You guys.
You don’t need me to tell you this, but 2020 / 5780 has been such a challenging year.
Remember back before Pesach, when everyone was like “Oh, it’s so sad to be alone for seder, but by Rosh Hashana, we’ll all be together again.”
Well, honestly, I am Queen of Worst Case Scenarios, so I was like, “Ummmm. Okay, we’ll see.”
But even with my unique gift at worst-case-scenario-izing (which admittedly, some might call a neurosis), I never thought we’d be this bad off half a year later.
I mean, here in Israel, we are preparing to go into our second סגר (lockdown), and everything feels a little bit insane and unstable — to say the least.
Thankfully, even when our lives feel completely upside down, Hashem reminds us that our lives still have a rhythm by bringing us to Rosh Hashana.
And for that, I am truly grateful (even if it’s hard to sit with a feeling of gratitude most hours of the day).
Of course, my blog also has a rhythm, which includes sharing my menu plan with all of you good people.
I don’t do this because I think you need my plan. I do it because it’s a fun and simple way for us to hopefully feel connected — and not so alone, especially this year.
First Night of Rosh Hashana / Erev Shabbat
Like we did last year, we are eating fish — not meat — as our main dish for the first night. (I know, I know!) I just love how everything on the menu is a siman. Do you have my simanim card? Download it HERE.
Apple Stuffed Challah
Round Braided Challah with Sweet Crumb Topping or Demerara Sugar
Pomegranate Spritzers (pomegranate juice + bubbly Moscato wine)
Apples & Honey
Carrot Dill Soup – I sub in some kind of pareve milk (coconut is lovely in this)
Honey-Mustard Salmon
Sauteed Leeks
Butter Squash Kugel (not sure which recipe I’ll use – if you have a favorite, please share!)
Colorful Beet Salad with Quinoa, Edamame & Carrots
Date Balls, Honey Cookies and Chocolate Pomegranate Bundt Cake*
Fish gummies (we eat the heads…. and then the rest of the bodies 😉 )
Yes, I am making three desserts. And fish gummies. But in my defense, I’m not making any other desserts for the rest of chag.
First Day of Rosh Hashana, Shabbat Lunch
Apple Stuffed Challah
Round Braided Challah with Crumb Topping or Demerara Sugar
Sweet & Sour Meatballs (the uber-simple recipe is in my Stress-Free Passover Book)
Rice / Cauliflower Rice
Roasted green beans w/ red onion
Fruit salad
+ Date Balls
+ Honey cookies
Second Day of Rosh Hashana, Dinner: Soup & Salad
Apple Stuffed Challah
Round Braided Challah with Sweet Crumb Topping
New Fruit
Pumpkin Soup with Kale & Sesame Topping (I have made this soup so many times over the years and it’s always delicious!)
Green salad with roasted carrots, beets + other roasted veggies and pomegranate vinaigrette
Second Day of Rosh Hashana, Lunch
Apple Stuffed Challah
Round Braided Challah with Sweet Crumb Topping
Honey Balsamic Grilled Pargiot (Boneless Chicken Thighs)
Whatever else is left-over + maybe a fresh salad
Chocolate Pomegranate Bundt Cake
As far as getting it all done by Friday night, I haven’t done much. Basically, I made the plan, placed my online grocery order (coming Tuesday), and baked a double batch of honey cookies.
This morning, I did sift some more flour (did you know that in Israel you have to sift the flour??) and might start baking challot tonight. (Okay, I probably won’t, but it sounds good.)
Since it’s just the five of us sharing our meals (and davening at home together), I’ve kept everything very simple and frankly, I am really enjoying the less stress. (There’s that gratitude again.)
I would love to hear what’s on your Rosh Hashana menu plan! Please share below in the comments.
And don’t forget to download my Rosh Hashana Simanim Guide!
Shana Tova!
L’shana tovah! Thank you for all you’ve done. I got your website from Money-Saving Mom. While I like her site, I do get tired of the Xtian references so it is nice to link to a Jewish one! I bought some yeast and plan to make round challah so your link is wonderful! <3
Thank you so much! It’s so nice to have you here! I hear you on the references…. it’s one of the reasons I started KOAB 10 years ago!
Yes! love your content, both financial and miscellaneous 🙂 I discovered your site reading over a classmate’s shoulder in a college lecture a few years ago and have been following ever since.
I appreciate the useful deals that you post and your financial advice is always much more relevant given that I know you factor in the same lifestyle and values in your calculations- shabbos and yom tov expenses, tuition etc
Thank you!
Aw, t hank you so much Rivky! You made my night! 🙂
And I love the story about how you ‘discovered’ KOAB! That is so awesome!
You can buy presifted flour in the supermarket in Israel. Yes, it costs more but it saves time. Also, you can sift a bag or two at one time and keep it in the freezer for when you need it.
Yes, I’ve bought the pre-sifted in a pinch, but the KOAB blogger in me has a hard time justifying the added cost on the regular. Our electric sifter died on us, so we recently bought a new one and I love how fast it is!
Chag Sameach, dear Mara. Thanks for sharing your plan. And the one page menu list you sent us is so wonderful and keeps me organized. Wishing you a sweet and healthy year.
Thank you, thank you, Ilana. This beautiful compliment has me grinning from ear to ear!
Good morning, the link for the date balls isn’t working. I’d love to see the recipe if you have it.
Oh shoot. Let me see if I can dig it up!
Okay – I found these and while I haven’t made them before, I have yet to try a recipe from Minimalist Baker that isn’t excellent. https://minimalistbaker.com/5-ingredient-peanut-butter-cup-energy-bites/ (And I do love a good peanut butter cup!)
Hi love your post! Can you tell me which electric sifter did you buy and For how much? Do you know if they make it in110 v ? Thank you in advance!
Do you live in the US? If so, I would think you would be able to find one there. Usually the Israeli-made products (like this one) aren’t 110-220 (vs. the ones made in Europe). Sorry!