Kosher Thanksgiving Recipe Tweaks for Jewish Hanukkah Holiday

Hanukkah always begins on 25 Kislev in the Jewish lunisolar calendar. Ergo it's a "movable feast" on the western calendar. This year it starts early, on Nov. 27, the day before Thanksgiving.

Metro Detroit has a large Hebrew population. AP shares ways local Jews are approaching the Thanksgiving-Chanukah overlap. Hillel Day School in Farmington has special activities. Detroit bakeries are making Challurky. Yep, you guessed it: turkey shaped challah.

We aren't Jewish, but our son is dating an Ashkenazi girl. We believe it's part of our Catholic duty to understand and respect all faiths. So we're exploring ways to blend national holidays, Catholic holy days and Jewish traditions. Example: Thanksgiving. I won't make it completely kosher, but here are tweaks. Many fit Muslim halal requirements, too.   Kosher Thanksgiving Recipes for Hanukkah Holiday

Diet-Friendly, Vegetarian Rice Recipes for Lent, Halal, Kosher

 As a Catholic mom, I fast during lent and on Fridays by serving and eating meatless meals. I'm also dieting and have had success eating vegetarian. Rice is a great non-meat food source, but gets a bad rap for being high in starch and calories. Here are rice recipes that give you the most nutritional bang with the lowest caloric intake. I've written these recipes to meet other religious dietary restricitions. Recipes of Asia gives a guide. Islamic halal, non-kitniyot Jewish kosher. Kitniyot foods, like rice, are sometimes restricted by Jews, particularly Ashkenazi, during Pesach or passover. To observe kitniyot, quinoa could be substituted for rice. AISH says this is okay. These recipes follow eastern Ahimsa practices (except for the recipe with tuna). They can be made vegan by using soy for dairy or fish or by omitting. For all recipes, use brown or white jasmine rice (white has fewer calories). Diet-Friendly, Vegetarian Rice Recipes 

Five Foods That Showcase Metro Detroit's Diversity

The "D" in Detroit stands for diversity. Detroit arguably offers the most quirky, fun ethnic mix of any city in the U.S. Of course, I'm a little biased, being from Michigan. But for all the flak Detroit gets for high crime rate, its important to balance the negativity by bragging up the perks. The city boasts regional pocket communities from around the globe. And where best to experience this cultural eclecticism but in food? Here's a collection of local dishes enjoyed in different burbs in this gloriously varied city. From city chicken in Rochester, Mich., to salmon eggs and grits at downtown soul food eateries, from middle Eastern baba ghanouj to Jewish gefilte fish, Detroit has it all! read on

"Jerusalem: A Cookbook" Celebrates Diversity, Shares Passions

I love to cook, and it particular to experiment with different ethnic foods. I like to recreate the dishes we sample from different cuisines. I try to tie in not just the ingredients and cooking styles themselves, but the entire milieu in which they developed. Here's a great cookbook for exploring the varied cultures in Jerusalem, written by men from two sides of the city: Jewish and Muslim. This book would make a great Christmas or Hanukkah gift.   "Jerusalem: A Cookbook" Review

Apples and Honey Recipes for Jewish Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, begins the Days of Awe which end with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Special foods are eaten and fasting is practiced on some days of this most holy season. Apples and honey are two symbols of Rosh Hashanah and eaten on that day. In honor of Rosh Hashanah, here are some of my best apple recipes made with delicious Michigan apples. Michigan Apple Harvest: Healthy Goodness (Note: one recipe calls for sausage, chicken sausage, Kosher meat may be substituted. Vegetarian options are given, too). Here are websites with resources to help families involved kids in Rosh Hashanah preparations. Each online resource provides recipes and dietary regulations, too. Non Jews may wish to explore this lovely holiday season and these resources provide good ways to do that. Free Printable Rosh HaShanah Activities 

Jewish Passover, Seder meal activities for families

Passover, or Pesach, is a seven-day Jewish holiday observance. It generally falls in April in the western calendar. In 2012, Passover will be celebrated beginning at sundown Saturday, April 6 and lasting through Friday, April 14. On the Hebrew lunisolar calendar (which is based on both moon phases and solar cycles), Passover is celebrated on Nissan 15-22. Here are resources for Jewish kids and parents to explore and celebrate Passover more fully. These activities can help non-Jewish families understand and experience Hebrew traditions, too. I'm not Jewish, but we've done our own Seder meal. The links provided can help any family recreate a worshipful Seder. It's a great way to teach kids about other cultures, religions and traditions. A Passover Seder is a perfect compliment to religious Easter celebrations. Read more at Jewish Passover lessons and activities for families 

Jewish Kosher and Kashrut Dietary Labels

What is Pareve, Kashrut, Glatt Kosher, Yoshon, Pas Yisroel and Cholov Yisroel? 
Jewish kosher and kashrut laws defined for restaurants and food processing plants.
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