Main Course Recipes
The Nine Days Menu: 4 Dairy Recipes That Actually Fill You Up
Throughout the Nine Days, many refrain from meat and poultry as a sign of mourning for the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash. These four recipes are simple, generous, and built for a real family meal
During the Nine Days, many observe mourning customs in memory of the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash. One of the most common practices during this period is refraining from meat and poultry — which means looking for meals that are flavourful, satisfying, and well suited to these days. Here are four simple recipes that never disappoint:
Creamy Baked Pasta with Mushrooms and Cheese
Ingredients
1 package pasta
250 g fresh mushrooms, sliced
250 ml cooking cream
150 g yellow cheese, grated
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper
A pinch of ground nutmeg
Preparation
Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
Sauté the mushrooms and garlic in the olive oil until softened.
Add the cream, salt, pepper and nutmeg, and cook for about 5 minutes.
Toss with the pasta, sprinkle the grated cheese on top, and bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes.
Tuna Patties in Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
For the patties:
2 cans tuna, drained
2 eggs
4 tbsp breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper
For the sauce:
1 onion, chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 cups water
1 tsp sweet paprika
Salt and pepper
Preparation
Combine all the patty ingredients and shape into patties.
Sauté the onion, add the remaining sauce ingredients, and bring to a boil.
Lower the patties into the sauce and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes.
Vegetable and Cheese Kugel
Ingredients
2 zucchini, grated
2 carrots, grated
200 g Bulgarian cheese, crumbled
3 eggs
4 tbsp flour, sifted
Salt and pepper
Preparation
Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly.
Transfer to a greased baking pan.
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40–45 minutes, until the kugel is golden and set.
Mujadara with Caramelised Onion
Ingredients
1 cup rice
1 cup brown lentils
2 large onions
3 tbsp olive oil
Salt and black pepper
Preparation
Cook the lentils until partially softened.
Cook the rice separately (remember to check it for insects beforehand).
Slice the onions into strips and fry until golden and caramelised.
Combine the rice, lentils and onions, and season to taste.
Serve these dishes alongside a fresh vegetable salad, good bread, or a light soup, and you have a rich, delicious and satisfying family meal. Bete'avon!
