9 Dishes to Make for Your Yom Kippur Break-Fast
Yom Kippur marks the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, and is the end of a 10-day period of repentance, starting with the Jewish New Year. The main focus of the holiday is to step away from the norm, and focus completely on prayer. To do this, Jews will traditionally avoid comfortable habits such as wearing leather, bathing, and eating or drinking from sundown to sunset during the holiday.
It's almost humorous that the one holiday Jewish people are instructed to abstain from eating or drinking anything is arguably the most food obsessed. Everyone spends weeks talking about what they'll make for the meal after the fast or what friends they plan to feast with. But preparing for the end of fast meal is actually pretty complicated.
You'll often find bagels, lox, and cream cheese on the menu for a break-fast meal. Not because there is any real connection between a bagel and the fast day, but simply because it's a super easy, high-carbohydrate meal to throw together (and it's delicious). Because of this, Jews who follow specific dietary laws cannot serve meat and dairy together, so the break-fast meal tends to be meat-free. The ultimate trick for prepping your break-fast feast is to plan non-meat foods that can be made at least a day in advance and can be served cold or warmed up in a snap.
Here are our best recipes to end your fast this Yom Kippur.
Greek Chopped Salad with Grilled Pita
This salad comes together in just a few minutes, and is a delicious addition to your break-fast meal. The fresh ingredients help balance out the heavier foods in your spread.
Pomegranate, Avocado, and Citrus Brussels Sprouts Salad
Pomegranates have a special place at the dining room table during the high holidays, so it's only fitting to place them in the spotlight of this gorgeous salad. Plus, this dish is so quick, it can be tossed together as guests arrive.
Nutty and herby, this Israeli-style side dish is a sure winner at your table. The couscous gives a hearty, pasta like bite and the cauliflower adds a meatiness you don't expect.
Creamy Carrot and Herb Linguine
Serve this lightened-up pasta dish chilled or quickly warmed up before company comes. The carrots keep the dish feeling full, while the creamy herb sauce adds decadence.
Spinach and Feta Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust
Quiche tends to make an appearance at break-fast meals, but they can pack on grease and calories faster than you would expect. This healthier take uses sweet potatoes to form a crust, so you can still indulge in the cheesy, eggy goodness.
Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole with Peas and Breadcrumbs
Everyone loves a classic tuna noodle casserole, and this version is almost too good to be true. Simply prep the casserole, and when guests arrive top with cheese and breadcrumbs and bake before serving serving.
Double Berry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
The perfect side dish for a breakfast-forward bagel and cream cheese dinner is a slice of French toast casserole. Bonus points if you use whole wheat challah bread.
Serve this herby sauce with a plate full of crudités for guests to snack on as you reheat the main meal, or use to top a quick baked or poached salmon platter.
There's nothing quite like a cheesy and veggie-packed lasagna, and this one adds layers of tofu for an extra protein punch. You can keep the lasagna in the fridge until you're ready to warm and serve.
Have a happy and sweet New Year, everyone!
