaven and earth. Renee Chernin, in her book Cooking for the King, proves to be an expert at building this bridge. I know Renee personally, and she is a consummately spiritual individual. She is also a great cook. Renee’s recipes have been tried and tested, and her Torah insights have the capacity to transform food preparation from a mundane activity to the service of the heart and soul. Indeed, in using this book, one will find that there need not be contradiction or conflict, that culinary delights, so clearly physical, can also be supremely spiritual—truly heavenly delights. Feige Twerski contents acknowledgments 10 you are queen of the kitchen 11 success in elul—in and out of the kitchen 12 THE SALAD COURSE 15 THE SOUP COURSE 31 THE FISH DISH 45 THE ENTREE 53 THE SIDE DISH 71 DESSERT 93 index 109 you are queen of the kitchen I SPEAK WITH many women who are for guidance. His answer? creative cooks and delightful host- The Jewish home is unique because esses, yet I’m not surprised when they the Divine Presence dwells there. On confess that they really do not enjoy every doorpost is a royal sigil—a me- cooking. A secret I have rarely shared zuzah—announcing, “This is the pal- is that early in my marriage, I also ace of the King of the universe” (Eli- didn’t like to cook. It was a chore that yahu Kitov, The Jew and His Home, consumed my creative energy in the p. 210). never-ending cycle of planning, shop- Well, I thought, if my home is a pal- ping, preparing, and cleanup. ace, then that makes me...Queen! Yet today, I can hardly restrain my- And the work of running this pal- self from sharing a new recipe, seek- ace cannot be beneath me; it cannot ing out nutrition facts, and discover- confine me or keep me from what I ing cooking tips. My idea of a good really want to do—it is the very rea- read is just about any cookbook! son I am here on this earth. The wom- How did this transformation come an who, day in and day out, manages about? and cares for her Jewish home holds It was a choice. I realized that if I the key to eternity. The souls who live felt burdened in my own home by and visit there inherit her nobility. the needs of people I was designed to Managing our homes is creative, care for, the key to happiness must be holy work. Every Jewish woman is around there somewhere. I knew that not only Queen of her kitchen—she is if I really wanted to change my atti- Queen of her palace, crowned in noble tude, I’d have to ask the One Above service by the King of the universe. | 11 the simanim hints to Hashem THERE IS a well-observed custom to are and how much we depend on His eat certain foods on Rosh HaShanah benevolence. accompanied by requests to Hashem. The foods we use serve as a remez, We ask Him to save us, consume and a hint. We use them to “remind” destroy our enemies, and give us a Hashem of our physical needs. No, sweet new year. The most recognized Hashem does not need reminding; example of this is, of course, the dip- we and our needs are constantly on ping of apple in honey and asking His “mind.” However, on Rosh Ha- that our new year be as sweet as the Shanah, it is our overriding task to flavors of the succulent apple mingled enthrone Hashem as our King. On with delicious honey. inauguration day, we do not bother Clearly there is something else go- the King with our daily worries. But ing on here. While there are all sorts it is perfectly acceptable, even praise- of foods we eat either by command worthy, to give a siman, a “sign,” that or by tradition, nowhere else is a cus- we depend on Him for everything. By tomary food associated with a formu- making these requests in the form of a laic device such as this. Why don’t we hint, we relegate our needs to a place just ask G-d directly for our needs? of lesser importance. We state our Why are specific foods necessary to awareness that crowning Hashem punctuate the request? King is the primary focus of the day. The practice is based on a gemara Tap into the magnificent opportu- (Kerisus 6a), and we are cautioned by nity this Rosh HaShanah to acknowl- the Sfas Emes not to take this custom edge and appreciate that we serve the lightly. He says that we should not King of the universe in His court, the simply recite the request, but rather domain of our everyday lives. Our we should implore the Almighty with family and community, our challeng- all of our hearts! Our heartfelt plea es and strengths, landscape the realm may arouse His mercy; it should also over which our Father, our King, pre- make us aware of how vulnerable we sides. 16 | the salad course Traditionally we eat these foods because their names sound like the good we hope Hashem will bring in the new year. Although certain foods are traditionally eaten as simanim, you may use any food that carries an association with blessings in any language. Before eating each siman, say a special request associated with that food: Apples and honey—they are sweet. “May we have a good and sweet year!” Carrots—gezer in Hebrew, also means “decree.” “May He remove a bad decree!” Beans—lubia in Aramaic, sounds like rubia, which means “increase.” “May our merits be increased!” Beets—silka in Aramaic, also means, “remove.” “May our adversaries be removed!” Dates—tamrai in Aramaic, sounds like “consume.” “May our adversaries be consumed!” Leeks or cabbage—karti in Aramaic, means “cut off.” “May our enemies be cut off!” Gourd—kara in Aramaic, also means, “tear and proclaim.” “May our decrees be torn and our merits proclaimed!” Pomegranate—has many seeds. “May our merits be as numerous as the seeds of a pomegranate!” Fish or sheep head—as the verse says, “Hashem shall place you as a head [strong] and not as a tail [weak].” “May we be like the head and not like the tail!” Chicken livers—leberlach in Yiddish, sounds like “live honestly.” “May our children always live honestly!” Raisins in celery—sounds like a “raise in salary” in English. “Let us have a raise in salary!” the salad course | 17 Simanim Dip with Beet Chips MAKES 10–12 SERVINGS Many families make a “Siman Seder” for the first course. Here’s a cute way of serv- ing two simanim at once. The bright beet color contrasts beautifully with the rich roasted squash. Any winter squash works here. If you are up for a potchke, you can save a bundle by making your own beet chips. 1 medium butternut squash, halved and 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.