No sooner had the word hit the street that, arguably, the doyenne of modern Kosher cooking, Susie Fishbein, was coming to Northeastern Pennsylvania, than the first reservation was made! And they kept on coming…until we had to turn people away!
As was mentioned by so many excited participants, “if you’ve ever eaten in my house, then you’ve tasted Susie Fishbein’s zucchini soup.” “If you’ve had my turkey roast, the recipe is from Susie Fishbein’s Kosher Palette cookbook.”
Men and women came to watch Susie ply her craft and learn tips and tricks. Her menu was pleasing to the eye and the palate and the Federation set up the Linder Room in Scranton’s JCC for perfect viewing. Chaya Freilach, Rivka Edelson and Malka Gutman volunteered to prepare the room for the event and, indeed, the room was welcoming.
Starting with a lesson on Kosher cuisine in various countries that Susie has visited and conducted culinary tours, Susie led off with a delicious white bean humus served in a martini glass with a steeped tomato topping and vegetable cigar garnish. Susie taught the A-B-Cs of homemade humus; she brought the ingredients and equipment with her. Susie also had prepared perfect sized samples for each person to taste to rave reviews. There was an audible gasp upon seeing the exquisite presentation of this humble dish.
The main course was an homage to the dates grown in Israel with silan glazed salmon over a date and chickpea salad. The salmon portions were perfectly cooked and the portion for each audience member was very generous.
Finally, in honor of Chanukah and the tradition of fried foods, Susie prepared fresh beignets which were deep fried in front of the audience by Shanie Davidson-Dunn who assisted Susie throughout. Each participant received a hot beignet in a small bakery bag with confectioner’s sugar for them to shake and dust the pastry.
Susie’s many cookbooks were for sale with some of the proceeds benefitting the Federation and one was even raffled off. Congratulations Mrs. Chaya Zamir of Scranton who won the chance to choose a cookbook a gift from the Federation.
Susie emailed the actual recipes to all who participated. And someone mentioned trying to get together again for a tasting of recipes people tried in the Susie Fishbein cookbooks they purchased.
The Jewish Federation is happy to usher in Chanukah with this wonderful program and thanks everyone who participated and enjoyed.
