Hi, I'm Helen. I share easy, nutritious, seasonal, flexitarian recipes, often with a British-Jewish twist. Expect a weekly dose of delicious dinner ideas, news and positivity!
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Healthier Rosh Hashanah Recipes - for a nutritious, delicious start to the year!
Published 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hello there my friend!
Rosh Hashanah is just a week and a half away, so it's time to get serious! Now is the time to finalise your menu plans, write your Shana Tova cards, and start to get those make-ahead-and-freeze items ready and ticked off the list.
I love to make traditional foods for YomTov, and the simanim - the symbolic foods of Rosh Hashanah - are a terrific place to start. Rather than having a simanim 'seder' where you get a single bite of each food, I use these tasty, largely plant-based foods as ingredients and inspiration for the whole menu. Using these fresh vegetables, fruits, beans and seeds also helps to ensure a nutrient-dense, healthy and delicious meal.
I've written a Guide to the Simanim, which also includes a free printable card featuring the traditional prayers and wishes to accompany each food. The guide also lists some of my family's favourite recipes using these auspicious and delicious ingredients.
Whatever you choose to cook, I wish you Shana Tova - a wonderful year ahead!
Delicious YomTov recipes
This time of year is definitely the beginning of 'soup season' so to celebrate I've shared a recipe for a gorgeous red lentil soup that's perfect for Rosh Hashanah or any other time. It's delicious, nutritious, and wonderful with a chunk of challah to dunk!
Below you'll find more of my favourite recipes for this time of year:
Honey-roasted root vegetables with apple Naturally sweet vegetables, for a sweet new year! Enhance your roasted veg with slices of apple and a drizzle of honey for a rich and delicious side dish.
Leek and potato kugel A twist on tradition, this tasty kugel is a flavoursome and filling side dish.
Cumin-roasted beetroots and chickpeas These beautiful roasted beets, flavoured with zesty orange and earthy cumin, make a lovely vegan main dish or a side for everyone to share.
Grilled peach, pecan and feta salad Enjoy the succulent end-of-summer stone fruit in this gorgeous, nutrient-packed and scrumptious salad.
Spiced date cookies Baked to a family recipe, these date-studded cookies are crumbly-soft and absolutely delectable.
Devon apple cake with honey crumble topping Packed with luscious apple pieces and topped with a honey-sweetened crumble, this lovely cake is great as a dessert or a teatime treat.
Vegan apple and pomegranate jellies Gorgeous, ruby-coloured, silky fruit jelly with no added sugar is an easy and make-ahead lighter dessert, using symbolic RH ingredients!
PLUS, don't forget that you can still snag a copy of my ebook Entertaining Guests with Special Diets for the bargain price of £10 by using code JUSTATENNER at checkout. It's a great resource that makes it easy to plan menus, cook, and host diners with diverse needs.
Shabbat Shalom
Amidst the planning, cooking, and Rosh Hashanah prep, I hope this weekend gives you some time to take a break, exhale, and enjoy the world around you.
May this Shabbat bring peace, health, happiness and blessings. Wishing a Shabbat Shalom - a Good Shabbos! - to everyone.
All my cooking, recipe-writing, photography, research - even this newsletter! - is fuelled by TEA! So every cuppa you provide is very much appreciated! 🙏
If you've ever searched your inbox to find a recipe link, recommendation etc, you can now find the Family-Friends-Food newsletter archive here. (It currently goes back to November 2024 but more will be added soon!)
Family, friends and food are three of life’s most important things. Let’s celebrate them!
Hi, I'm Helen. I share easy, nutritious, seasonal, flexitarian recipes, often with a British-Jewish twist. Expect a weekly dose of delicious dinner ideas, news and positivity!
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