As Rosh Hashanah and the beginning of a new year approaches in the Jewish faith, we thought we would offer you a couple of easy recipes to try that include some of the symbolic fruits often eaten at this time – the pomegranate, apples and honey. The pomegranate is regarded as the symbol of righteousness because it is said to have 613 seeds representing the 613 Mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah. The pomegranate also represents fruitfulness because of its many seeds, as well as knowledge, wisdom and learning. The apples and honey are harbingers of a good, sweet and holy year. Shanah Tovah and a sweet New Year to you! Refreshing and simple to prepare, they are great dishes no matter what your faith.
Recipe: Pomegranate Guacamole
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe avocados
- 1/2 large onion, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 fresh chilies, serranos, seeded
- 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves
- 1 freshly squeezed lime
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate juice
- 3 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
Directions
1 Finely chop the onion, garlic, chilies serranos, and coriander leaves.
2 Place in bowl and add lime juice and salt, set aside.
3 Peel and pit the avocados and place in a bowl. Mash with fork slowly adding the tablespoon of pomegranate juice.
4 Add onion and garlic mixture and fold together to make a course pulp. Gently fold in pomegranate seeds.
Serves 6
Source: Recipe and image thanks to www.joyofkosher.com
Recipe: Apples and Honey Tart - an elegant yet easy finish to a Rosh Hashanah meal
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry (1/2 of a 17 oz box)
- 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, halved, cored and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
- 3 tablespoons Sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- cinnamon for sprinkling
- 2 tablespoons Honey
Directions
1 Place frozen puff pastry on the counter and let thaw until it is soft enough to unfold without it cracking, approximately 40 minutes.
2 Unfold pastry and cut in half. Preheat oven to 415 degrees. Place the two puff pastry rectangles onto a baking pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray or lined with parchment paper.
3 Place apples, sugar, lemon juice and salt in a large bowl. Stir to combine. Allow to sit for a few minutes, until the juices start to come out of the apples.
4 Arrange apple slices on the pastry rectangles in a straight line, overlapping as you go. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until pastry is puffed and golden brown.
5 Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with honey, using 1 tablespoon for each tart. Transfer to a serving tray and serve warm or at room temperature.
Serves 6-8
Source: Recipe and image thanks to www.joyofkosher.com
At Ananya, like the meaning behind the symbolism of the pomegranate, honey and apple, we too are constantly learning and increasing our knowledge and appreciation of other cultures. Whilst the pomegranate and honey were valued symbolically in ancient times, they are very much relevant in today’s world for their health promoting benefits. And an apple a day, as we have been told, keeps the doctor away! Giving new life to ancient traditions and making them appealing, meaningful and contemporary, is at the heart of Ananya’s vision. Our lovely Rosh Hashanah greeting cards capture the essence of this ancient tradition and bring it into today’s world.
Have you bought your Rosh Hashanah cards yet?