Rosh Hashanah Menu

By Richard Dupont

Rosh Hashanah is an event replete in symbolic significance. The customs, rituals and traditions all bear paramount symbolic significance. So is the food. Every food taken on Rosh Hashanah has its own message to convey. Thus this is not an occasion where just any food would fit in. Certain foods like honey, apple, fish and pomegranate are to be taken on this auspicious occasion. Hence menu for Rosh Hashanah has to be planned carefully keeping in mind the food items to be used.

Here are a few recipes to try on Rosh Hashanah –

Apple and Honey Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 c. sugar
  
• 2 c. sliced apples
  
• 1/2 c. honey
  
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
  
• 3 eggs
  
• 2 c. flour
  
• 3/4 c. oil
  
• 1/2 tsp. salt
  
• 3/4 c. chopped walnuts
  
• 1 tsp. baking powder
  
  

Directions

Beat sugar, honey and eggs. Add dry ingredients. Add oil and vanilla, then apples and nuts. Bake in a greased pan for 40 minutes at 350°. Cut into squares.

Gefilte Fish

Ingredients

• 1 loaf frozen fish
  
• 1 onion - peeled and cut in quarters
  
• 2 carrots peeled and cut in 1 inch cubes
  
• 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
  
• salt to taste
  
• pepper to taste
  

Directions

Put the fish in a large pot of cold water and add the other ingredients. Bring to a boil and continue boiling gently on a medium fire for 1 1/2 hours. Let the fish cool in the water for about 15 minutes. Remove the fish carefully and place in a container along with the carrots. Refrigerate for a few hours. Serve sliced on individual plates garnished with slices of carrots.

Roasted Honey Chicken

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup honey
  
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  
• 1 1/2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
  
• 1 tbsp. coarse mustard
  
• 2 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce
  
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" pieces
  
• 2 tbsp. snipped fresh parsley
  

Directions

Heat oven to 375ºF. Combine honey, juice, mustards, and soy sauce. Stir in chicken. Let stand 10 minutes. Meanwhile, line a jelly roll pan with foil. Remove chicken from marinade and place in pan. Roast until chicken is browned and cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley.

Bread and Honey pudding

Ingredients

• 5 cups torn bread
  
• 1/2 cup raisins
  
• 1/3 cup butter; in small piece
  
• 4 cups light cream
  
• 5 eggs, lightly beaten
  
• 1/2 cup honey
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
  
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  
• 1/3 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  

Directions
Combine bread, raisins, and butter in a 12"x8" cake pan. Whisk together milk, eggs, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour over bread mixture and set to rest for 1 hour. Bake in a 325°F oven until it just begins to puff up, about 65 minutes.