I tend to stay away from vegetable soups that get all their flavor from added boxed broths or consomme. Instead, I like to find ways to develop rich flavors on my own. In this butternut squash soup, I chose to roast the butternut squash and apples to caramelize them and bring out their sweetness, so that the soup has layers of delicious flavor.

If you read the title of this blog post fully, you’ll notice that there’s farro in this soup. While totally optional, I highly recommend you add it in. Farro is a delicious grain with a slightly chewy texture. When added to soup, it turns it from a simple vegetable soup to a thick, filling bowl of comfort food.

If you like to garnish your soups, reserve the seeds from the butternut squash when you peel and cube it. Rinse and dry the seeds well. Drizzle a little olive oil, maple syrup, salt and pepper over the seeds and roast them at 375 for about 8 minutes- watch them well so that they don’t burn!

For a printable version of this butternut squash soup recipe, scroll to the end of this post.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Farro

What you need to make this Butternut Squash Soup Recipe:

• 1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed
• 2 apples, peeled and sliced
• 3 TBSP olive oil
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 TBSP canola or vegetable oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 onions, peeled and diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 cube frozen ginger
• 1/8 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup farro, rinsed
• 10 cups water

How to make this Butternut Squash Soup Recipe:

1, Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, Scatter cubed butternut squash and apples on prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for approximately 40 minutes, or until squash and apples start to brown and caramelize.

2. While squash is roasting, prepare vegetables to saute. Heat canola oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and saute for 5-10 minutes, until translucent. Add minced garlic and ginger and saute an additional 2 minutes. Add carrots and saute until softened. Season generously with kosher salt and ground black pepper.

3. Pour in white wine and deglaze the bottom of the pot.

4. Add roasted squash and apples and any released juices to pot. Add farro, then water. Mix well. Bring to a boil. Cover, lower heat to simmer, and allow to cook for 30 minutes.

5. Using an immersion blender, blend soup to desired consistency. (We like it slightly chunky.) Taste and add salt if needed. Serve hot and enjoy!

What’s your go-to soup on a cold, wintry day?

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With two picky kids in the house, it can be hard to come up with things that actually have nutrition that they like. I was surprised to see how much my boys like this quinoa tabbouleh salad recipe – I literally can’t eat it without them attacking me for spoonfuls! It’s also been a hit with guests.

Tabbouleh is a dish that is typically made with bulgur, or even couscous. When my sister (who has Celiac) was coming for Shabbos, I wanted an easy cold dish that she can eat so I decided to try a quinoa tabbouleh. I googled a few recipes, mashed them up, and after making it a dozen times, I settled on the exact quinoa tabbouleh salad recipe below.

Tabbouleh is typically made of mostly parsley and mint, with some bulgur and veggies thrown in. To satisfy my Ashkenazi palette, I made a version that is mostly quinoa, heavily dressed, with plenty of parsley, and sweet grape tomatoes. Even my husband eats it (and he’s not into lemony, herby dishes!)

Another thing that bothered me about tabboulehs that I’ve tried before at restaurants was that sometimes it’s made basically as an Israeli salad with a bit of Bulgur tossed in. I wanted mine to be really heavy on the parsley – so that you get a good crunch, with plenty of quinoa for protein.

Anyway, I have to be honest: I photographed this quinoa tabbouleh salad recipe before I finished refining the recipe – the way I make it has more parsley than pictured. You’ll anyway probably want to adapt. When I made it for my parents for Sukkot, I put in less parsley proportionately

Also, oddly enough, I found that my proportions came out best when I made 1.5 cups of quinoa. So I know that’s a bit odd – and keep in mind that it’s not a scientific recipe that you can’t modify to your needs. I am not  a foodie – I am a creative who likes to streamline food and I do sometimes get creative with my food.

Originally, when I made this quinoa tabbouleh salad recipe I put in cucumbers. Then, I started making it to sit in my fridge and be available for lunches. I found that the cucumbers spoiled too quickly. Then I discovered that my family likes it better without cucumbers anyway.

I use grape tomatoes because they’re sweeter and less seedy than typical cutting tomatoes, and they are absolutely delicious in a tabbouleh.

I also use only parsley – no mint, scallions, or whatever you might find in other recipes. The reason is: like I mentioned, I’m not a foodie – I’m a shortcut cook. And so I don’t use enough fresh herbs to buy a few different types. If I have leftover parsley, I’ll toss it into a soup or something, but I’m not going to use parsley and mint and scallion.

So I’m sharing a very whittled down, realistic quinoa tabbouleh salad recipe that I hope you’ll also enjoy making. If you’d like to add more of the traditional ingredients, play around with it, figure out what works for you and your family!

I used to cut my parsley by removing the leaves and slicing them on a cutting board. I recently discovered these herb scissors and they are a lifesaver – and so much fun to use! Since I make this salad every week, it’s worth having a time-saver around for it.

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Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe:

What you need to make this quinoa tabbouleh salad recipe:

• 1.5 cups quinoa, cooked in 3 cups salted water
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1.5 cups loosely packed fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
• Optional: 2 frozen garlic cubes
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half

How to make this quinoa tabbouleh salad recipe:

1. Cook your quinoa – I do this in the oven to make it easier. Preheat oven to 350. Mix quinoa, water, and about 1/2 t salt in a baking pan, cover tight, and bake until all water is absorbed (approximately an hour).
2. While the quinoa is still hot, add in your garlic cubes if you’re using them, so that they can melt. Transfer to a salad bowl.
3. I find that the parsley spreads better when I first mix it together with the olive oil  and lemon juice. Mix those three ingredients together, add to your quinoa.
4. Slice your grape tomatoes in half and add to the salad. Toss. Serve chilled.

I hope this quinoa tabbouleh salad recipe becomes a new favorite of yours too!

Have you ever made quinoa tabbouleh? How does your family like it? Comment below!

The post Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

Scroll down to the end of this page for the printable version of this recipe. 

I love salads- any and all kinds- but I don’t love using green lettuce all the time. I like to find alternative bases, so this red cabbage salad is really up my alley.

The bright color, tangy taste and satisfying crunch from the sliced almonds makes this the perfect salad to round out any kind of meal.

I like to serve this salad on Shabbos, during the week, and I even made it for the pre-fast meal before Tisha B’Av.

(You’ll notice in some of the close up pictures that I used sunflower seeds in place of almonds. That is what I had on hand at the time, but I normally use almonds, and prefer that flavor and texture. However, sunflower seeds work great if you’re dealing with nut allergies.)

Ingredients needed for Tangy Marinated Sesame Cabbage Salad

Salad

16 oz red cabbage, shredded

1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced

1/3 cup sliced almonds

handful sesame seeds

Dressing

1/8 cup olive oil

1/8 cup toasted sesame oil

1/8 cup white vinegar*

1/8 cup rice vinegar*

1/8 cup sugar

kosher salt, to taste

coarse black pepper, to taste

* If you like your salad very tangy, use the full amount of both vinegars. If you want the flavors, but not the too much of the tanginess, reduce each vinegar measurement by half.

How to make Tangy Marinated Sesame Cabbage Salad

1. Combine cabbage, scallions and almonds in large bowl.

2. In a separate, small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients. Whisk well until smooth.

3. Pour desired amount of dressing over salad. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

4. Marinate at least one hour in the fridge. Let it marinate for a few hours for maximum flavor. Salad will stay good in the fridge for up to one day but will lose some of the crunch.

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 Scroll through for the printable recipe card at the end and enjoy the best cholent recipe ever!

I always hated cholent. I didn’t know what people saw in it. I preferred other Shabbat lunch ideas that were lighter and easier to digest.

As I grew and my taste matured I started to kind of like it. But I never really loved it until I started making my own, and slowly developed the best cholent recipe ever.

I started with my sister’s basic recipe, with my mother-in-law’s cooking method, and my a few of my mom’s tricks (whole potatoes, anyone?)

I slowly tweaked it over the years, always cooking it in a pot fully, then leaving it to slowly cook overnight on a hot plate, set on a timer to go off for 15 minutes every hour. (You can see my comparison of the top Shabbat hot plate options here)

Some of the best recipes are developed this way – a blend of assorted family traditions – just like my best potato kugel recipe.

Then, recently, I faced a pot shortage and realized I needed a new “power pot” for weeks when I have lots of company. I decided to try something new and due to some suggestions I got on Facebook purchased an inexpensive 6 quart dutch oven. I found mine for really cheap in Burlington Coat Factory, but there are other great options online if you can’t find it there.

A dutch oven was the final touch that the best cholent recipe ever needed to be perfect.

Why should the best cholent recipe ever be made in a dutch oven?

There are a few reasons why I love using the dutch oven but before I share them I want to make it clear that you CAN use this cholent recipe NOT in a dutch oven too. The cooking process is focused on using a dutch oven but it can easily be adapted for use in a crock pot or regular pot. I made it for years in a typical Farberware stainless steel pot and it was delicious. But here’s why I switched to the Dutch oven:

• The texture – oh, you simply cannot beat the perfect texture of a dutch oven cholent. If you’ve struggled with not drying out your cholent, but not having it too watery, the dutch oven will help you get that best cholent recipe ever. You’ll have barley that’s done to perfection, moist but not mushy. You’ll have creamy potatoes. You’ll have juicy, flavorful meat. And sometimes you’ll even get a slightly caramelized crispy crunch at the top that everyone will fight over. This is because of the way the lid locks in moisture.
• Oven to table – yep, you heard right! I bring the pot right to the  table, place it on a rustic wooden trivet and have a homely look. I’d never bring a pot to the table, but when you have a Le Creuset-style enameled cast iron dutch oven, it has that homely rustic feel and looks great on the table – I even do this for guests! It keeps the cholent hotter for longer, and saves you from having to wash doubles of the most pain-in-the-neck dishes.
• IT DOESN’T STICK!! – Yep, you heard right. I was SO frustrated with spending hours peeling cholent of the bottom of a pot after every Shabbos. With the Dutch oven, you do have a bottom layer that’s maybe a bit overdone, but it just comes right off!
• Looks great on the counter too – Do you ever get frustrated with how after cleaning your whole house so that it’s spotless for Shabbos, you’ve still got a pot sitting on the counter all day? The cast iron enameled dutch oven that I use looks amazing on the counter – like it belongs. This is the least of my reasons for making the best cholent recipe ever in a dutch oven, but still a nice perk.

Which dutch oven should you use to make the best cholent recipe ever?

I can’t honestly tell you which dutch oven works and which doesn’t because I’ve only ever tried one. I use an off-brand one that I found in-store at Burlington Coat Factory. The finish got a bit ruined, but it still works totally fine, so if you’re looking to save, I’d recommend just going for cheap – it’s worth it.

The Le Creuset one is the “main brand” – and the top rated. I don’t know if the quality is that much better and worth splurging on, because I haven’t tried it. It also costs MANY times the price of a cheaper option. If you’d like to weigh in on this in the comment section, feel free!

Lodge makes a great budget-friendly option as does Amazon Basics.

I’m assuming that non-enameled dutch ovens would work too, as long as they have that heavy, tight seal as well. I haven’t tried it, so I can’t share how well the non-stick feature works.

How to make the best cholent recipe ever in a dutch oven:

First of all, if you’ve made cholent before you’ll understand that cholent is very individual. There isn’t much of a scientific formula to the actual components (onion, potato, etc) – it’s about what your family likes. So I’ll share with you what I do, but adjust accordingly.

STEP 1: Heat some olive oil in a pan. Add a whole onion, turning it every minute or so so that a new part is browning. When it begins to brown, add your meat, and sear it. We use the cheapest meat that’s not a steak – so whatever’s on sale.

I use a two-pronged fork to hold it on its side so that it’s browned all around. Turn off your flame once your meat has been browned.

TIP: After my first time using my dutch oven to make the best cholent recipe ever, I started browning the meat and onions in a separate pot or pan. I try to use something I’ll be using for another recipe anyway, since I’m usually on a cooking spree when I’m prepping for Shabbos. I felt like frying in the dutch oven ruined the finish – I don’t know if this is usually the case – it could be just because mine was a cheap one.

STEP 2:  Peel 5 medium sized yellow waxy potatoes (such as Green Giant Klondike Goldust or Yukon Gold) and cut in half  or leave them whole. Cutting them too small will cause them to melt into your cholent. Using this type of potato gives you the creamiest, most delicious result.

STEP 3: Cover your potatoes with water.

STEP 4: Turn your flame back on and season your cholent! Add a generous amount of paprika (a layer covering your water), a few shakes of pepper, about 1-2 T of Iodized salt (depending how big your cholent is) and plenty of onion and garlic powder. You can experiment with other seasonings too, depending on the flavor you’d like. Lately, I put chili powder in mine.

I never actually measure the salt but this is what I put into a smaller cholent.

Add ketchup (optional) – about 1/2 cup and honey – about 1/4 cup. The honey helps the top caramelize a bit. If you have a baby less than a year old who eats cholent, you can substitute the honey with duck sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook about half an hour or until your potatoes begin to soften but aren’t falling apart.

STEP 5: Add your barley. No, I don’t put in beans; I simply don’t like them. Add those at your own risk… I have added lentils in the past, but I’ve been skipping that lately. I usually put in 1/2-3/4 of a 1lb bag. Cover your barley with water plus an inch, and let it simmer uncovered until the barley is cooked (about half an hour). Watch it to make sure you have enough water since the barley tends to absorb a ton of it, and quickly!

When your barley is cooked, make sure you have a thin layer of water covering your food (check it again right before Shabbos, since sometimes the barley absorbs more after you shut the flame).

Set it on your Shabbat hot plate to cook overnight. It’ll already be delicious after a few hours if you like to dig in early. We set our hot plate with a timer so that it’s not on continuously (we turn it off for 15 minutes every hour – not an exact formula, again, but short enough that the cholent stays hot enough to be cooking continuously even when it’s off).

I hope you enjoy the best cholent recipe ever! Comment below: what do you put in your cholent recipe?

Want another fantastic Shabbat afternoon dish? Try my crock pot mushroom barley soup – perfect for that frigid winter day! And if you’re in need of something gluten free or Passover friendly, try my gluten free cholent!

The post Best Cholent Recipe Ever – Jewish Overnight Stew in a Dutch Oven appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

Even before I knew that Baby Y is allergic, I was already looking for a change from the same old sesame noodles. I needed a cold pasta alternative that will be a crowd-pleaser, easy to bring to family events, and not too complicated.

I ended up throwing some ingredients together with some friends’ suggestions that kind of mimic a caprese salad (tomatoes, herbs, mozzarella) but not in its true form. It’s quick and easy. It’s usually extremely popular. And best of all: it’s allergy-friendly!

I also put in black olives because M loves those, but they’re totally optional – be sure to leave that out if you’re working with a crowd who prefer a milder dish (I made that mistake at our family Chanukah party…) It adds a LOT to the salad but it doesn’t need it.

Instead of soft mozzarella balls I chunked up some cheese sticks. A friend of mine taught me this trick for when I want larger pieces of mozzarella without having to dissect a huge hunk… and without having to tear awkward slices, or putting in shredded cheese that disappears right in.

I serve it in this bowl.

It’s not as yummy, but much easier to find and more affordable if you’re cooking for a crowd, especially considering Kosher concerns. I did it the lazy way with Italian seasoning instead of fresh basil – you can pick your level of involvement!

Grape tomatoes cut in half keep it flavorful and sweet, while being easy to eat. I’ll bet it would taste great if you replaced it with sun dried tomatoes too! If you have babies eating it, quarter your grape tomatoes and olives, and cut your cheese stick chunks in quarters the long way too.

For the pasta I really like Ditalini but elbows work great too, as would any small pasta.

This pasta caprese salad is also very kid-friendly (leave out the olives if your kids don’t like it!!) and perfect for kids who will ONLY eat white pasta (like mine) and who end up without the veggies.

Ingredients for the Pasta Caprese Salad Recipe:

1 lb Ditalini pasta

1 6 oz can black olives

1 dry pint grape tomatoes

8-9 cheese sticks or string cheese

Dressing:

2 T olive oil

1 T red wine vinegar

1 T Italian seasoning or dry basil (or replace with fresh)

Garlic powder

Onion powder

How to make Pasta Caprese Salad:

1. Cook your pasta in salted water till al dente, drain, and rinse, and allow it to drain well. Add it to a large salad bowl.
2. Cut olives and grape tomatoes in half the long way and add it to your salad. Cut the cheese sticks into chunks. Add it to your room temperature or colder pasta. Make sure not to add it to the pasta while it’s hot – you DON’T want it to melt. You want to bite into nice chunks of cheese!
3. Mix together your dressing ingredients and add it to your salad. If you’re using fresh basil, add that right before you serve it so it doesn’t wilt.
4. Serves approximately eight. Doubles easily for a crowd. Serve chilled.

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What is your favorite pasta salad recipe? Comment below!

Print the recipe:

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