By Jamie Geller – joyofkosher.com
My first love — before building and raising a family, was dairy.
If it were up to me I would only use the meat side of my kitchen for Shabbos and short ribs (and brisket!) and that’s about it. But G-d forbid don’t let it be suggested that I am celebrating over dairy dinners on the 9 days.
The 9 days officially begin on Thursday night with Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the Jewish month of Av) and are an acute time of mourning for the Jewish people.
And every year without fail, people are always asking me for dairy dinner ideas during the 9 days. So, what I’m going to do today is suggest a number of dinner ideas that you can use for inspiration. This will give you plenty of time to think about and prep the meals you want. And who knows, maybe you will be pleased with some (all?) of them and work them into your year-round repertoire!
Here are all 9 recipes to find your favorite one:
#1 Mac and Cheese
This mac and cheese features cheddar, kashkaval and goat cheese with a panko bread crumb topping.
➙ THREE CHEESE MAC AND CHEESE WITH GARLIC ROASTED TOMATOES
#2 Mediterranean Tuna Burger
When you want something hot and satisfying that feels and tastes meat-y go with a tuna or salmon burger. Stuffed in a bun layered with fixins can help a craving.
#3 Vegan Spaghetti “Bolognese”
Another one of those fake it meals, I am not going to say you won’t taste the difference, but it’s darn good and darn close to the real thing.
#4 Chopped Mexican Salad
Hubby’s favorite thing is when I “work” the house. Use whatever we have around to make dinner and save a buck and a trip to the store. So if you only have kidney beans or chick peas and not black beans swap it, if you have bell peppers instead of tomatoes sub it, have some crunchy carrots add it. Make this salad your own.
#5 Mediterranean Hummus Pizza
This hummus and feta pizza with olives, peppers and fresh tomatoes (instead of marinara sauce) is a lovely light change for hot summer days.
#6 Potato and Cheddar Frittata
This is another super versatile dish, you can add red peppers, spinach, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms whatever you’ve got. A light green salad on the side rounds out the meal.
#7 Honey Baked Salmon
For easy weeknight entertaining make this honey mustard side of salmon as fillets and save the whole side for when you want to dress things up.
#8 Mexican Baked Potato
There is nothing like a stuffed potato especially with a little spice.
#9 Sundried Tomato and Brie Stuffed Portabella
A nice no carb dairy dinner.
➙ SUNDRIED TOMATO AND BRIE STUFFED MUSHROOMS
Hoping the upcoming 9 Days will be a spiritual time, one of introspection, and a time where we unite as a nation.
Just made the tuna burgers. Definitely captured the texture and juiciness of the real deal. Only change I would make is put 1/4 tsp. less salt, especially if you’re doing the olive tapenade. And a bit of lemon juice. Otherwise, very filling and delicious! (can broil if you don’t have grill).