RFCJ RECIPE ARCHIVE
Posted by : Karen Selwyn Pudding, Date and Nut #3, Creamy - dairy
Dates are associated with Rosh Hashanah in the Sephardic tradition. At the beginning of the Rosh Hashanah meal, Sephardi have a ceremony called "Yehi Ratsones," the "May it be Your Will" ceremony which recites special blessings over symbolic foods. Because the word for date in Hebrew is "tamar" which is close in spelling to the word "tamah" (causing wonder or amazement), dates are included in the "May it be Your Will" ceremony. Dates are associated with Sukkot because the branch of the date palm (lulav) is one of the four species with ritual associations in the sukkah. Finally, dates have a connection with Hanukkah because the Maccabees used the date as a symbol of their military success. Karen Selwyn * * * * * * * 2 cups cold water 2/3 cup instant non-fat dry milk powder 1 large egg generous 1/2 cup pitted dates, cut in half 2 tablespoons honey 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts Put all the ingredients, except the walnuts, into a food process fitted with a steel blade. Process until the dates are finely chopped. Pour the mixture into a 2 1/2-quart saucepan. Cook the pudding, stirring constantly, over medium heat until the mixture thickens and just comes to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the mixture into individual bowls. Sprinkle the walnuts on top. Allow the puddings to cool slightly at room temperature, then refrigerate. Serve chilled. Source: JEWISH HOLIDAY COOKBOOK Gloria Greene
