GOOD OL' FASHIONED SHABBOS DINNER

A few weeks ago I attended the aufruf of a friend of the family who is getting married in 2 weeks. I am not an avid Shul goer, especially since we left behind the most amazing congregation when we moved to Montreal. But as the only representatvie from my family (my parents were away, my husband had to work, my brother was fetching his kids for their weekend visit) I felt obligated. (More obligated than I feel on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippurp-those are times I go to Shul for myself, not because I am someone invited me to attend with them.) You can imagine that I was less than thrilled (I don't know this shul, there won't be anyone I can sit with, no one to pass me candies when boredom strikes....), but I donned my skirt, heels and smile and went.

Revelation of my lifetime: I enjoyed the service.

And it wouldn't bother me to return. In fact, it was a wonderful introspective way to spend 4 hours of a Saturday morning smack dab in the midst of my 2ww. I didn't have anyone to giggle with. I don't wear a watch so I wasn't constantly checking the time. I followed the service, reading along in Hebrew. I was engrossed in the Rabbi's sermon. And to my surprise, found much pleasure in the entire experience.

Towards the end I was remembering the wonderful Shabbat dinners that The C and I (and Shlomit!!) used to share in our miniature apartment in Toronto. The we would head off for Services and have a wonderful night together. I thought about how much I miss those times because, although The C and I are not very observant Jews, this was the moment in our week where everything else ceased to be important. What was significant was that we were together, as a family (which included Shlomit), and later at services, as part of a community.

I left Shul vowing to make Shabbat important in our lives again. (Important for us. Everyone's definition is different.) I would find my candlesticks that are still in their box from our move two years ago. I would make the trek to the bakery for some delicious challah. (Mel and Sarah, your industriousness inspires me, one day maybe you can teach me to make my own challah.) And I would recreate our old-time dinner (minus Shlomit, but perhaps plus some other family members.) I felt good and I was excited.

My mother beat me to the punch and instead invited us to her house for Shabbat dinner tonight. (Homemade chicken soup and all-I just can't wait!) Since my idea of me making Shabbat willhave to be put off for another two weeks (we will be in Vegas next week), I thought I would share with you:

Ms. C's Old Fashioned Shabbos ('cuz that's how the family from the Old Country pronounce it) Dinner.

Menu
Grilled Salmon (recipe to follow)
Raosted Asparagus
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Red Wine (because you can't bench over white wine, right Shlomit!)
Ice Cream and Fruit
And something chocolate for good measure

Teriyaki Salmon
6 salmon fillets
2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
1 tsp minced ginger
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp dijon mustard

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl and then pour over salmon to marinate. Sometimes I marinate for 30 minutes becasue that's all I have. Sometimes I am organized and marinate overnight.

The salmon is best grilled on the bbq (our favorite method), but can also be cooked in the microwave (8-9 minutes on high, flipping pieces halfway through), or in the oven in a pyrex (Bake at 400F for about 10 minutes).

Serve salmon with asparagus (we toss it with olive oil, salt, pepper and a fresh herb and throw it on the bbq, but it can also be steamed or roasted in the oven), and melt-in-your-mouth sweet potatoes (done in the microwave or in the oven).

Sit with friends and family and enjoy.

Shabbat Shalom to everyone.

(What? You weren't actaully expecting something traditional from me, were you??!!)

(And at the risk of making you fall off your chair by not once mentioning IF in a post, allow me to say this: I can't wait for the day that The C and I can have our dinner with our children.)