Rosh Hashanah

Welcome to Kitchn’s series Kitchn Crush, where we highlight some of the coolest, most inspiring people in food you need to know about right now. Rosh Hashana (the celebration of Jewish New Year) begins at sundown on Sunday, September 9, and from now until then Paula Shoyer‘s phone is going to be ringing off the hook.

For our final Modern Thanksgiving Relish Tray (see our pickle board and spread of dips and crudités) I went a very untraditional route for Thanksgiving: cheese! I was looking for something that represented the Bay Area and our local bounty, something unique and delicious and maybe just a bit decadent. Something dramatic and singular and celebratory. Well, hello there, whole wheel of beautiful, buttery Mt. Tam! You’re looking marvelous!

While the relish tray was originally passed as a way to add a brisk and snappy appetizer element to the rich Thanksgiving meal, it’s not too surprising that people eventually started adding creamy mayo and sour cream-based dressings as something to dip those healthy carrot and celery sticks into. We took the middle road and offered creamy hummus and smoky eggplant dip on our second Modern Relish Tray (our first tray was all about pickles).

Many families celebrate Rosh Hashanah at home by eating apples dipped in honey. The apples’ round shape symbolizes the passing of time — Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year after all. And the honey represents people’s hopes for sweet times ahead. This year, double up on the apple and honey tradition by toasting the New Year with hard apple ciders and mead (honey wine). Here are four good picks from two people who really know their cider and mead.

From Texas to Tel Aviv, just about everyone loves brisket — the flavorful cut of beef found on the breast or lower chest of the cow. And what’s not to like? The slowly-cooked meat is exceptionally tender and moist with caramelized edges perfect for nibbling straight from the pan. There are many different ways to prepare brisket, from Texas-style barbecued brisket, to Irish corned beef. But I grew up eating Jewish-style brisket, particularly during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Setting up a buffet table like the one for our Cozy Holiday Potluck might not seem like a part of the gathering that needs a lot of attention. Cover a table with a tablecloth and let guests drop off dishes as they arrive, right?! Even so, I think putting just five minutes of thought into the buffet table will make your life easier and help the whole evening go off without a hitch.

Among the loveliest holiday traditions is the eating of apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. (It begins at sundown on Friday, September 18, this year.) Dipping apples in honey symbolizes the hope for a sweet year ahead, and cooks may also incorporate these ingredients into desserts for the holiday meal.