Vayigash - I am Yosef!
This weeks parsha, “Vayigash” I am Yosef!” are the words joseph spoke to his brothers after ordering the egyptians out of the room,since he didn’t want his brothers to be put to shame. After all they had sold him as a slave 22 years ago. What a family reunion! the torah literally says that Joseph “wept on them” The parsha goes on the tell us how Pharoh insisted on Joseph moving his entire family to Egypt and he provided the brothers with wagons and rations so they would be able to go back to their father in style. In Jewish gatherings food is of uptmost importance. why not have a “family reunion” shabbot meal this shabbos. In order that we remember and commenorate the “reunion” of Joseph and his brothers and finally Yosef with his father Jacob, have a family style meal. Remebering that Joseph was the “favorite” why not have the favorite foods special to different family members. For example the kasha and bows that my grandmother loved and or the great hot split pea soup that Grandpa Chuck likes and the very favorite brisket that Aunt Gail loves. This shabbos think about the dishes that the other family members like and rave about and make this meal one of blessing of being united with your family and friends. As Jacob said when he first found out that his son Joseph was alive, …”i am satified that he’s still alive. I don’t care whether he’s a kiing or a slave….” I must therefore go and see him before I die.” And Jacob began his journey to Egypt to be reunited with his son. When Yaakov and Yosef are reunited Rashi tells us that the one who was crying was Yosef, while Yaakov was reciting the prayer Shema Yisrael, to give thanks to Hashem and express his gratitude at being reunited with his son. May we all give thanks to Hashem on this shabbos that we are together with our families and can enjoy the blessings of the shabbos lights and challah . During our lives we sometimes face many hardships and difficult times and this parsha reminds me of what my grandma Ray used to say “ Gam zu le’ tovah ” this too is for the good. We might not see the “big picture” just as Joseph was thrown into slavery, sold and ended up in an Egyptian jail, seperated from his beloved father. Only Hashem knows what will happen and we must appreciate and be grateful for that which we have. Though sometimes relationships we have with our family members have been tough it is wise to remember that our most cherished relationships are usually the ones which have been the hardest and require the most work. So as with the 3 words”I am Yosef” all the past years suddenly made sense to his brothers, may we find clarity in our lives and enjoy the gifts of food and family which Hashem has given us.
This weeks recipes will be the “kasha and bows” or as grandma ray used to call it “kasha varnishkes”and my “carrot top” kugel for all those red heads at your table(real or helped) Jews celebrate “Thanksgiving”, everyday in our daily prayers of thanks to Hashem. Why not make a turkey with stuffing as a great way to feed a shabbos “reunion” with friends and family. My family especially loves my challah stuffing.
Challah stuffing
l challah sliced and toasted
3 onions
1 lb. mushrooms sliced
2 stalks celery
2 tabl. dried chicken broth(i like Carmel)
1 cup of warm water
salt and pepper to taste
1 teasp. sage
1 teasp. thyme
2 tabl. fresh parsely chopped
1 egg
1/2 cup margerine
saute mushrooms, onions and celery in pan with 2 tbl. oil. Toast challah and place in large mixing bowl cut into bite size pieces. Add rest of ingredients, and toss. Place into cavity of turkey. (If you choose not to cook in turkey, bake in 350 degree oven covered for 1 hour. Remove covering last 15 minutes and add 1/3 cup juices from turkey gravy to stuffing, cook until top nicely browned.)
Kasha and Bows
1lb. bow tie noodles(cook according to package instructions)
3 onions chopped and sauteed in 2tbls. vegetable oil
1/2lb. sliced mushrooms sauteed with the onions.
1 cup medium or coarse kasha sauteed for a minute or 2 over high heat (you can add an egg, scramble in corner of pan and then add to kasha )
2cups of chicken broth
salt and pepper
use a separate pot when cooking the kasha add the chicken broth and salt and pepper, bring to a boil and then simmer, covered for about 10-15 minutes until the farfel is cooked. Add sauteed onions and mushrooms and add to the cooked bow tie noodles. Add more salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle some fresh parsely before serving.
Another side dish which is a favorite of my sons is carrot kugel. A great dish to make if you have any red heads at your shabbos dinner. I made this dish just for the “carrot tops”.
Carrot Top Kugel
1cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup margerine
4 eggs
3 cups grated carrots
2 1/2 cups flour
2teasp. baking powder
1 teasp. salt
1 teasp. baking soda
4 tbl. lemon juice
1 teasp. vanilla extract
1 teasp. almond extract
Cream all ingredients together and bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until top is lightly brown.
