WSJHS: Cookbook Celebrating Traditions in Northwest Jewish Kitchens

Food is history, culture, connection, community, ritual, nourishment, sustenance, survival, memory. Food tells stories. Cookbooks tell stories. The Washington State Jewish Historical Society is creating a cookbook - Yesterday's Mavens, Today's Foodies: Traditions in Northwest Jewish Kitchens. The cookbook will include recipes, stories and photographs. Through the lens of your kitchen, your grandmother's kitchen, your children's kitchen, we will see a slice of our unique history - a history that illuminates our Sephardic and Ashkenazic traditions and combines them with the pioneer spirit of the Pacific Northwest, its bounty of food products, fresh produce and growing foodie culture.

Currently, all recipes are being tested and tasted and while we would love to publish every recipe that is submitted, we need to limit the book to a reasonable length. However, it is possible that recipes not in the book may be used on the WSJHS website or in a future publication. By submitting a recipe and or a story, you agree to allow the WSJHS to use it for the cookbook and future publications of the WSJHS.

Leading up to the November 6th launch of the cookbook, the Washington State Jewish Historical Society is sponsoring 6 educational food related programs that showcase Northwest cooking and Northwest cooks.

Recipe of the Month: CARAMEL MATZO BRITTLE
Darcy Goodman

Makes 4 to 6 dozen pieces

Why wait for Passover? This is great anytime and the good news is that you can store them in your freezer and take them out when you are ready to serve.

4 to 6 unsalted pieces of matzo
1 cup butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
¾ cup bittersweet chocolate chips
½ teaspoon vanilla (optional)
1 cup almond slices, toasted (optional)
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped and toasted (optional)

Preheat oven to 375º.

Line a rimmed cookie sheet completely with foil. Place a sheet of parchment paper over that.

Place the matzo in a single layer to cover the entire cookie sheet, cutting extra pieces to fit any empty spaces.

In a 3–quart heavy sauce pan, combine the butter, brown sugar and vanilla, if desired. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until boiling, about 3 to 4 minutes then boil for 3 more minutes. Remove from the heat and pour over prepared matzo, covering it completely.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and immediately lower the temperature to 350º. Bake for 15–20 minutes checking every few minutes to make sure the caramel is not burning. The caramel will start to bubble.

Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle with the bittersweet chips. Let it stand for 5 minutes for the chocolate to melt, then spread it evenly over the caramel layer. Sprinkle with almonds or pecans. Cool for 15 minutes then freeze the brittle while still in the pan. When frozen, break into squares or odd shapes. Place in a freezer bag and put the bag in the freezer until ready to use.

Dine Around the Town

We’d like to invite you to host a dinner. It could be in your home, on a boat, at a picnic spot. The dinners are designed to be fun and social, to spread the word about the work of the WSJHS and to support that work.

Here’s the way it works.
You develop an idea or theme and invite a few friends. The hosts provide the food and ask the guests to make a donation to support the work of the Washington State Jewish Historical Society. You’ll have fun creating an idea and entertaining your own friends. One host has invited a guest speaker, one of Seattle’s new young chefs, Another host is replicating an incredible meal from one of Seattle’s classic restaurants. There’s no end to the ideas.

If you would like to host a food event, please call Carol Starin for details and ideas. Carol can be reached at: 206–325–1631 or costarin@me.com. Dates for the parties: anytime between now and Rosh Hashanah.

These dinners and the food and cooking programs will begin the countdown to the November 6th launch of the fabulous new cookbook. Through the lens of our kitchens, our grandmothers’ kitchens, and our children’s kitchens, we will see a slice of our unique history – a history that illuminates our Sephardic and Ashkenazic traditions and combines them with the pioneer spirit of the Pacific Northwest, its bounty of food products, fresh produce and growing foodie culture.

Host a dinner! Attend a cooking class! Yesterday’s Mavens: Today’s Foodies is the perfect Hanukkah gift for you, your friends and family.