Tips For Preparing Kosher Meals That Are Delicious And Nutritious

By Donald Meyer


If you were raised in a Jewish household, kashrut is second nature to you. You don't have to think twice about what is permitted to eat and what isn't. If kashrut is new to you, the rules may seem confining and confusing. Instead of getting frustrated over what you can't cook, you should focus on all the food it is permissible to eat and get creative about preparing dishes. There are plenty of nutritious and delicious kosher meals that are easy and economical to make.

If you haven't already, you need to become a familiar face at the local farmer's market. Fresh produce is something entirely within the limits of your diet. Fruits, vegetables, and herbs are all completely fine as long as they are clean and insect free. With these foods alone, the dishes you can create are virtually endless. Not only are they within the kashrut, but they're good for you as well.

Margarine is a butter substitute Jewish cooks have long used to bake and cook pareve dishes. The problem is that margarine has unhealthy levels of transfat. In addition to that, most think it is lacking in taste. A better alternative is extra virgin olive oil, which has more flavor and is good for you.

You need to familiarize yourself with the health food aisle in your local supermarket. You will find a wide variety of gluten and dairy free products there. You'll also find these foods in health food stores. One of the benefits of the browsing these shelves is the certifications you'll see, including kosher certifications. Shoppers serious about what they eat demand authentic organic, vegan, and fair trade food stuffs.

For those who live in an urban area, finding great specialty foods may not be that challenging. Living in a smaller community might require the Jewish chef to go online in search of delicacies. That is where you'll find items like Vietnamese fish sauce, Manchego cheese, and curry paste.

You should familiarize yourself with international cuisine. The possibilities here are endless. Asian dishes, for instance, are pretty much dairy free. You won't have much trouble changing out pork for an approved meat.

You will have a much easier time shopping when you familiarize yourself with certification symbols. Kof-K and the Orthodox Union are the most common, but there are others less seen but just as authentic. A lot of major brands bear the symbols. The more symbols you recognize the more food choices you will have, and your menus will become much more diversified.

Not all kosher foods will have a hechsher. You need to learn which ones are within kashrut. Some foods that may not have a certification symbol, but are perfectly fine include pure unflavored coffee and honey, plain popcorn kernels, extra virgin olive oil, raw nuts, and approved meats. Instead of letting the limitations intimidate you, let your imagination and creative side take over. Your meals will be delicious and 100% kosher.




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