Rebbetzin, cook thyself!

On the job front, a few interesting prospects have popped up. I'm giving a few presentations at an upcoming session of the Asian Productivity Organization. (Market research and agribusiness, it's like old home week for me!) A possibility for more are in the offering, so it's a good feeling.

But of course, it can't be all research and knowledge management for the Rebbetzin. Oh no. Not only is there another cooking class for the Japanese Jewish wives approaching, I was also just asked to provide a "little something" for the Rabbi's conversion class. Is there no escape from the kitchen? Evidently not.



The Rabbi wanted his class to experience Havdalah, something they probably wouldn't see much of otherwise. And it was a chance to show of the lovely Havdalah Set we got for our wedding. How could I refuse?

Well, I could refuse because I was up to my ears in research and my other p/t work. AND making "a little something" of "traditional Jewish food" (a challenge in Japan already) that would sit through Shabbos (No oven use Fri night through Sat.) was a challenge. Oh, and did I mention there were 15 people invited? What, does the Rabbi think, a good kosher nosh grows on trees?

To be fair, he offered to cook instead, but visions of 15 bowls of milk, instant coffee and crumbled cookies flashed through my mind. Not a way to win their hearts. Or their stomachs.

So, I said I'd take care of it. Every day he asked what I was making, to not go overboard, to be frugal, but still make something nice and traditional that was good. You know, I really don't get to use my rolling pin very often (what with pie crust issues), but it was looking pretty good to smack upside the yeshiva bocher's noggin.

But naturally, the true Rebbetzin grace and decorum shown through and I pulled a nice hat trick:

One the left is matzo apple kugel (like strudel but...not). On the right is tsimmes kugel. Japanese sweet potatoes are a bit different but it came out nice. A good way to show off tsimmes while making it into easy to eat squares.

Both of these were mega-sweet items, so I thought I'd tamper that down with some smoked salmon and cream cheese canapes. I will say this is the first time I've eaten cream cheese since arriving in Japan (and yes, it was Philadelphia brand). It took all my willpower not to scarf these babies down before the crowd arrived. Even running 8K this morning did little to allay the effects of nibbling on these.

All the food went fast (Japanese people can EAT!) and it was a very lovely Havdalah all around.

But now it's back to the real job stuff before these "duties" take over once again. And coming up with a Purim costume! Oy!