My quintessential Shabbat dinner: Black olives and dill pickle spears delicately piled on a cut glass dish, salad including red peppers cut in two particular ways (each of my cousins would only eat them cut one way and each had a different way), roasted chicken drumsticks, and roasted potatoes.
This was Shabbat at my grandma’s house. I loved Shabbat dinner at my grandma’s house. I scheduled trips to Minneapolis around being at my grandma’s house for Shabbat dinner.
At home in Michigan, it was usually just me and my parents around the table and the Shabbat dinner menu was less predictable. Sometimes it was roast chicken but more often it was whatever dish my mom wanted to make that week.
Now, at my house here in Minneapolis, Shabbat dinner is whatever mom wants to make. Except now I’m the mom. (It’s still weird sometimes). If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what to make for dinner and Shabbat dinner in particular, then this is the series for you. Here’s what’s for Shabbat dinner.
Menu: Israeli Salad with Chickpeas, Cut Vegetable Platter, Feta Cheese, Honey-Smoked Salmon, Challah
Israeli Salad with Chickpeas
Israeli Salad with Chickpeas (Serves 4-6)
- 1 cup diced English cucumber
- 2 cups diced tomato or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup cooked or canned, drained chickpeas
- 1 small lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toss ingredients together in a 1.5 quart or larger bowl. Let rest for 15-30 minutes and toss again before serving. Making it ahead? Fridge it but take it out at least 15 minutes before serving.
I served feta on the side because not everyone in my family thinks they like feta, though they all end up eating it. Alternatives – fresh mozzarella, baked or fresh tofu, flaked or chunked parmesan.
Cut Vegetable Platter
I’ve found that if I have a big platter of vegetables out, they get eaten. Especially by people who need a 15-minute warm-up before they’re willing to try whatever salad I’ve made. This is a great time to incorporate a new or less familiar veggie.
honey smoked salmon
Honey Smoked Salmon
It’s kosher, I bought it at Costco (St. Louis Park, MN), and my kids liked it. Not every week requires an elaborate protein.
That’s all for this week! Stay tuned, maybe we’ll break out the toum next week.
