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Ring In the Jewish New Year With Honey Cake

YumSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:00:05 -0700

I'm always reminded of the change in the seasons with the arrival of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which begins at sundown this Friday. It seems to straddle the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall. For Jews around the world, it's a time to come together with family, contemplate the past year, and hope for good deeds in the months ahead.Rosh Hashanah's food customs echo these sentiments. One ingredient that plays a recurring role is honey, which symbolizes sweetness for the new year. As a child, I remember counting on apples and honey, but honeyed cake is an equally traditional and more gratifying end to a meal. It's not too sweet, has a gingerbread quality, and would be the perfect finish (or start) to the day, whether or not you're observing the holiday. See the recipe when you read more

Celebrate Rosh Hashanah With Honey-Glazed Cornish Hens

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:00:33 -0700

L'Shanah Tovah (Happy New Year)! Last night was the beginning of the Rosh Hashanah. During this time of reflection and rejoicing, much of the celebration happens at the dinner table. The evening meal often includes the bounty of the autumn harvest, such as pomegranates, persimmons, and avocados. Honey is also significant during Rosh Hashanah, as it symbolizes the hope for sweet and joyful days in the year ahead. To ring in the Jewish new year, which is observed through Wednesday night, I made honey-glazed Cornish hens. Since Cornish hens are smaller, they can be roasted whole in less time than it takes to make a roasted chicken. To get this holiday recipe, read more.

Honey and Cumin-Glazed Cornish Hens
From Jewish Holiday Feasts by Louise Fiszer and Jeannette Ferrary

Ingredients

Glaze
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons cumin seed, toasted and crushed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 Cornish hens, split in half
Salt and pepper

Directions

Combine glaze ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Rinse hens and blot dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Using about a third of the glaze, brush both sides of hen halves.
Place, skin side down, on a baking sheet with low sides. Place in oven and roast 10 minutes.
Turn heat down to 375°F, brush hens again with half the remaining glaze and roast 5 minutes.
Turn hens over and roast 10 minutes.
Brush with remaining glaze and roast until deep golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Serves 8.

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The Symbolism Behind Rosh Hashanah Food

YumSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 09:01:18 -0700

The Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah begins tonight at sundown. Although it is a time for introspection and soul-searching, it is also a happy day. Once the holiday prayer service is completed, a kiddush is said and a festive meal is eaten. Many foods are symbolic, such as apples dipped into honey which represent a sweet new year. The folks at About.com rounded up the symbolic meaning for other Rosh Hashanah food:

Round Challah
The round shape symbolizes a perfect year to come. Sometimes raisins or honey are added to make it extra sweet.

Apples and Honey
Dip the apples in honey to symbolize a sweet year to come.

Head of Fish or Gefilte ("filled") Fish
Fish is an ancient symbol of fertility and abundance. The head of fish symbolizes the head of the New Year. The head also symbolizes hope that the Jewish people will lead other nations through their righteous acts.

Head of Lamb, Sweet Chicken or Meat Dish
Head of lamb symbolizes our hope that the Jewish people will lead other nations through their righteousness. The sweet entree symbolizes our wish for a sweet year.

Tzimmes
Tzimmes is an eastern European recipe for honey baked carrots. The Yiddish word "meren" means carrots and to increase. Carrots symbolize our hope that we increase our good deeds in the coming year. Some tzimmes recipes add prunes, sweet potatoes or even meat to the sweet carrots.

Spinach
Spinach symbolizes a green year with plenty of produce.

To learn about more symbolic Rosh Hashanah food, read more

Rice
Rice symbolizes abundance.

Honey Cake or Teiglach (crunchy dough boiled in honey)
"This day is holy to God, your God; do not mourn and do not weep...for the joy of God is your strength." (Nechemiah 8:9-10). It is said that the Prophet Nechemiah introduced to the ancient Israelites the Persian custom of eating sweet foods to celebrate the New Year.

Source: About Judaism
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Photo Gallery: Honey Cake

YumSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:47:13 -0700

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Do You Know What's Cooking This Week?

YumSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:00:18 -0700

As we savor each remaining day of warm, sunny weather, we're reminded of how we've entered that short yet sweet season that comes between Summer and Fall. From Rosh Hashanah honey cake to bacon-wrapped dates and portobello sloppy joes, our recipes reflected that sentiment. Did you stick around to see what was going on this week? Take our telltale quiz.

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Do You Know What's Cooking This Week?

YumSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:30:58 -0700

Now that it's October, we're all over the Fall produce. We celebrated the harvest in multiple ways, from holiday celebrations like Rosh Hashanah and Oktoberfest to whipping up comforting meals like pasta with butternut squash.

Did you take notice? Take our quiz to see if how well you were paying attention!

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All the News That's Fit to Eat - Sept. 24, 2008

YumSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:30:07 -0700

With a new book and an LA restaurant, José Andrés is continuing the Spanish culinary revolution he brought to America. - Los Angeles Times
Meet Michael Suas, consultant to the best breadbakers. - San Francisco Chronicle
France is still the region with the best wine values. - New York Times
Rosh Hashanah calls for both old traditions and new favorites. - Boston Globe
One mother's campaign to change her kids' unhealthy eating habits. - Washington Post
Roux 101: A primer on the adaptable white base. - Chicago Tribune
Oenophiles protest state wine shipping laws. - Wall Street Journal
Making cinnamon buns from scratch is worth the trouble. - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
The top 10 towns with the best craft beer and college football. - St. Petersburg Times

Source

What's Yummy This Week - YumSugar Weekly Recap

YumSugar — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 12:03:18 -0700

The Emmys are tomorrow night, find out what the stars are eating afterwards.
Happy Jewish New Year! Now you can learn all about the symbolism behind Rosh Hashanah food.
FabSugar helped us scope out the backstage treats at Alice + Olivia, and tipped us off to the trendy Pop Burgers everyone's noshing on.
Rachael Ray is looking for the next celebrity chef.
Speaking of celebrity chefs, Anthony Bourdain was a guest judge on a surprising new episode of Top Chef.
And while we're on the topic of Top Chef, check out our quick chat with season two winner Ilan Hall.

If fried dough sounds too sinful, give baked doughnuts a try instead.
This week I opted for old school flavored nilla wafers and banana ice cream sandwiches.
Party went off to Spain and ended up planning an impromptu concert. Take her tips and you can do it too!
If a foreign adventure is not in your future, how about making room for a chocolate one.
Love a great steak? How about one that's been made into a wig?
Test your knowledge on milkshakes and apples!
I love corn chowder! Here's a beginner and an expert way to make it.
And finally, I'm not crying, I'm just making a lasagna... for one.

All The News That's Fit To Eat - September 12, 2007

YumSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:57:31 -0700

What makes a naturally gifted cook? Several home cooks let you in on their secrets. Plus, SF institution A. Sabella's is closing, and on the other side of town, Whole Foods opens a new "lifestyle" store. - San Francisco Chronicle

Once a niche product for wine connoisseurs, Riedel wine glasses have found their way to Target stores. - Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune
Just because a restaurant is wheelchair accessible, doesn't mean it's wheelchair hospitable. - New York Times
Move over lettuce, seaweed is the new "it" salad veg. - Chicago Tribune
In a post-Google world, it's almost impossible to be anonymous. Restaurant critics can't stay unidentifiable, so they're turning the tables and blowing their own covers. - Los Angeles Times
The Washington area is blooming with independent bakeries all vying for your nose, tastebuds and dollars. - Washington Post

It's not a new idea, but I always love it when grilled cheese grows up. - Houston Chronicle
Looking for more Rosh Hashanah ideas? This pastry chef shares her recipes and memories. - Miami Herald
And finally to end the news on a sweet (but tart) note, here are six elegant and easy lemony desserts. - Dallas News