I have seen many gorgeous fruit and nut platters created for Tu B’Shevat celebrations, but this tree, constructed entirely of fruit, is breathtaking! Aside from the time it would take to cut everything into pieces, it’s not complicated at all, and looks so striking on a bright white plate. Just Lovely and very inspiring to me!
One of the coolest parts of blogging is getting to connect with other bloggers who share similar interests. One of my favorite new blogs is Almost Kosher. As the name suggests, this awesome site is devoted to “Kosher-style,” cooking (food which is not technically kosher but could be produced as kosher if one wishes).
Started by a talented lady named Chava, she views cooking as a spiritual journey that connects her to people and Judaism through food. Raised in the Bay Area of California, she was exposed to a myriad of cultures and learned to appreciate many ethnic flavors and incorporate them into her own creations.
Browse through the recipe collection and you’ll find tasty tidbits from Israel, India, Africa, Mexico, China, and more! Anyone dealing with a restrictive diet will appreciate the selection of dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan foods. Lots of good options for holidays and Shabbos as well. Some of my favorites include:
Chicken Tandoori (Slow Cooker version)
Israeli Garlic Roasted Chicken
All three are flavorful, filling, and provide much needed inspiration to snap out of the plain old chicken rut. (We eat chicken 3 times a week at least, and some days, I get so sick of it!)
Another neat idea that I can’t wait to try is making a brisket in a pressure cooker. While I’ve made/eaten many, many briskets in my life, I’ve never tried that particular method. Doesn’t this meat look amazing?!
If you’re searching for an easy way to put a unique spin on classic dishes, Almost Kosher should be on your list.
What a whirlwind the past few days have been. I’ve spent a lot of time getting ready for the holiday, and I’m happy to report that all the gifts are wrapped, the menorah is polished, the decorations are displayed, and my Hanukkah menu is finally complete—with a day to spare; imagine that!
In our home, we have a big celebration on the first night and then do just a little something for the other nights. After the gifts, the food seems to be the most important. While I enjoy trying/tasting new recipes, the other folks I’m feeding are not as adventurous. Try serving them the “gourmet” and “strange” foods from Epicurious and they’d rather eat a frozen pizza.
Unless we have vegetarians joining us (none this year), meat is always served, either a whole bird or a brisket. 2016 is a turkey year since I had 2 left in my freezer from the Thanksgiving sales. In addition to the substantial main dish, lighter sides are a good balance.
Dinner
Desserts
First night:
Midway through the holiday:
Keeping it simple is the goal, just good food, nothing elaborate, and hopefully, no cooking disasters/complaints!
What’s on your Hanukkah menu?
This post was sponsored by Bulletproof Coffee. All opinions are my own.
Coffee is a breakfast staple for most folks. Personally, I can barely open my eyes without a cup on a normal day; during the holiday months, I’m even more exhausted than usual! Instead of running myself ragged as I have in years past, I’m trying to slow down and savor the season. I’ve committed to having 30 minutes of morning quiet time to prepare/plan for the day. I do this at the kitchen table, journaling, and drinking my beloved coffee.
While most folks would agree that there’s good coffee and bad coffee, they usually base it strictly on the taste. Some brands are extremely bitter. Did you know that bitterness can be caused by mold? (Scary, I know!) Moldy beans not only taste bad, they also contain mycotoxins which can damage your body. To counteract the bitterness, folks will try to “fix” it by adding large amounts of cream and sugar. No wonder most of us feel tired by noon—we’re accustomed to energy crashes and toxic brews!
Bulletproof Coffee has created a revolutionary product that changes all that. Their 3-ingredient super drink is comprised of high-quality beans, grass-fed ghee (butter), and Brain Octane™ (coconut oil). Coffee with butter and oil?! Sounds crazy, right? Guess what, not only does it work, it actually tastes good, too.
Using a French Press is the easiest way to make it. 8 ounces of filtered water with 2 1/2 tbsp. ground coffee is the perfect ratio. Add in 1 Tsp. of Brain Octane™ and 1 tbsp. of ghee. Mix it all together in a blender for approximately 30 seconds until it is frothy.
The key to the process is blending. Unlike regular coffee, you can’t just drip and chug, so don’t skip this crucial step. Simply adding the ghee and brain octane to a cup makes it greasy, but if blended, wow, it’s amazing! The taste and texture is similar to a creamy latte. Because of the high fat content, it keeps you feeling full longer and provides a steady stream of energy. Instead of dragging through the day and craving a nap, when I drink Bulletproof Coffee, I actually feel alert, giving me the boost I need to shop, bake, and decorate for the holidays.
Want to see if Bulletproof Coffee is for you? Starter Kits are a perfect way to test it out.