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Happy YASSSletter Thursday Gingis!

Life is simply flying by and the girls and I are taking advantage of every moment together. Long walks through the parks in New York, early mornings giggling in our kitchen feeding T prunes, and late nights working on beautiful life fulfilling projects together. We have officially begun work recipe testing for our cookbook. Absolutely the most exciting of times!

But even more exciting is the Jewish holiday of Shavout - next week! This holiday is all about eating DAIRY products. We’ve got three gorgeous dairy based recipes for you this week + a little background on those not familiar with this holiday!

On the agenda today 🙊:

1. 📜 History + Origin: Shavout!

2. 🍓 Malabi (Israeli Panna Cotta)

3. 🌱 Spinach & Artichoke Khachapuri Recipe

4. 🍊 Orange Blossom & Cardomom Basque Cheesecake Recipe

📜 History + Origin Story: Shavuot

Shavuot, also known as the Festival of Weeks, is a Jewish holiday celebrated seven weeks after Passover. It holds great significance in Jewish tradition as it commemorates the giving of the Torah (the sacred Jewish scriptures) on Mount Sinai. While the holiday has deep religious and spiritual roots, it is also associated with a variety of traditional foods that add flavor and joy to the festivities.

In ancient times, Shavuot was primarily an agricultural holiday, marking the beginning of the wheat harvest in Israel. Farmers would bring their first fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem as an offering of gratitude to God for the abundance of the land. Today, this agricultural connection is reflected in the culinary customs and dishes associated with Shavuot.

Dairy products hold a central place in Shavuot cuisine. There are several explanations for this tradition. One interpretation is that when the Israelites received the Torah, they suddenly became aware of the dietary laws, which required separating meat and dairy. Since they did not have enough time to prepare kosher meat, they opted for dairy dishes instead. Another explanation is that the Torah is likened to "milk and honey," symbolizing its sweetness and nourishment.

🍓Malabi (Israeli Panna Cotta)

Get ready, Gingis, because we're about to take the dairy holiday of Shavuot to a whole new level of excitement with the ultimate Israeli dessert sensation: MALABI! Malabi, the Israeli answer to panna cotta, is a creamy milk custard that's about to get a flavor makeover of epic proportions. Imagine this: a luscious milk custard adorned with a tantalizing strawberry syrup, a hint of fragrant rose water, a sprinkle of shredded coconut, and a burst of roasted peanuts. But hey, we're not stopping there. Oh no! We're kicking it up a notch with some mind-blowing upgrades to those delectable toppings. Prepare to have your mind blown as we swap out the ordinary strawberry syrup for a vibrant concoction of fresh strawberries, sugar, and sumac. This glorious blend creates a thick, ruby-red syrup that will have your taste buds doing a happy dance. And let's talk about the shredded coconut, shall we? We're taking those humble shreds and toasting them to golden perfection, infusing them with a caramelized sweetness that will make you weak in the knees. But wait, Gingis, there's more! Instead of plain old peanuts, we're introducing the fabulousness of pistachios.

🌱 Spinach & Artichoke Khachapuri

Hold onto your taste buds, folks, because we're diving headfirst into the tantalizing world of Khachapuri! Originating from the breathtaking country of Georgia, where Europe meets Asia in a glorious fusion of flavors, Khachapuri is the epitome of indulgence and comfort. Picture this: a golden, pillowy bread filled to the brim with a glorious blend of cheeses that will make your taste buds sing with joy. But hey, we're not stopping there! Last week, I decided to kick things up a notch and invited Chanie over to join the party. Together, we took this already mind-blowing dish and added a twist that will make your mouth water in anticipation. Are you ready for it? Artichokes and spinach. That's right, we infused this cheesy wonderland with the vibrant freshness of spinach and the earthy goodness of artichokes. Can you say flavor explosion? It's like a freaking party in your mouth! The result? A Khachapuri experience that will transport you to culinary heaven, where each bite is a celebration of taste, texture, and pure unadulterated joy.

🍊Orange Blossom & Cardamom Basque Cheesecake

Get ready to have your taste buds transported to a whole new level of cheesecake heaven, my friends! We all know that cheesecake reigns supreme as the most iconic Shavuot delicacy, but this holiday, I decided to take things up a notch and introduce you to a divine creation—the Basque cheesecake. Brace yourself for a delightful journey that originated in the picturesque Basque Country of northern Spain, where creamy dreams are made. This cheesecake, also known as "tarta de queso" or "burnt cheesecake," is unlike anything you've ever tasted. This rustic beauty has stolen the show with its creamy texture and caramelized exterior that will have you weak in the knees. And here's the best part: no crust! That's right, we're simplifying the process without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. Just mix all the heavenly ingredients, pour the luscious batter into a parchment paper-lined cake pan, and voila! Your taste buds are in for a wild ride.

But wait, my friends, it doesn't stop there. We're taking this tantalizing treat to new heights with an Israeli twist that will leave you begging for more. Prepare for a burst of orange blossom-infused goodness and the warm embrace of cardamom that will elevate this Basque cheesecake to new realms of indulgence.

Hope you have a weekend full of YASSS! Until next Thursday Gingis.

Love, Ben & Zikki xx

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