This week is the Jewish New Year, so I am taking a few days off to celebrate and spend time with my family. This means that we eat a little differently, host, and are hosted by friends for meals. It also means that my son’s daycare is closed and I’m on full time mom duty while preparing a dinner party for a crowd.
The holiday season has always been a favorite, and it was one of the places where I learned to cook. My mom and grandma would host most holidays together, and they’d putter around the kitchen with their homemade aprons making elaborate meals for our friends and family. While I won’t be with my family this year, I will be channeling this energy into these five recipes.
01 of 05
Simply Recipes / Sara Haas
Get Recipe: My Mom’s Secret Ingredient for the Best Chicken and Noodles
Remember that matzo ball soup I made last week? That’s being repurposed into chicken noodle and matzo ball soup for dinner. Soup is a staple holiday food, and my family loves the combination of noodles and matzo balls. I’ll be adding a few more veggies to this, like parsnips and spinach, for a true one-bowl-meal. I won’t be with my family to celebrate, but this dish feels like a big hug from mom.
02 of 05
Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss
Get Recipe: This 2-Ingredient Salmon Is My All-Time Favorite
Recipe developer Jessica Furniss says, “One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s ready in under 20 minutes. After brushing the salmon fillets with Greek dressing, marinate them in the fridge for five minutes. While the fish marinates, lightly oil a baking sheet and preheat it in the oven. Then, add the fish (skin-side down) to the oiled, hot baking sheet and bake for 12 to 13 minutes.” So easy!
03 of 05
Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne
Get Recipe: The Easy Mediterranean-Inspired Vegetables I’ve Been Making for Years
One of my favorite party tricks is that I can build an entire menu that can be prepped in advance and served at room temperature. While you might not find that overly impressive, it means that I can actually enjoy company without hiding away in the kitchen. Grilled vegetables are a staple in my hosting rotation, especially when they can sit in a zippy marinade. I love that people can pick and choose which veggies they take, and I can use up that eggplant I had high hopes for. The best part? They are great for lunches the next day, piling it onto grain bowls or salad greens.
04 of 05
Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
Get Recipe: Chicken and Apples in Honey Mustard Sauce
It’s traditional to eat apples and honey during Jewish new year, and I like to add both ingredients to as many meals as possible, like this chicken dish. We’re hosting some neighbors for a potluck dinner, so I’ll make this as our main along with a big green salad with a honey lemon vinaigrette and an apple cake for dessert.
05 of 05
Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne
Get Recipe: The 15-Minute Dinner I Make Again and Again
Recipe developer Robin Asbell says, “Over the years, I’ve come up with a fast, one-pan skillet dinner that works with just about any vegetable. It’s ready in 15 minutes, and it’s my go-to on those days when a light meal on the patio is exactly right.” I love one-dish meals and Mediterranean flavors, so this will be perfect for a busy weeknight.
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