Ten Commandments of Jewish Cooking

Happy 10/10/10 everybody! The calendar abbreviation 10/10/10 will only happen once during this century. This day has no other particular significance that I’m aware of, but with “Happy 10/10/10” wishes flying around the internet, I can’t help being reminded of the Ten Commandments – or more specifically, my Ten Commandments of Jewish Cooking.

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The Biblical Ten Commandments are no laughing matter. They represent a covenant between God and the nation of Israel; their arrival is one of the most important points in Jewish history. In the Torah, after the Exodus from Egypt, Moses spends 40 days and nights on top of Mt. Sinai. During that time, he receives a revelation from God; he later descends the mountain and presents two stone tablets to the ancient Israelites. The tablets are engraved with the Ten Commandments.

These relatively simple laws have had a major influence on human virtue throughout the centuries. Whether or not you’re a religious person, the Ten Commandments affect your life; they formed the basis of law and morality for Western Civilization.

And now, for a far less important list…

Tori Avey’s Ten Commandments of Jewish Cooking

I. Thou shalt strive to be a true balabusta, and have pride in every Jewish dish thou creates.

II. Thou shalt not fear the schmaltz. Chicken fat is your friend!

III. Thou shalt prepare thine gefilte fish from scratch, not from a jar of jelled broth.

IV. Thou shalt not spread mayonnaise on thy pastrami sandwich… it’s spicy mustard or nothing!

V. Thou shalt cook thy brisket slowly with moist heat, otherwise it will turn out tough and chewy.

VI. Thou shalt not use bouillon cubes to make thy soup stock. Make it from scratch, unless thou is seriously in a hurry.

VII. Thou shalt top thy bagels with lox and a schmear. A few capers won’t hurt, either.

VIII. Thou shalt make matzo balls the way thy bubbe made them. Bubbe always knows best.

IX. Thou shalt always make more food than thou needest. Leftovers are mandatory.

And last but not least, the most important Jewish cooking commandment of all…

X. Thou shalt keep it kosher!

There they are – the only Jewish kitchen commandments you’ll ever need. Share them. Memorize them. Live by them! Or forget about them completely. Whatever floats your matzo ball.  🙂

Now that you know my Ten Commandments of Jewish Cooking, I want you to make a list for me! Please comment me and let me know your Top Ten Favorite Jewish Dishes. Happy 10/10/10!