The evening meals of Rosh Hashanah include the consuming of simanim, or symbols. We eat foods that symbolically relate to the blessings we want to see in the year ahead. Here I have created for you a complete Simanim menu to enhance the enjoyment of your holiday. This menu is full of fresh, whole ingredients. It’s a Dairy/Fish menu, but most dishes could be made parve if you wanted to serve them with meat.
Rosh Hashanah is my absolute favorite holiday. The high holidays are a serious time for sure, but there is also so much joy in the start of a new year. I’ve already begun to take stock of my year. What kind of person have I been this year? Who do I want to be? How can I improve who I am and make better choices? It’s important to reflect on the past and be honest with ourselves. But it’s also important to look forward. There is a year in front of us. One full of possibility. There are opportunities that haven’t yet knocked, lessons we have not yet learned, and the chance to be an even better version of ourselves.
Looking back on the year, one incredible thing that changed for me was this site. I began Candidly Delicious in June of this year. I am so blessed to be able to work everyday doing something that I am so passionate about. I B”H for this opportunity, but I also have to thank YOU. It’s because of you that I can be here, creating recipes, trying new foods, improving my photography. When you visit my site, like and comment on my social media, click on my ads, etc, you are helping to support me. So thank you for allowing me to create this amazing content for you, and I look forward to the next year together.
On Rosh Hashanah, we pray to Hashem for bracha in every area of life in the upcoming year. This is what the simanim dinners are all about. We are joyous, hopeful, pious. In my home, I do not serve a large meal after the symbolic foods. Rather, I create a meal full of the simanim. It’s a full balanced meal with appetizer, drink, main, dessert. So the blessings are a tasting of real dishes, not just individual foods. Let’s discuss the simanim that I’ve represented in this menu.
Apples and Honey: We dip our apples in honey for the blessing of a sweet new year. I like to use 3-4 different apples. I pre-slice them and mix them together for a varied bowl of apples. To keep your apples from browning, toss them in a mixture of 2 parts Lime juice, 1 part Honey.
Carrots: Carrots are eaten so that our merits may increase. For this, I have created Spiced Carrot Soup. It’s a warm, fall soup that will get your meal off on the right foot.
Dates: We consume dates with the blessing that our enemies may also be consumed. This omen is not about removing barriers but more about Hashem’s justice. For the Date course, I have given you the simple to prepare Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates. They come together in only minutes and can be frozen for advance prep.
Fish: We pray that we may multiply like the fish in the sea. This course is the entree in the menu. I serve Pan-seared Flounder with Pumpkin Sauce over white rice. Flounder is a mild-tasting fish and the Pumpkin sauce is bold and full of flavor. It’s a dynamic combination.
Beets: Beets come with the wish that our adversaries be removed. It’s not unlike the blessing from leeks. I have put together a Beet Relish for this course. Beet Relish is perfect on top of chicken or fish, but it is also a sweet, beet side dish. It’s served here as a side.
Leeks: We consume leeks so that our enemies will be decimated. It sounds harsh, but imagine if you’ve been struggling so hard for something...seemingly coming up short due to barriers you can’t even see. Then suddenly, those barriers disappear and you are able to push forth and succeed. That is how I see this blessing. For this, I invented Leek Latkes. Can Leeks latke? Oh yes, they can. This crazy, addictive appetizer will whet the palate of everyone at your table.
Pomegranate: We eat Pomegranate for the blessing that just as the pomegranate is filled with seeds, we may also be filled with merits. For the pomegranate course, I created a fun cocktail. The Pomegranate Martini is an adult-only drink. If you are serving children at your table, you can substitute lemonade or ginger ale for the vodka. Then the kids can enjoy their own mocktail!
Gourd: Pumpkin is a common gourd, which we consume so that our faults may be forgiven and our merits proclaimed. It’s quite a lofty blessing to be honest. From this siman, I’ve created an elegant dessert. Here you have Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse Cups. Each serving includes caramelly cookie crumble for a crust with smooth pumpkin pie cheesecake mousse and topped with fresh whipped cream.
In addition to what I’ve presented, some minhagim will also include: Black-eyed peas, Sheep’s head, or a Fish head. I hope that I have helped to bring joy to your yom tov, and inspired you to create meals that you are proud to share with your guests. Shanah Tovah U’Metukah!
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