Shabbat Menu sidebar

After the conclusion of the Three Weeks and the fast day commemorating the destruction of the Temple on Tisha B’Av, our thoughts turn from sadness to consolation and joy.  This is the time when the summer Jewish wedding season resumes and romance is most definitely in the air.  All the more so this Friday, which is the holiday of Tu B’Av, a day mentioned in the Talmud when unmarried girls would dance among the vineyards outside Jerusalem.  In modern times it is a day popular for weddings, proposals and dates.  We’re going to prolong the passion this Shabbat evening with a romantic menu that everyone will love.

Romaine Pecan Salad

Chicken Wellington

Roasted Beets With Orange Sauce

Vanilla Heart-Shaped Meringues filled with Cranberries

For last year’s shabbat menu for Shabbat Nachamu, Parsha VaEtchanan

This week’s parsha brings us to the beginning of the final book of the Torah.  It is a long farewell by Moses to the Jewish people as the Children of Israel prepare to enter the Holy Land without him.  Lest the people forget their history, Moses reminds the Jewish people who have been wandering for nearly 40 years of where they came from and where they are going.  For us, we celebrate this Shabbat with a meal to fill us with the strength and energy to handle whatever comes next – whether conquering a new land or a new week of challenges and triumphs (and a fast).

*Note: most of these recipes are wonderful grilled, but would work very nicely in the broiler if you don’t have a grill.

Beef Cigars

Israeli Inspired Leafy Green Salad

Tahini

Zaatar Chicken

Hasselback Potatoes with Balsamic Mayonnaise Dipping Sauce

Broccoli with Carmelized Onions and Pine nuts

German Plum Cake

Click here for last year’s Shabbat Menu for Devarim.

The double portion of Mattot-Massei includes a detailed overview of where the Children of Israel have been since the Exodus from Egypt.  Now, standing just outside the Land of Canaan at the gates of the Promised Land the Jewish people are nearly ready to realize their national destiny in the land that was originally pledged to Abraham so many years ago.  The poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote: “Life is a journey, not a destination.” But don’t arrive empty handed.  One of my favorite treats to bring over for dessert is Biscotti.  This  week we’ve got a fabulous Shabbat menu, but make sure you leave room for these Almond Cherry Biscotti.

Start with two kinds of Bruschetta:

Fresh Strawberry Bruschetta

and

Olive Tuna Bruschetta

Tuna and Olive Bruschetta

Grilled Chicken Tenders with Cilantro Pesto

Roasted Rosemary Red-Skinned Idaho® Potatoes

Roasted Asparagus with Pine Nuts

Almond Cherry Biscotti

For more ideas check out last year’s Shabbat Menu for Matot and Shabbat Menu for Massei