Celebrating Trees on Tu B’Shvat

Tu B’Shvat is celebrated by planting trees and eating fruits and nuts. It’s a bit too chilly here in the US to plant trees right now, but we can surely celebrate with some delicious kosher gift baskets of fruits and other delicious treats!

Marking ”The New Year for Trees”

Fruit Baskets are the Perfect Tu B’Shvat Gift

Send California’s Best Natural Treats

Here’s an elegant idea for this Jewish holiday: share our elegant wooden crate filled with 5 of California’s finest gems; dates, pears, pistachios, turkish apricots and Berry Blossom Trail Mix. We know California isn’t Israel, but this kosher gift basket is certainly in the spirit for Tu B’Shvat! BUY $44.99

A Gluten Free Gift Basket Option

Looking for a gluten free gift basket? We love this kosher gift basket that’s centered around fresh fruit and also adds in some gluten free treats. Our all-natural Chocolate Rugelach that is not only gluten free, but also dairy free, nut free and soy free. An accompanying tin of Torie and Howard Organic hard candy is gluten free as well. BUY $79.99

The staff at Challah Connection searched deep within our souls this week (well, okay, maybe we were just goofing around and skimming the surface?!). Anyway, we had a great time coming up with some thoughtful resolutions for the upcoming New Year. Then, we found just the right solutions to help us reach our lofty goals!

New Years Resolution #1: HAVE MORE FUN

We took a very “scientific” poll and found we needed to be more, well….Mashuga. With New Years coming—this is time to practice!

This New Year's basket has it all!

Fun, elegantly packaged!

The name says everything....

New Years Resolution #2: EAT BREAKFAST

Nutritionists say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Good thing everyone here knows that challah makes the best French toast!

Solutions:

This will do nicely for breakfast....

  

Can I start this resolution before New Years?

Is it morning time yet?

New Years Resolution #3: LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

We all need a language that the kids can’t understand, don’t we?! Yiddish fits the bill.

Drink and learn? Cool!

 

Jane especially loves this idea!

New Years Resolution #4: LEARN OUR BEST FRIENDS’ LANGUAGE

Dogs are so important to our lives, and we love them so! We’re going to show our love by learning more about how to raise ‘em right and speak in ways they can understand.

The pooch's point of view matters!

New Years Resolution #5: BE MORE OPEN MINDED

Well, if we need to be less “black and white,” we’d better create some shades of gray!

Black + white = grey....

I think I can, I think I can...!

Almost at my resolution...!

New Years Resolution #6: STAY CALMER, BREATHE DEEPER

Ah, the eternal elusive goal, isn’t it? We resolve to do this all the time. Maybe these solutions will get us there for 2013!

Yiddish and Yoga? But of course!

Now THAT's calming! Grandma's soup and a challah. Ahhhhh....

I was so happy to see this New York Times article last weekend, about Deb Perelman and the Smitten Kitchen.

Kosher Corporate Gifts for Jewish Colleagues

Non-Denominational Holiday Gifts: Do it Right, Make it Special

Should you Send a Kosher Corporate Gift?

We just had to share this idea!

Today one of our clients in Los Angeles ordered 3 bags of blue and white cookies for Hanukkah. They are for her annual “Vodka and Latkes” party.

This is her 4^th year and it has grown from a handful of people to more than 60! For the first time this year, she is having waitstaff who will be carrying trays of different flavors of shots; peach, marshmallow, etc. After you drink the shot, you eat a latke.

She serves her latkes with caviar and crème fraiche. The party is “all about having fun and celebration.” Festive attire is requested on the invitation. Her 23 year old daughter came up with the idea. Good thing she was already “legal” to drink!

Throw your own version of Vodka and Latkes! We’ve got the best potato latkes right here to get your party started!

New Hanukkah Gift Ideas for Kids

When you sign up for the Challah Connection newsletter, you automatically get holiday discounts and shipping priority. This means if you are on our list we will ensure your gifts arrive by the 1st night of Hanukkah (December 8th), if that’s what you request. Don’t forget to sign up!

We Love these Great New Hanukkah Gift Basket Items!

It’s been really fun coming up with great new products to our Hanukkah gift baskets this year. If you’re looking for special Jewish holiday gifts, Challah Connection has a creative selection of Hanukkah baskets that I’ve put together to suit the people on your list.

Kosher Hanukkah Baskets that make  ”Miracle Brunches”

This is a great kosher gift basket for anyone who likes to cook and entertain.Send this Jewish holiday gift to friends or family, and they can whip up some delicious blueberry muffins in adorable Chanukkah muffin cups to serve overnight guests – or themselves!   I love it when there’s an opportunity to make breakfast into a special occasion. There’s also flatbread and gourmet smoked salmon pate in this Hanukkah basket, along with some fantastic Meditalia basil pesto tapenade (great on crackers or in an omelette), and roasted chickpeas for snacking.

We rounded out this great kosher Hanukkah gift with coffee, tea and honey. I couldn’t resist adding a Happy Chanukah dish towel, and topping it all off with some peony foiled chocolates. Yum! It’s a delicious and festive Jewish holiday gift that’s perfect when you’re looking for something a little different, and memorable.

Get your Hanukkah Basket Shipped for December 8th!

When you sign up for the Challah Connection newsletter, you automatically get holiday discounts and shipping priority. This means if you are on our list we will ensure your gifts arrive by the 1st night of Hanukkah (December 8th), if that’s what you request. Don’t forget to sign up!

Looking for a Delicious Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe?

I love stuffing, especially when it’s made with one of our delicious challah loaves! Here’s my go-to recipe for Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Stuffing for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Stuffing Ingredients:

• 1 lb. plain challah cut into ½ cubes
• 6 tablespoons butter (or margarine)
• 2 large yellow onions, chopped
• 1 lb fresh cultivated white mushrooms, brushed clean and sliced
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon or 2 teaspoons dried tarragon
• ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
• ¾ cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten until blended

How to Make Stuffing for Thanksgiving

Preheat over to 400.

Spread challah cubes in single layer in a large baking pan. Bake, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.

In a large, heavy frying pan over medium high heat, melt the butter. When hot, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add mushrooms and celery and cook, stirring frequently until tender, about 8 minutes. Add to the challah cubes, along with the tarragon and parsley. Add stock or broth to the same pan and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add to the bread and season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in the eggs.

To bake the stuffing in a turkey, fill the cavities with the stuffing and truss. Increase the roasting time of the turkey by 30 minutes.

Butter (can use margarine) a baking dish large enough to hold the remaining stuffing. Cover with foil and bake alongside the turkey for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is golden brown, about 30 minutes longer.
To bake all the stuffing in a baking dish, preheat oven to 325.

Butter a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish and spoon stuffing into it. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes longer.
Makes about 12 cups stuffing; enough for 16lb. turkey

Copyright, 2010, Challah Connection