Top of The List

Hi everyone! Today is the first post in the series “Top of The List”! What will be talking about in these posts?!

I had the idea to start writing this series when I noticed so many people asking for ideas on what to make for the weekend(-shabbat meals). Friends wanted inspiration and everyone is searching for new recipes and new ideas. What with this being the holiday season and everything centering on FOOD FOOD FOOD, what better time to start?!

This week, I’ll be sharing my weekend menu- some recipes are my tried and true, some are from other bloggers and cooks, and some I am currently developing. I’ll also let you in on the recipe that is trending right now on Soul&Streusel, and some items that are currently in my shopping cart!

Thanks for joining me!

First, Nadav eating his favorite oatmeal cookies..

If you aren’t updated on the latest recipes, be sure to subscribe(up at the top of the blog) to receive email updates on all our new posts!

This weekend we are hosting! A friend who is studying in Jerusalem asked if her and her sister could come for the weekend, and I was happy becauseeeee she has been to us before and she obviously enjoyed if she wants to come back! Yay! Also what a great way to start off the new year hosting and entertaining, enjoying shabbos with friends and new faces- as we aren’t hosting any of the big main holiday meals ourselves.

Before I get to the menu, if you don’t know what shabbat is, all this food might seem a little crazy. Basically, we spend Friday night- to saturday night “resting”, and we don’t cook! We don’t turn on the fire, the gas, the micro, or even boil water. It’s crazy hectic getting everything ready before but once the sun sets everyone gathers around the table, and we can relax and enjoy! (I still have to serve though LOL). I like to menu-plan and look around for ideas starting on Wednesday, shop Thursday, and start cooking things like dessert and dips Thursday night, so I can focus on mains on Friday. That doesn’t always happen and sometimes I end up doing EVERYTHING on Friday, but on a good week(yes we do this every week!) thats the sched.

1.This is what my current menu looks like:

Friday Night Meal(6 people)

–Homemade Water Challah(recipe HERE)

-Dips:

+roasted Buttery Leeks with tomato, olive oil, and lemon peel(recipe HERE)

+sauteed mushroom and rosemary(i’m writing this up)

+candied jalapeños(recipe HERE)

+chummus, my fav store bought is Chummus Abu Ghosh with masabacha on top ahhhh yum!

+olive dip- tell me if you want this recipe!

-Spicy Moroccan Fish( we make this every single shabbos its a no fail and so delish, recipe HERE)

on to the next course…

–Honey Garlic Chicken Katsu(recipe HERE) this is everyones favorite, including myself, so I make it ALL the time.

-White rice for Katsu

-Jamie Gellers Potato Kugel(recipe HERE)<<<

for dessert…

-Fudge stuffed chocolate chip Cookie Bars(recipe in the making yum!)

Saturday Kiddish– this is like a super light brunch before the actual meal that we like to do on Shabbat. We have a lovey view of the Elah Valley, where David fought Goliath, and we set up a little table outside when the weather permits.

–Dinas Salmon Gravlax(recipe HERE)

-assorted crackers

-cheesecake or other cake. this turtle topped cheesecake by Rivky Kleiman was a favorite! (recipe HERE).

+last week I made Naomi Elbingers Honey Lotus bundt cake(recipe HERE) and it was great!

-coffee served of course!

Saturday, Shabbat Lunch(4 people)

–Challah & Dips

-Bok Choy Salad with Chow Mien Noodles(coming soon!)

-Emas nish nosh salad- layers of purple cabbage, shredded lettuce, and cherry tomatoes with garlic dressing and nishnushim.

-deli roll

for dessert…

–Chocolate Mousse Pie with Cookie Crumble by Rorie in this weeks Mishpacha Family Table Magazine!

SO thats the menu! What are you making??

On to the next: What recipe is currently trending?!

2. The most popular post of the moment isssss…….. Half Hour Honey Olive Oil Challah! You guys went crazy over this! So many people made it and shared their experiences and I loved seeing all the pictures! You can see the post (HERE).

Some pictures of your half hour challahs that I loved: