Does it feel like the High Holidays snuck up on you this year? You’re not alone. No, seriously, you’re not. Apparently the High Holidays are earlier than 92% of the possible times that they can possibly fall on the calendar. The next time they’ll come this early is in 2032!
It if makes you feel better, next year the High Holidays are coming “late.” But for now, here are some wildly clever hacks to save yourself a lot of time and preparation.
The easiest way to open a pomegranate
We all know pomegranate’s can be messy and tricky to open. Save time and your white countertops with this clever trick.
Embrace the hybrid (both virtual and in-person) high holiday model
Create a DIY booklet to use at your home seder, embrace a new tashlich ritual, or make your service-viewing space as cozy as can be. We’ve got a bunch more tips on hybrid high holidays, here!
Snag affordable and adorable Sukkah decor from Amazon Prime
Making your own Sukkah decor can be so fun. Buying it from a local shop always works too. But for those who are tight on time this year, being able to get everything you need quickly and easily can be a lifesaver. Check out these cute Sukkah decor picks that can all be found on Prime!
Freeze your honey for a fresh take on the traditional
Hear me out on this one. I know, usually we think of honey as a warm comfort flavor. Except this summer, one Tik Tok user decided to challenge traditional uses for honey. Davey RZ froze honey in a bottle and ate it like a popsicle… and he went very, very viral. Videos under the hashtag #FrozenHoney garnered over 1.3 billion views.
All this got me thinking: since Rosh Hashanah is just a stone throw away from August this year, odds are it’s still pretty hot where you’ll be celebrating. Why not add a little spice to your Rosh Hashanah seder with this refreshing take on the honey siman (symbol).
Make at least one meal simple
Take some stress off your plate and plan to make at least one meal simple. Liz Rueven, blogger at kosherlikeme.com, offers this one pan chicken recipe as an easy, do-ahead crowd pleaser for Rosh Hashanah. Season it all in the cooking pan with fresh garlic, olive tapenade (yes, store bought), dried cherries and white wine. Add a festive and symbolic touch with pomegranate arils and you’ll be set.
Find more Rosh Hashanah recipes and ideas on her blog under the holiday heading. You may follow her @kosherlikeme on instagram for more seasonal inspiration.
Knock hours off your prep with this simple box-mix honey cake
Honey cake from a box? Say no more. This one is a serious game changer.
1 box Duncan Hines Spice Cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup water or cooled brewed coffee
1/3 cup oil
3/4 cup Gefen Honey
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix the ingredients together in the bowl of a mixer or by hand, until everything is incorporated.
3. Spray a Bundt pan well with cooking spray and immediately transfer the batter to the pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean.
4. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes, then loosen the edges with a knife. Invert onto a large plate or cake dome.
5. Cool completely before icing (see below).
Apple Cider Icing Recipe:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon melted margarine
1 and 1/2 to 3 tablespoons apple cider or apple juice
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
Directions:
Combine all the icing ingredients in a bowl. Start by adding in one and a half tablespoons of cider or juice and add up to three tablespoons as needed. Pour over the cooled cake.
Originally Published Sep 1, 2021 12:02AM EDT
