Recipes of Remembrance: Honoring Holocaust Survivors Through Cuisine

Four recipes that pay homage to Holocaust survivors and their resilience while also incorporating elements of their cultural heritage:

1. Chicken Soup (Jewish Penicillin):

   • Ingredients:
     • Chicken pieces (with bones for flavor)
     • Carrots, peeled and chopped
     • Celery stalks, chopped
     • Onion, chopped
     • Garlic cloves, minced
     • Fresh dill
     • Salt and pepper to taste
     • Egg noodles or matzo balls (optional)
   • Instructions:
     1. In a large pot, combine chicken pieces, chopped carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and a few sprigs of fresh dill.
     2. Add enough water to cover the ingredients and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
     3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1-2 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
     4. Remove the chicken pieces from the pot and shred the meat, discarding the bones and skin.
     5. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and season with salt and pepper to taste.
     6. If desired, add cooked egg noodles or matzo balls to the soup.
     7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh dill. This comforting chicken soup is a staple of Jewish cuisine and symbolizes warmth, nourishment, and healing.

2. Potato Latkes:

   • Ingredients:
     • Potatoes, peeled
     • Onion
     • Eggs
     • Flour or matzo meal
     • Salt and pepper to taste
     • Vegetable oil for frying
   • Instructions:
     1. Grate potatoes and onion using a box grater or food processor.
     2. Place grated potatoes and onion in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture.
     3. Transfer the squeezed potatoes and onion to a mixing bowl. Add beaten eggs, flour or matzo meal, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
     4. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
     5. Drop spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the hot oil and flatten with a spatula to form pancakes.
     6. Fry the latkes until golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
     7. Remove the latkes from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
     8. Serve hot with applesauce and sour cream. These crispy potato pancakes are a traditional Jewish dish often enjoyed during Hanukkah, but they can be enjoyed year-round as a delicious reminder of Jewish culinary heritage.

3. Challah Bread:

   • Ingredients:
     • All-purpose flour
     • Active dry yeast
     • Sugar
     • Salt
     • Eggs
     • Vegetable oil
     • Warm water
     • Poppy seeds or sesame seeds (optional, for topping)
   • Instructions:
     1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
     2. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, vegetable oil, and warm water.
     3. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a dough forms.
     4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.
     5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.
     6. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into three equal portions. Roll each portion into a long rope.
     7. Braid the ropes together to form a loaf and transfer it to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
     8. Cover the loaf with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise again for another 30-60 minutes.
     9. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the risen loaf with beaten egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds, if desired.
     10. Bake the challah bread for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom.
     11. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This traditional Jewish bread is often enjoyed on Sabbath and holidays, symbolizing unity and community.

4. Holocaust Survivor’s Remembrance Cake:

   • Ingredients:
     • Chocolate cake mix or your favorite chocolate cake recipe
     • Chocolate frosting
     • Edible gold leaf or gold sprinkles
   • Instructions:
     1. Prepare chocolate cake batter according to package instructions or your favorite recipe.
     2. Bake the cake in a rectangular or round cake pan and let it cool completely.
     3. Once the cake is cooled, frost it with chocolate frosting, covering the top and sides evenly.
     4. Carefully apply edible gold leaf or sprinkle gold sprinkles on top of the frosted cake to create the Star of David symbol or other meaningful designs.
     5. Serve the cake as a symbol of remembrance and resilience, honoring the strength and survival of Holocaust survivors.