Tokyo, Japan has its first Jewish deli, courtesy of California-based brothers Evan and Ari Bloom. 

Blending flavors, they have created a fusion cuisine that takes popular Jewish foods and gives them a Japanese spin—the most interesting being the Bagel Bento Box. Pick from six flavors of dough (pumpernickel, sesame, poppy, plain, everything, and salt) and add local toppings like yuzu cream cheese and salmon roe.

The brothers are also curing their own pastrami made from Australian beef since the meat is not available locally, and will also be offering perennial favorite matzo ball soup. 

I’m curious to see if the Japanese palette will enjoy this type of food. Hopefully they do, so the market can expand and more delis can open. Very neat idea that can help break down barriers between the two cultures.

Can pork be made kosher? According to some sources, the answer may be yes, provided that pig is created in a lab. Those of us who believe in the legitimacy of the dietary laws—whether we follow them or not—know that pork will never, under any circumstances, be considered Kosher and I personally believe that any lab created meat should never be eaten.

This Frankenstein mindset is exceptionally dangerous, just as cloning has proven to be. I believe in science and I have no problem with research and experimenting to advance humanity, particularly in the medical field. However, that doesn’t mean we should have a free-for-all without any ethics or boundaries.

God has given us a blueprint for healthy eating. If we choose to eat foods that are forbidden, the likelihood of food poisoning is much greater. Even foods that are permitted, when improperly prepared or stored can be bad (such as consuming raw milk).

GMO food, lab food, and other scary edibles do not have to replace good, old fashioned fruits, veggies, milk, and meat. We must use our common sense and not let dollars and cents dictate every decision. Of course, dietary preferences will vary for families, but the information needs to get out there about what is safe and what is not.

Would you eat meat made in a lab?

If you’re anything like me (meaning you grew up eating typical Ashkenazi foods), Charoset consists of apples and nuts, and is eaten once a year on Passover.

Folks in the Sephardic community have a different take. This article discusses what Jews in Spain, Morocco, Italy, and Iraq traditionally enjoyed, along with an East-West fusion more recently created.

It’s so interesting to see Charoset, which I consider a condiment, pressed into truffle shapes made with dates (Moroccan version). I’m open to trying new recipes, especially with different types of dried fruit, but Passover purists may complain.

Normally, I try to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet that’s low in sugar. I say “normally” because that all went out the window when I hurt my neck in an accident. In addition to being excruciatingly painful, it has really limited my mobility. (It hurts to move my head in any direction, especially trying to reverse the car; sleeping; chewing; etc.)

I’ve been stuck at home, mostly in bed or on the couch, and feeling pretty miserable. My dearest friend, who lives very far away, has been trying to cheer me up by sending me lots of new recipes. (Don’t ask me why, but I love looking at food!) This one, which recreates a Wendy’s frosty, is my favorite. (Seriously, it’s becoming an obsession.) She found the infographic on Pinterest, I think, and I’m passing it along to all the other milkshake addicts.

I used chocolate cashew milk in mine and it turned out great, so don’t be afraid to experiment. I love that it’s only 3 ingredients, super quick to prepare, and very soft.

I’ll be going back to a mostly veggies and meat diet soon, but during this rough patch, having a daily treat is a lifesaver!