Looking for some Kosher cooks

Holiday feasting, Jewish style

Rosh Hashanah is Sept. 30 and Oct. 1
Yom Kippur is Thursday, Oct. 9


To inspire you, try one of these great recipes by Susie Fishbein, author of Kosher by Design and Kosher by Design and Entertaining; she that makes cooking fun and easy for everyone. Try Susie’s Falafel Crusted Chicken; it is sure to be a family favorite:

Falafel Crusted Chicken
Serves: 6
Ingredients:

1 1/2 (6.4 ounce) boxes falafel mix
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded very thin
all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 plum tomatoes
1 cucumber, peeled
Prepared hummus

In a large bowl, prepare the 3 bags of falafel mix according to the package directions. Add in 3-4 tablespoons of water to make the batter a spreadable consistency. Set the batter aside.

Coat each chicken breast with flour, shaking off the excess. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Dip one side of each chicken breast into the prepared falafel mix. Pat it on to form a crust. Add to the hot oil, falafel side down, allowing the crust to form before flipping to cook on the other side, about 4-5 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, cut the tomatoes and cucumbers into medium dices.

Serve the falafel chicken with the diced tomatoes and cucumbers, and a dollop of hummus.

Sarah Lasry, professional chef, Manischewitz resident recipe expert and author of the acclaimed cookbook, The Dairy Gourmet, recommends her delicious, savory crepes.

Over-stuffed Spanich Rice, Meat & Mushroom Crepe


For the Crepe Batter:
4 eggs
1 cup water
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch of salt
cooking spray

Preparation:
Wrap crepes around the completed filling.

For Filling:
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup diced onions
1/2 teaspoon of cumin
1 1/2 - 2 pounds ground beef or turkey
2 cups button mushrooms, diced
1 can Kosher tomato sauce
1 box Spanish Rice Pilaf, cooked
Kosher salt to taste

Food lovers nationwide are invited to enter the 3rd Annual Manischewitz Cook-Off Competition:

Entries must be received by Dec. 31. Enter your recipe online or mail to the address below. The website also provides simple kosher guidelines.

Top submissions will be selected by a judging panel including chefs, food writers, and executives. Those recipes will be prepared under the direction of a professional chef and tested by the panel.

Six finalists will be selected to compete live in the New York City finals in February 2009 and one Grand Prize Winner will be selected at the final cook-off event. A panel of food experts will judge the recipes on site based on the following criteria: taste, 50%; ease of preparation, 20%; appearance, 15%; and originality, 15%.

The six finalists will be selected to compete for the Grand Prize in New York City in February 2009. All finalists will win a $2,000 (ARV) prize package including a trip to New York City to compete for the grand prize. The Grand Prize winner receives a $25,000 (ARV) prize package including: state-of-the-art GE Profile Kitchen appliances, a $5,000 check from Manischewitz; inclusion in a future Manischewitz or web cookbook; Manischewitz product and more!

With Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur around the corner this competition encourages everyone to submit their favorite kosher recipe, especially since great Jewish food and kosher dishes are among the ethnic cuisines on the rise. Almost any favorite dish you, a friend or family member enjoys can be adapted to meet kosher guidelines and standards!