Showing posts with label the new shul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the new shul. Show all posts

Saturday, December 4, 2010

do the light thing... celebrating Chanukah with latkes in Washington Square Park NYC

Tis the season to eat latkes,  tra la la la la la la la...




 Join CuisinEtc Catering and Special Events and the New Shul for

"do the Light Thing and Latkes"

a Chanukah celebration in NYC's Greenwich Village

Lighting the menorah, in Washington Square Park

Tonight, December 4th, 2010
in Washington Square Park at 5 p.m.
open to all -

Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and nosh on a latke
while we light the menorah,
sing songs and enjoy the holiday season.


Washington Square Park
- Arch Plaza,
between the fountain
and the arch.








here's the recipe for the delicious latkes we served tonight

thanks to my Facebook Friend and cookbook author Norene Gilletz for sharing this fabuloush recipe.


see other latke recipes by Norene on her website 
here 
We opted to fry the latkes for that extra crispiness and golden color

(although Norene pointed out that they could be broiled for a few minutes for extra color)


PS we did not peel the potatoes after washing them, and found the taste and texture to be perfect.






No-Fry Latkes
Source: Healthy Helpings

Enjoy! If you prefer to fry latkes instead of baking them, don't add oil to the latke mixture as directed below. Use a non-stick skillet and fry latkes in a little oil, about 2 tsp. per batch. Drain on paper towels to absorb oil.

One no-fry latke contains just 1 gram of fat, compared to 2.7 grams for the fried version!

4 tsp. canola or vegetable oil, divided
4 or 5 medium Idaho potatoes (2 lb./1 kg.)
1 medium onion
1 clove garlic, if desired
1 tbsp. fresh dill (or 1 tsp. dried)
1 egg & 2 egg whites (or 2 eggs), lightly beaten
1/4 c. flour (white or whole wheat)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

*1. Place oven racks on the lowest and middle positions in your oven. Preheat oven to 450°F. Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil. Spray each baking sheet lightly with non-stick spray, then brush each baking sheet with 1 tsp. of oil. (This provides a crispy exterior to the latke.)

2. Peel potatoes or scrub them well if you don't want to peel them. (we did not peel) Grate potatoes. (The processor does this quickly.) Transfer them to another bowl. Use the processor to finely mince onion, garlic and dill. Add potatoes, egg, egg whites and remaining 2 tsp. of oil to the processor. Mix using quick on/off turns. Add remaining ingredients and mix briefly. If over-processed, potatoes will be too fine.

3. Drop mixture by rounded spoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Flatten slightly with the back of the spoon to form latkes. Bake uncovered at 450°F for 10 minutes, or until bottoms are nicely browned and crispy. Turn latkes over. Transfer pan from the upper rack to the lower rack and vice versa. Bake about 8 to 10 minutes longer, or until brown. Best when served immediately.

*Note: Alternatively, line the pan with parchment paper, such as Chefs Select. Bake uncovered at 425°F for 12 minutes. Ensure the paper does not extend beyond the baking sheet or touch the walls of the oven.

Yield: 2 dozen medium latkes or 6 dozen minis.

Serve with applesauce, low-fat sour cream or yogurt topped with minced lox and chives. Latkes freeze well.

Nutritional Information:

36 calories per medium latke, 1 g fat (0.1 saturated), 9 mg cholesterol, 1 g protein, 6 g carbohydrate, 92 mg sodium, 143 mg potassium, trace iron, <1 g fiber, 10 mg calcium.

NO-FRY SWEET POTATO LATKES
Prepare latkes as directed above, but use 1 large sweet potato, 2 Idaho potatoes and 2 eggs plus 2 egg whites (or 3 eggs). One latke contains 50 calories, 1.3 g fat and 18 mg cholesterol.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

9-11 Memorial Dinner - @ the New Shul

The New Shul commemorated the 8th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks with a memorial service that included reading of the kaddash (the Jewish memorial prayer for the dead), members speaking about their own personal experiences, singing of prayers as well as a Oneg Shabbat dinner entitled "Shtelt Shabbat" Although a somber day for us all as both New Yorkers and Americans coming together as a community to pray, talk, and eat was a huge comfort - at least it was for me, a non religious jewish New Yorker who finds 9-11 a day that I crave the comfort of community.

And as caterers we have the absolute privilege of
bringing joy and comfort to folks in both happy and sad times
via the food that we cook and serve.

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,,Baked Potato Bar with Down Home Toppings
Shredded Cheddar *** Sour Cream
Caramelized Mushrooms & Sage
Sesame Scented Edamame Beans
with Smoked Tofu
Savory Cheese Tortas
including

...Rondele Torta with Pesto & Sundried Tomato

….Barcelona Gaudi Cheese Mound
Spanish goat cheese, cream cheese
orange zest, green pimento
stuffed olives & scallions



.. Wild Salmon Topped with Morrocan Chermoula Sauce


.. Lemon Scented Orzo Salad
with Cherry Tomato, & Roasted Corn

.. Bulgarian Watermelon, Feta,
Cured Black Olives, Red Onion & Mint
surrounded by a bed of greens


... Zesty Sweet & Sour Broccoli,
Mandarin Oranges & Colored Peppers




.. Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Chickpeas,
Edamame & Roasted Garlic


.. Crunchy Romaine & Spinach Salad With
Thinly Shaved Red Onion, Salt & Pepper Walnuts
& Farm Stand Apples, Red Wine Vinaigrette

.. and for Yummy Dessert,
Eastern European Blintz Cupcakes topped with Fresh Fruit & Sour Cream


















Friday, July 10, 2009

Shabbat on the High Line with the New Shul

fabulous views of Lady Liberty & the Hudson
from the High Line Park in NYC

Rabbi Dan of the New Shul leads the shabbat services
amid the trees in Chelsea's newest park the High Line

The New Shul - a progressive synagogue in the West Village
organized another one of their innovative shabbot programs
tonight at New York City's newest park the High Line in Chelsea.

Life in NYC's hustle and bustle is often vibrant and unexpected.
Visitors are surprised to learn that NYC City life offers
hidden treasures and quiet moments of reflections daily
and this past Friday was no exception.

Approximately 50 New Yorkers came by to
glorious weather, delicious food, warm community
and of course the beautiful new High Line Park.

Some folks joking renamed the park
the "Chai" Line for this special Friday night
Shabbat service hosted by the New Shul.
Throughout the evening visitors to the High Line stopped to
take photos, ask questions and even join in the services
and partake in the wonderful ecclectic food
that a potluck in NYC offers.

The Shabbat services lead by Rabbi Dan Ain
and assisted by Ellen Gould, co-founder of the New Shul
and it's musical director, were followed by
a potluck dinner supplemented with
catering by CuisinEtc Catering and Special Events.

The mandate was light summer fare
- no meat, chicken or tref
(noshellfish, pork, Etc)
so basically vegetarian fare


CuisinEtc Catering & Special Events
Culinary Artist Lisa Teiger
setting up food displays for the High Line Shabbat

CuisinEtc Catering was honored to provide some of
our innovative vegetarian and salad selections.

Stone Fruit Salsa with Stone Ground Tortilla Chips
Fresh fruit only - the best of the summers bounty
mango, cherries, apricots, donut peaches, fresh watercress
& finely diced vidalia onion,
add a touch of jalapeno & lime zest
and you have a dance in your mouth fantastic
juxtaposition of natural acidity balanced with natural sweetness.
A really delicious taste of summer goodness.



Fresh Mozzarella, Fresh Basil & Diced Roma Tomato
with Bowtie Pasta, Garlic, Herbs & EVOO.
Another Summer Winner!

Our Classic Rondele Cheese Swirled with
Housemade Sundried Tomato Tapenade and Basil Pesto
served with CuisinEtc 's infamous
Nigella Seed & Parmesan Flatbreads

Sunflower Basket of Housemade
Calabrese Spinach Empanaditas
Rich Cream Cheese Pastry Filled with
Sauteed Spinach, Olives, Raisons,
Peppered Asiago Cheese & Spices
Baked with Sesame Seed Crust.

This is a tried and true CuisinEtc Catering Recipe
that dates back to our earliest days of catering.
We once made this dish on the beach at Key West
out of our Volkswagen camper and mini stove top.
Now that's creative catering for you!

Sailing Ship filled with Mandarin & Gold Cones of
3 Cheese Tortellini Antipasto Salad
with Olives, Capers, Gerkins
and Housemade Italian Vinaigrette.

Sailing alongside the Hudson River on the High Line
with cones of Tortellini Antipasta Salad

Chef Andrew Alexander-Crossan
of CuisinEtc Catering and Special Events
prepping cones of Tortellini Salad on the High Line

TriColored Carrot Salad
Fresh Yellow, Orange and Red Carrots
Dressed with Chili Lime Vinaigrette
This was one of those dishes that we created after
shopping at the Union Square Market this week
and finding fantastic fresh produce that was just begging to be created into a CuisinEtc Catering masterpieces.
Naturally gorgeous and delicious!

Bhel Puri Indian Potato Salad
Yukon Gold Potatoes, Chickpeas, Cilantro
& Vidalia Onions with Housemade Dual Chutney Dressing
The tastes and textures just expode in your mouth!

and
CuisinEtc Signature Coconut Meringue Clouds
those creamy crispy dreamy coconut cookies that everyone clamours for!

The New Shul's Shabbat services lead by Rabbi Dan Ain
with the help of founder Ellen Gould were brief but lively
and many the passers by stopped
to enjoy the unique atmosphere the Shabbat services
lent to the beautiful July summer night.



Celebrating Shabbat amid the trees
and above the busy streets of NYC
on the High Line in Chelsea


enjoying the food, the services and Shabbat
outdoors on the High Line

singing and clapping to traditional Shabbat songs



Rabbi Dan Ain leads the brief but lively Shabbat services

Executive Director Amy Eichenwald Golding
got to the High Line early
to secure the space and welcome everyone

Thanks Amy for organizing a wonderful evening!







singing with Shabbat
enthusiasm,
spirit
and soul.

Another fabulous
NYC experience
once again proving that Life
as a caterer
is
never
DULL!!!