Hello my friend!

One more week and it's Erev Shavuot! Crikey, that's snuck up on me...

On the plus side, Shavuot always heralds the start of Summer for me, which can only be a good thing. Hello al fresco meals, sunny afternoons in the garden, strolls in the open air, and the general positive vibes of warm weather, long evenings and all the rest. Bring it on!

Our Shavuot will be a fairly low-key, family-oriented affair this year, as my daughter is in the middle of GCSEs, so keeping things calm and relaxing is essential. No doubt I'll be cooking some of her favourite things, just to help her get through this challenging few weeks.

If, unlike us, you'll be hosting guests this Shavuot, you'll probably want to browse this collection of 40+ make-ahead recipes for easy Shavuot entertaining. And of course if any of your visitors have dietary restrictions, Entertaining Guests with Special Diets will help keep things simple and stress-free.

A non-dairy dairy festival?

Think Shavuot, and you probably think cheese. The festival is strongly associated with dairy foods, like cheese blintzes, strudel, cheesecake etc. And delicious as they are, if you have dairy allergies or just prefer to avoid it, Shavuot can be a bit of a struggle.

But fear not! I've got you covered 🤩
My guide to Vegan Shavuot Recipes is packed with traditional Shavuot recipes from around the world that are naturally dairy-free! It includes special breads, symbolic ingredients, and recipes for all sorts of dishes including mains, sides and desserts.

I've also included a helpful guide to ingredients that can be substituted into your favourite recipes to replace dairy ingredients. Most recipes can be tweaked to be non-dairy with a little thought and/or experimentation. So no need to miss out on your favourites!

Of course you can find ALL of my Shavuot recipes, including vegan, vegetarian and fish options, here. ​

Healthier Shavuot cooking

I always think that Shavuot lends itself to lighter, healthier dishes - fresh salads, vegetable-packed quiches, tasty fish dishes and flavourful fruity desserts.

Below you'll find some of my favourite 'healthier' Shavuot recipes. Delicious dishes packed with nutrient-dense ingredients, perfect for a festive Summertime feast!

Deliciously Healthy Shavuot Recipes

YomTov food is always a bit indulgent - isn't that the point?! But that doesn't mean it can't be good for you too! Here are some of my favourite fresh and fabulous recipes, made with nutritious whole foods, so they're as nourishing as they are delicious!

• ​Courgette, feta and mint pashtida​
  A delicious savoury bake that's somewhere between a quiche and a kugel, this tasty dish is both healthy and satisfying.
• ​Summer pea and bean salad​
  One of my favourite summer salads, combining sweet peas, crunchy radishes, and fragrant dill in a zesty, citrussy dressing.
• ​Tabouleh salad with freekeh​
  Freekeh is an ancient grain with a special Shavuot connection, as it's mentioned in the Book of Ruth. Enjoy it in this fresh and delicious salad, loaded with parsley, tomato, lemon and olive oil.
• ​Vegan cashew 'cheese' spread
  Simple to make, and fabulous on crackers or toast. You can also roll it into balls to add savoury flavour-bombs to a leafy green salad.
• ​Italian tuna and white bean salad in lettuce cups​
  This protein packed tuna and bean salad is served in crisp lettuce cups for a simple, nutritious and flavourful dish. Perfect for a light, wholesome main or a gorgeous starter.
• ​Spring vegetable and white fish tray bake​
  Filled with vibrant flavours and colours, this delicious tray bake is big on taste, light on prep and clean up!
• ​Vegan panna cotta with roasted rhubarb​
  A luxurious plant-based dessert topped with delicious seasonal rhubarb. You can also swap the topping for fresh berries, sliced mango, or fresh peaches or apricots - they're all good!
• ​Baked gooseberry and elderflower custards​
  ​Elderflower gives these dainty desserts the taste of summer, while the sweet-tart gooseberries bring layers of flavour plus a big boost of antioxidants!
• ​Strawberry cheesecake flan​
  Fluffy vanilla sponge with a creamy no-bake cheesecake filling, topped with ripe and delicious berries. Fresh, summery, and a good source of protein and vitamins A and C!

More delicious Shavuot recipes and ideas this way ->

Shabbat recipe of the week!

I hope you enjoyed the Challah panzanella salad last week. A sweet recipe this week - crunchy and delicious seed and nut brittle.​

Made with a mixture of seeds, nuts, coconut, and a hint of spice, and sweetened with honey, it's one of my favourite healthier sweet treats. I like to keep it in the freezer for extra crunchiness!

It's great with ice-cream, fruit salad, or just as a tasty bite with tea or coffee. Enjoy!

Shabbat Shalom

A quiet weekend of relaxation and a little light exam revision for us, then it's into the Shavuot prep in earnest! Never a dull moment!

I hope your weekend and the week ahead are filled with only the best things. May we all feel refreshed, energised, and ready for anything after an uplifting and rejeuvenating Shabbat!

Wishing you Shabbat Shalom - a Good Shabbos - that brings peace, happiness, joy, health and blessings to us all.

With love, Helen x.

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