Kugel-palooza
May 11th, 2009 by Marilyn
Either Sara’s Tell Simmer was riveting – it was – or I’m hidden deep in the kitchen, up to my ears in kugel.
Guess what? It’s both.
The laser focus right now is on Josie’s impending Bat Mitzvah, a seismic event counting down in three weeks. Were I a sane-type person, I’d either a) pay someone to do all this, b) let people help me, or c) pay someone to do all this. But we are who we are. So there is rugelach, strawberry and apricot. There are chocolate chip shortbreads, and there are mint brownies. There are espresso brownies and pecan brownies and cinnamon coffee cake, cut into small pieces specially designed to crumble down one’s dress.
And then there is kugel.
Don’t tell my Aunt Rose – or is it Aunt Ruth? – but I messed with her recipe. I ran the cottage cheese, sour cream & eggs through the blender for silkier texture; in one batch I poured on the cinnamon, and in another, combined pineapple with – ready now? – dried cranberries. Let’s just say I’m glad that Aunt Ruth is a non-Internet using 90-something, and will not get the news from me.
On the plus side, the cranberry-pineapple kugel – made specially for Josie, who loves both – is excellent, and she munches the trimmed ends as fast as I can cut them.
When I’m not mercilessly altering family tradition, I’m baking 200 dog biscuit-shaped cookies (hello, dog theme), stuffing candy into guest bags, and up late sketching centerpiece plans. Glittery dog house, no, striped dog house, no – well, you get the idea. What I’m saying is that right now, be glad you’re not me. While it’s unlikely you’d ever want to be me anyway, right now is especially not the time. Be glad you are you. Can I be you?
On the other plus side, Mother’s Day provided, if not a break in the action, a little progress in action. My mother-in-law and Josie helped with stacks of unthinkable tasks, I was gifted with a speedy new printer, and Greg and I briefly stopped bickering over how much candy should be on what table. At the end of the day we all went out, where I enjoyed a glorious parmesan-crusted filet, truffled fries, creamed spinach and a warm, welcome glass of red. After, we stopped for cappuccino and a leisurely stroll home under cool, beautiful skies.
Back at my dining room table, I gulped the last of my coffee and tied ribbons onto guest bags.
And that’s the way it is here at Kugel-palooza. I said to someone recently, “what is this? When did I become an extra in a shtetl musical?” But – shh, don’t tell my family - it’s okay. We’re quite proud of our girl, and what’s more, I think she might be secretly fond of her crazy mom. Overall, looming kugels aside, a pretty good Mother’s Day. How was yours?
* during party countdown, expect less frequent but possibly meatier posts, including one juicy story on its way. Not down, just a bit out – and thank you, as always, for Simmering.
love this and everything looks so good, not fair really…it’s time for breakfast and I will be looking at a bowl of oatmeal…when these leftovers seem so much more appealing!!!
Hang in there! When faced with mammoth household tasks, I always construct a musical playlist. Everything goes a little smoother with the right music.
For Mother’s Day, I baked my wife a cake. When we were at the Disney Studios, we ate the grapefruit cake at the Brown Derby, and she loved it. I tried to replicate the cake at home, but I quickly realized that I don’t really know how to ice a cake. When it comes to baking, I just need to stick with bread. However, I might post about my experiences making the grapefruit cake.
In total awe. This will be the best catered Bat Mitvah, evah! The only thing I’m curious about is where you are storing all the food for the next three weeks. I envisage every closet packed with sweets and treats….
Josie is so lucky to have her very talented mom do her bat mitzvah! That is priceless. And it all sounds delicious.
I too was curious on how everything is stored. Frozen? Please, Tell Simmer?
Wish you could all be there! What a blog-a-palooza that would be.
About storage: I literally bought a new standing freezer, which is out in the garage as we speak, already bursting with cookies of every stripe. Remember about freezing: the more fat, the better it freezes. It’s basically a freezer full of butter.
Today I moved on to making homemade liqueurs – blackberry, orange spice, lemon zest. This is a whole new dimension of crazy.
Who knew that kugel could be so photogenic? That Josie is one lucky kid! I am super-impressed — and moved — by all of this edible love.
I just made kugel last week. After seeing this, I might have to make it again. I just love the stuff. And your rugelach are GORGEOUS. Have you posted your recipe? I hate the recipes I’ve used in the past. Nothing like a rugelach I could actually pass up!
Funny aside… was going through a cookbook of my grandmother’s, from a shul in Atlanta. This thing is 40 years old. One coffee cake recipe calls for 1/2 cup “bits”. What do you think a “bit” is? And this is typed, so it’s not a translation issue. :O)
The Mad Woman of Larryville– that’s what you are (though I’m sure you’ll pull it off like no one else can!) Looks and sounds amazing and delicious. I wonder if Josie realizes how special her mom is… I’m guessing she probably does.
Not that Josie doesn’t appreciate all this work…but this blog will make for AWESOME “look what I did for you” guilt in the coming years! Rock on Cookin’ Momma!
Jess – welcome. It’s either unfortunate or realistic that you arrived here in the middle of madness. Either way, enjoy.
Lisa: I keep threatening to do a rugelach tutorial and haven’t made good on it yet – after party days are over, will do. In the meantime, try rolling a few with my cream cheese dough, recipe here. Never fails.
Michelle & Jean: yes, crazy and yes, Josie doesn’t really acknowledge this as work – she’s more concerned right now with her hair, her dress, and which boys are attending the party.
I should never read this blog while hungry. It isn’t fair to my stomach.
I can’t wait to see the final spread (and I bet neither can you). All my best to Josie on this big occasion.
I remember my own bas mitzvah, a simple but impersonal affair, refreshments on Friday night after the service, all catered because my mother would never have considered doing what you’re doing. I wish she had, because however imperfect, it would have been much more beautiful to me. I didn’t realize it then, but I realize it now.
OHHHH my. I hadn’t thought ahead yet to the fact that we will be enjoying delectable Marilyn creations at Josie’s bat mitzvah . . . . now I am going to have the delights of anticipation. What an amazing treat it will be to eat your baked-with-love goodies while we celebrate.
That is the World’s Most Beautiful Rugelach. Almost a shame to eat it – but not quite.
I hope you won’t be too exhausted to have fun on the dance floor!