Reflections

On September 22, 2015 By thestampsinmypassportIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Many years ago I was sitting in Shule with my parents and my grandmother waiting for Kol Nidre to begin. My Gramma was sitting beside me with her arm over my shoulder and I was playing with the bracelet she always wore. It was one of those things that you may have done with your Grandmother, playing with their jewelry. To make a long story short, she took the bracelet off and gave it to me. She wanted to see me wearing it and happy while she could. I cherish this bracelet and I always wear it on Kol Nidre night.

We went to a new Shule this year, and for the first time had a new prayer book. Right before the Amidah (silent prayer) there is a passage that I wanted to share with you all as we are about to begin Yom Kippur.

Reflections

When we really begin a new year it is decided,
And when we actually repent it is determined.

Who shall be truly alive and who shall merely exist;

Who shall be happy and who shall be miserable.

Who shall attain fulfillment in his days
And who shall not attain fulfillment in his days;

Who shall be tormented by the fire of ambition
And who shall be overcome by the waters of failure;

Who shall be pierced by the sharp sword of envy
and who shall be torn by the wild beast of resentment;

Who shall hunger for companionship
And who shall thirst for approval;

Who shall be shattered by the earthquake of social change
And who shall be plagued by the pressure of conformity;

Who shall be strangled by insecurity
And who shall be stoned into submission;

Who shall be content with his lot
And who shall wander in search of satisfaction;

Who shall be serene and who shall be distraught;

Who shall be at ease and who shall be afflicted with anxiety;

Who shall be poor in his own eyes
And who shall be rich in tranquility;

Who shall be brought low with futility
And who shall be exalted through achievement.

But repentance, prayer and good deeds
have the power to change the character of our lives.

Let us resolve to repent, pray and to do good deeds
so that we may truly begin a new year.

G’mar Chatima Tova – wishing you an easy fast.

May we be inscribed in the book of life.

Amen.

Tangy sweet and sour meatballs

On September 13, 2015 By thestampsinmypassportIn Uncategorized1 Comment

I am going to start off by saying, I did not create this recipe. I would never take credit for something that wasn’t my own. This recipe comes from the wonderful (although no longer in print) book by Norene Gilletz. This book, to quote a new cookbook from earlier this year (Bathurst Street Kitchen) stated, “No young bride from 1968 on, left home without this cookbook”. Well, I wasn’t a young bride, but I did leave home, with this cookbook under my arm.

Everyone has a story about how their book. The pages are oiled stained, or butter stained, or just plain falling apart. But the booked is so beloved, it will be cherished forever. As I said, it is no longer going to be reprinted so copies will be harder to come by. A friend of mine saw my post on Facebook and has ordered me a new copy.

Out of the many many go to recipes in this book, the tangy sweet and sour meatballs are one of ‘expected’ contributions to all of our holiday tables. The recipe is so simple and easy and in my opinion, no fail. Other than salt, pepper and garlic, has a total 5 ingredients.

For those who don’t own this book, here is the recipe (as requested by a few Facebook friends)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb. Minced meat (can be beef, chicken, veal, turkey)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 egg
2 tbsp. matzo meal
1 1/2 cup Ketchup
2 cups Ginger Ale

Method:
Combine the first six ingredients and form into small balls.
Combine ketchup and ginger ale in a large sauce pan and bring to a boil.
Drop meatballs into sauce, cover and simmer for 2 hours.

Sidenote: the book says that the recipe yields 6 servings as an appetizer and 4 servings as a main course. I am not sure how big/small the actual meatballs they are comparing when putting the yield in the book. I make small to medium size portions. They are amazing over white rice, so if I was making them as a meal, I would make them larger.

They freeze well and I can promise you that you will not be able to stay away from snacking on a few as you put them in the containers once cooled. Make them once and you will make them again.

Bon appetite!

Gramma Milli’s Moon Cookies

On September 8, 2015 By thestampsinmypassportIn Uncategorized1 Comment

The holidays evoke many different emotions for different people. I can understand why as I go through different feelings about different memories I have had over the years. I will always remember coming home from Shule and going to my Gramma’s apartment for our holiday meal. We always had a large lunch meal. It just seemed to make sense since we were all there together after services.

It never disappointed. I don’t know how she did it in her small little apartment kitchen, but she did. She always made my favourite pineapple chicken, and this amazing carrot tsimis with yummy potato dumplings. Some things we never got ‘quite right’. I do remember being at my mother’s house once and my Gramma was showing us how to use the pressure cooker. The three of us were standing at the stove. It was almost an out of body experience three generations learning how to continue tradition.

One tradition that was special WAY before my grandparents moved to Toronto was her moon cookies (poppy seed). They were always in a special glass canister and you were only given them sparingly. Sounds funny now, but they really are a treat. They aren’t “just a cookie”, they are a process, and once they are completed, you realize why she cherished them as much as we did.

She didn’t give them out as gifts either. I once caught my aunt at a family party filling a styrofoam cup up and putting it her purse. I don’t think I will ever forget that image.

My cousin commented on my post on FB last night that she remembered being at my Gramma’s apartment in Montreal and pressing the cookies down with the glass. She actually had a special glass. I think it is still at my parent’s house. I will have to look for it when I am there next.

Many requested the recipe so I will share it with you.

Gramma Milli’s Moon Cookies
Ingredients:
2 eggs
¼ cup Crisco
¼ cup Oil
½ cup Sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
Juice from a large orange
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp poppy seeds

Method:
Mix all ingredients together to make a sticky dough
Refridgerate for several hours (or overnight)
Grease cookie sheets
Make very small balls with the dough (leave enough room to press down, but the cookies do not really spread while baking)
In two bowls place oil and sugar – you will need a small glass to dip and press
Dip in oil, then in sugar and press dough ball down. Repeat with each cookie
Bake at 350 until golden brown (the recipe says 15 minutes but that is too long, the cookies are very thing and brown easily)