Author Archives: The Jewish Lady

My Rosh Hashanah Menu

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One of the things I love most about Rosh Hashanah is cooking a special meal! Here are all the delicious foods I will be making for Wednesday night. Since most of these are large dishes, we will probably be eating them again on Thursday.

* Round Challah (I am buying 1 plain and 1 raisin, but if you’d rather bake, there are many amazing recipes at Secret of Challah.)

* Apple slices dipped in honey (Use one that’s crunchy)

* Atlanta Brisket

* Sweet carrots (sauté in orange juice, margarine and honey. So good!)

* String beans

* Raspberry Jam cake

Some years, we do turkey for a main course and others, it’s beef. This is a brisket year. Dessert is usually a Honey cake, but I had a request for the jam cake instead. If I have time, I will make a noodle kugel, but it’s going to be a busy week, so not sure yet! Anything that doesn’t end up on my Rosh Hashanah menu will be moved over to my Yom Kippur Break-the-Fast menu.

This is a carb and sugar-heavy meal that’s light on veggies, but since I normally serve/eat healthy food, I do make an exception for Holidays. I’ll go right back to my normal food when it’s over. (It’s ok to cheat every once in a while.)

What are you cooking for Rosh Hashanah?

My Experience With Hermosa Peak Yacon Syrup

The fantastic folks at Hermosa Peak sent me some Yacon Syrup to sample. Not sure what that is? Neither was I! Basically, it’s a sweetening agent made from a South American plant that resembles a sweet potato. This is what it looks like in whole form.

It can be used as a sugar substitute once it’s distilled (similar to how maple syrup is made). Diabetics would really benefit from using Yacon Syrup, because it is low glycemic, low carb, and it doesn’t raise insulin levels. Some people say that it’s a metabolism booster and a weight loss aid. Dr. Oz did a diet challenge on his show that featured it.

Yacon Syrup can be used in baking, salad dressings, BBQ sauce, and marinades—almost any recipe that calls for honey or sugar, really! I tried it in tea and on top of oatmeal. The taste of the syrup is mild and doesn’t overpower food or drinks. It’s been compared to molasses. I thought it tasted kind of like raisins. The only thing I didn’t like it mixed into was coffee.

I averaged about 1-2 spoons per day, experimenting until the bottle was gone. While I didn’t personally experience any weight loss, I think this is a great sugar substitute that would help anyone who wants to eat healthier. We are all eating way too much sugar and it’s important to cut back anyway we can; with Yacon Syrup, it’s painless. I would definitely buy Hermosa Peak Yacon Syrup!

Atlanta Brisket

I am a born and raised Yankee, but I love this recipe for Atlanta Brisket like a true Southerner would! I don’t know what it is about brisket, but wow, is it tasty! I love to make brisket for holidays and this is definitely going on my menu next week.

Why is it called Atlanta Brisket? Coca-Cola is used (Georgia being the birthplace of the world’s greatest soda). Make sure you get regular Coke. I drink diet, but it’s not as good for cooking. My version is pretty standard, but I eliminate the ketchup and only add a few seasonings. I want the flavor of beef to shine through, not tomato!

To make Atlanta Brisket, you will need:

* 3-4 Lb beef brisket

* 1 TSP oil (can be olive or veggie)

* 2 Cans Coke

* 4 Large onions (any kind will work, but I love Vidalia)

* 2 TSP brown sugar

* 2 TSP chopped garlic

* Salt/Pepper to taste

Whisk the Coke, brown sugar, and garlic in a bowl. Set aside.

Trim any excess fat from the brisket. In a large pot, heat the oil and brown the beef on all sides. Sprinkle each side with salt/pepper as you go. (This step takes approximately 10 mins.) Remove the beef from the pot and add in the chopped onion. Cook until the onions are soft. (Another 10-15 mins.)

The brisket can be cooked in the oven or in a slow cooker. Usually, I make mine in the oven. If you also prefer the oven, heat it to 300 degrees. Put the brisket in a 9X13 Pyrex or a disposable pan. Layer the onions on top, then pour the contents of the bowl over everything. Cover with foil. Bake for 4 hours. It’s done when you can easily slip a fork in. Remove from the pan and let rest on a platter for an additional 30 minutes before slicing. Pour reserved sauce over the meat and onions.

Atlanta Brisket is literally melt in your mouth perfection! I like to serve this with any kind of potatoes or rice. If you’re not feeding a big crowd and have leftovers, it makes wonderful sandwiches the next day (think French bread and mustard)!

Target: Free Cookie Dough & Cheap Games!

Cheap board games and free cookie dough? Yes, we can get both at Target with a new sale!

Through 9/27, when you purchase any signed Hasbro game priced at $9.99 or higher, you’ll score a free Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Use coupons to further lower the cost.

Buy Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough for $2.54 and Hasbro Battleship, on sale $14.00. Use a $3.00 Manufacturer’s coupon stacked with a $3.00 Target store coupon. Total: $8.00 for a game and free cookie dough!

Buy Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough for $2.54 and Hasbro Twister, on sale $14.00. Use a $3.00 Manufacturer’s coupon stacked with a $3.00 Target store coupon. Total: $8.00 for a game and free cookie dough!

This would be an awesome deal for a family fun night.