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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Feeling fatigued? Try these low-effort recipes for a fabulous festive feast!
Published 6 months ago • 3 min read
Hello again my friend,
The cooking and eating marathon that is the High Holydays and Succot is coming to an end. This bittersweet time, with just Shabbat, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah to go, will be done before we know it. Then it's back into the old routine as the nights start to draw in.
Feeling the fatigue...
I must admit, by this point in the chagim, I'm running out of energy and inspiration. So in this week's email I've gathered together some of my easiest, tastiest, most bang-for-your-buck recipes. These deliver maximum flavour and pizazz, for minimum effort. So you can continue to serve up amazing Shabbat and YomTov dishes, but without breaking yourself in the process!
Quick wins
There are also lots of ways to make your Shabbat and YomTov meals a bit more special, that don't involve lots of time in the kitchen. With a bit of luck, you can even get a child or other 'helper' to do some of them for you! For instance:
Set your table with flowers, candles and/or fancy napkins to create a special atmosphere. You'll be amazed at what a ribbon-tied napkin can achieve!
Elevate your challah by offering low-effort additions such as dipping oils, flavoured butter or other tasty readymade spreads.
Create a fancy 'pre-dessert' course by serving sorbet in small dishes, or little glasses of your favourite cocktail (or mocktail).
If you're serving after-dinner chocolates, tip them out of the box(es) and pile them on a plate. They'll instantly seem more special! Add a few medjool dates or quartered fresh figs for even more wow factor.
Don't eat that etrog!
If you're already wondering what to do with your etrog once the festival is over, here's my annual plea that you NOT eat it, and do something non-edible instead. Etrogim sold for ritual purposes are classed as 'ornamental botanicals' by law, and are not covered by the stricter rules on pesticide residue that apply to food. Many of them will have been heavily sprayed with agricultural chemicals, which can accumulate in the rind - the part most often used in recipes.
Here are a few of my favourite recipes that take minimal effort but deliver big results. Plus, these are all warming, comforting dishes that are perfect for serving in a chilly succah!
Thick onion soup with grains and melty cheese Think soup can't be a meal? Think again! This robust bowl is filled with tasty and nutritious grains, deeply flavoured onions, and topped with gooey toasted cheese.
Wild mushroom baked risotto No stirring required to make this oozy, creamy and comforting mushroom risotto. Dinnertime perfection!
Parsnip, cheese and pasta bake Let the humble parsnip shine in this unctuous pasta bake with gooey cheese and a wonderful flavour from those tasty veg.
Smoked salmon dauphinoise Sumptuous layers of meltingly soft potato and luscious smoked salmon, baked in cream. Simply assemble, pop it in the oven, eat and enjoy.
Baked barley risotto with butternut squash This hearty Autumnal dinner is made with gorgeous grains and chunks of delicious squash. Minimal prep, then the oven does all the hard work for you.
Hasselback stuffed aubergine Sliced and filled with tomato, pesto and mozzarella, these scrumptious stuffed aubergines look a million dollars when you take them from the oven.
10 minute vegan chocolate tart- just three ingredients and a few minutes work, and you have a luxuirious dark chocolate tart that's a spectacular end to any special meal.
Healthier fruit crumble Prefer a hot dessert in a chilly succah? I prepare batches of this crumble topping and freeze, so it's ready to tip over a dish and fruit and pop in to bake at a moment's notice. Don't forget the custard!
Of course there's also the search box and drop down menus at the top of family-friends-food.com to help find exactly what you're looking for!
Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!
Wishing everyone Shabbat Shalom and a lovely YomTov. May these final festive days fortify us for the weeks ahead as we begin the new year in earnest.
As always, wishing you happiness, health, peace, and abundant blessings for us all. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach - a Good Shabbos and a Good YomTov - to one and all.
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!)
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