Today marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah and in Jewish households around the world, the kitchen is full of the aroma of the traditional dishes that mark the two-day celebration. I have always wondered about these traditional dishes and today I had the opportunity to participate in the preparations and sample some of the delicacies. I can state that gefilte fish is absolutely delicious and not at all what I expected it to be. The inclusion of apples and honey at the meals came in the form of a huge dish of caramelised apples, beautifully prepared in cored rings - a feast for the eyes - and topped with a light and buttery crumble.
The meat was the biggest prime rib I have ever seen - the browning was a mission in a large pan but the aroma of the spices as it was turned again and again filled the kitchen with the promise of a veritable feast tonight! The challah bread appeared magically from a bowl of perfectly risen dough, punched down and swirled and baked to a golden fragrant loaf while we picked fresh vegetables and flowers in the garden. A wonderful morning learning new things.
The afternoon was spent relaxing back at home with visitors who dropped in and joined our evening meal (a braai - what else in this weather for those not celebrating the Jewish New Year), followed by some gentle gardening and a little quietude on the deck as the sun descended into the sea.
Yes, a perfect day.
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