Arts Life in online Food ) AT Digest STAY AWAY from page 139 Selected news and feature stories from the Detroit Jewish News. vvvvw.detroitjewishnews.com/news because her family and friends return year after year. Of course, smoked fish is the quintessential highlight of break-fast menus. Because lox and its kin — sable, whitefish and sturgeon — are oily and rich, Bonci recommends partaking in limited amounts. Even though these delicacies are luscious, remember they are available any time and you don't have to gobble a year's supply at once. While some nutrition experts advise against partaking in salt after fasting, Bonci claims that a sudden jolt of salt from smoked fish does not wreak havoc with bodily func- tions after a short fast of only one day. "Salt may actually be advisable because it encourages people to drink more liquids, which will help replace fluids lost during the hours they abstained from food and drink." Suffering pounding headaches from caffeine withdrawal, many people break the fast with coffee, but coffee on an empty stomach is not advisable because it lowers blood sugar and increases hunger pangs. "You eat more than you want to after drinking coffee," says Bonci. She admits that her family's habit of sipping bloody marys and screw- drivers is not any better. "Alcohol stimulates the appetite and causes people to lose their resolve, resulting in overindul- gence." Orange juice is another popular way to break the fast, but it is high in calories, quite sweet and not especially filling. Water and tea are the healthiest beverages to consume after fasting. If juice is a must, Bonci recom- mends cutting it with seltzer. Better still, place seltzer in attractive glasses with slices of lemon or lime. The array of beverages and succulent dishes with their tantalizing aromas are incredibly compelling when you're hungry enough to gorge on everything in the refrigerator. No wonder it is challenging to make wise choices. "Pacing yourself is -key," says Bonci, suggesting that you decide in advance how much you plan to con- sume — and to remember how uncomfortable you've felt in the past after stuffing yourself to the gills. No matter how tempting, food doesn't taste any better in super- sized portions, nor are they benefi- cial for either body or soul. Yom Kippur is a solemn holiday that addresses serious themes. It demands looking inside and assess- ing your flaws. Your response to fasting, an act of contrition to cleanse your sins, should not be to pander to impulses the second the sun sets and the Gates of Repentance close. After all, gluttony is one of the sins for which you've asked God's forgiveness several times during the 25 hours of atonement. No doubt, breaking the fast is a conflicting experience. It's a communal meal that celebrates life and the pleasure of eating, but also a time to share warm feelings with loved ones with- out bloating yourself with food. 1 bag baby spinach leaves, rinsed and dried in paper towels 1 15 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained 1/2 cup dried cherries 1/2 cup cashew pieces Place ingredients in a bowl and, right before serving, toss with citrus vinaigrette (below). Yield: 8 serv- ings. diced salt to taste 10 carrots, peeled and diced non-stick spray 4 jumbo eggs, beaten 2 (14 3/4-oz.) cans cream-style corn 2 T. flour 1/2 t. nutmeg 1 cup breadcrumbs 4 T. butter, melted In a large skillet, heat oil on medium flame. Sprinkle onions with salt and saute in oil until light brown. Reserve. Meanwhile, steam carrots for about 8 minutes, until softened, but not mushy. Preheat oven to 350F. Coat 13x9- inch ovenproof casserole with non- stick spray. In a large bowl, gently mix together onions, carrots, eggs, corn, flour and nutmeg. Pour into casserole. Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over carrot-corn mixture. Drizzle butter over breadcrumbs. Bake for 50 minutes, or until kugel is light brown on top, firm to the touch and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Wait 15 minutes, cut into squares and serve. Recipe can be made in advance and reheated. Yield: 28 squares. CITRUS VINAIGRETTE FALL FRUIT- CRISP COLORFUL SPINACH SALAD juice of 1 1/2 lemons 1/4 cup orange juice salt to taste 1/8 cup olive oil 1/2 t. garlic powder Place ingredients in a small bowl and whisk. ZESTY EGG BAKE non-stick vegetable spray 3/4 cup salsa 9 eggs salt and pepper to taste dash of Tabasco small jar of chilies (or less if too spicy) 1/2 cup light cheddar Coat 13x9-inch oven-proof casse- role with non-stick spray. Preheat oven to 350F. Spread salsa evenly on bottom of casserole. Beat eggs with 1/4 cup water, salt and pepper, Tabasco and chilies. Pour over salsa. Grate cheese over egg mixture. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until top turns golden brown and knife inserted into center comes out clean. Yield: 12 servings. CORN AND CARROT KUGEL 3 T. olive oil 1 large Vidalia onion, peeled and 4 T. butter 1 (16 oz.) can whole berry cranber- ry sauce 3/4 cup dark brown sugar non-stick spray 6 pears 4 green apples 10 plums 3 T. lemon juice 1 T. flour 2 T. white sugar 1 1/4 cups blanched slivered almonds In a small saucepan, heat first three ingredients on a low flame, stirring occasionally until butter melts. Reserve. Preheat oven to 300E Coat a 13x9-inch ovenproof pan with non- stick spray. Core or pit pears, apples and plums. Skin, slice and place in a large bowl. Gently mix in lemon juice, flour and white sugar. Pour into ovenproof pan. Cover evenly with cranberry mixture. Sprinkle almonds on top. Bake for 75 minutes. Compote will be bubbling with a liquid consistency. Cool for 30 minutes before serving (consistency will gel). Can be pre- pared in advance and reheated. Yield: 16 servings. ❑ ) Back In Time Look for Alexis P Rubin's "This Month in Jewish History" for September. wwvv.detroitjevvishnews.com ) What's Eating Harry Kirsbaum? wwvv.detroitjevvishnews.com/opinion jewish corn ) Tel ,A,ViV Diarist Martin Peretz discusses the "Impossible Routine" and why Israelis will never grow accustomed to suicide bombings. Read this and more articles of interest on www.jewish.com ) The Dance of the Discount Brian Blum recounts Shabbat in Prague and the quest for a reasonably priced Friday night dinner in "This Normal Life," his regular column on www.jewish.com I — — 1 .1 11 I. „ . ‘,4 MOVC 4 • online www.detroitjewishnews.com/advertisers GIFTS DetailsArt.com www.detailsart.com PARTIES Patti's Parties ... www.pattisparties.invitations.com For online advertising, call 248-354-6060 9/26 2003 141