A force for constructive communal consciousness
Alyce Baker
As I sit at my desk composing my Yom Tov column, it is 30 degrees and we are enjoying the full intensity of a summer that was late getting started. The furthest thing from my mind is cooking for the upcoming holidays. Yet I’m staring at an August 28 deadline for the Rosh Hashanah issue of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin.
So, as I try to guide my brain to think about fall, food and family, what comes to my mind is
“Keep it simple, stupid!” [Read more…]
Alyce Baker
Shavuot is the holiday that celebrates the Israelites receiving the Ten Commandments. The Bible tells that the Israelites, on returning to their tents after receiving the Commandments, had no time to slaughter cattle or kosher their utensils on Shabbat, so they ate dairy.
Today, many people are trying to reduce their intake of meat for health reasons. My eight-year-old granddaughter came home from camp and declared she was now a vegetarian. [Read more…]
Alyce Baker
Passover is a difficult holiday. Lots of shopping plus lots of preparation plus lots of courses equals lots of work!
So anything you can do to make things ahead of time will relieve stress. [Read more…]
Alyce Baker
In the Bible, the story is told of how Queen Esther, along with Mordechai, foiled Haman’s plan to kill all the Persian Jews.
On Purim, let’s celebrate all women. Maybe the men in the household can prepare this meal! [Read more…]
Alyce Baker
No, I’m not skydiving or entering politics. Rather, I’m throwing out all the old standby Chanukah recipes. I notice that my children have been encouraging my grandkids to try new things – a wonderful way to introduce the younger generation to a more sophisticated palate.
In the past few months, I have served most of these dishes to positive reviews. So, hopefully, your audience will react in the same way and give you a standing ovation!
Happy Chanukah! [Read more…]
Alyce Baker
Originally grown in Iran, India and Southeast Asia, the pomegranate symbolizes prosperity and fertility. This vibrant red fruit is important to many cultures. Jews associate the 613 seeds within the fruit with the 613 mitzvot or commandments in the Torah.
On Rosh Hashanah, we wish for “fruitfulness” in the coming year. Literally translated as a seeded-apple, the pomegranate makes its appearance in the fall. High in antioxidants and vitamin C, it is promoted as having anti-cancer properties and that it may reduce arthritis and be helpful to the heart. [Read more…]
Alyce Baker
It’s the second seder and you’ve already sat through one night of matzo ball soup, brisket, meatballs, kugel, etc.
My initial intent was to base this column on an inter-generational seder theme. You know, something old, something new … But, really, why mess with what’s tried and true? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! [Read more…]
Alyce Baker
Everyone understands the symbolism of using oil in cooking for Chanukah; that the small amount of oil remaining in the Temple was only supposed to last one day, but miraculously burned for eight days.
A recent trend in baking has been to replace butter, shortening and other fats with olive oil.
Produced by pressing whole olives, this product is used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. One tablespoon of olive oil has 119 calories, 13.5 grams of fat – only two grams of saturated fat – and also has large doses of vitamins E and K. In an attempt to curb our intake of fat, olive oil is an easy substitute.
The lemon yogurt cake recipe is also perfect for diabetics as the sugar can be replaced with a substitute: Stevia Baking Blend. [Read more…]
Alyce Baker
Taste is often associated with emotion and thus food can express pleasure or displeasure depending on your taste buds. Taste buds contain the receptors for taste. Four known tastes are sweet, sour, bitter and salty.
A fifth taste has also been discovered: savoury (foods rich in protein). Discovered by a Japanese researcher, this taste has been labelled umami. [Read more…]
Alyce Baker
I’m sure that if I were to take a poll, I’d find that eight of 10 homes will be serving the ubiquitous “brisket meal” at their seder. [Read more…]