I am a Jew with Latin American background. While I do not observe all kosher laws, one of the things I don’t do is mix meat with dairy. (This also includes poultry with dairy.) It’s a very basic no-no within kosher dietary restrictions. While there are still many questions to ask (Judaism promotes questioning) I just cannot bring myself to do it. A cheeseburger? nope. Creamy cheesy pasta with chicken? eww.
I know from asking these questions myself, that many of the reasons behind these restrictions can be lengthy and complex. It stems from the written Torah (Exodus 23:19, Exodus 34:26 and Deuteronomy 14:21)
“Thou shalt not seethe a kid in it’s mother’s milk”
“Thou shalt not seethe a kid in it’s mother’s milk”
There are many interpretations of this commandment. Some that I have found:
1. “Archaeologists found that this was a pagan worship practice (Judaism is monotheistic religion)
2. “G-D created the world and every physical thing represents a metaphysical reality. Milk symbolizes life and meat symbolizes death. Life and death don’t mix, milk and meat don’t mix.”
3. I have also heard that “to kill a mother and its offspring at the same time reflects a lack of sensitivity to life that is inexcusable”
For those who do not keep kosher, it really doesn’t make sense. Imagine, no chicken parm? If you never grew up with this restriction, then you really don’t know any other way… but it’s different for me. This is my culture and has become tradition.
While this is a food blog, it is primarily a kosher blog – although I say it is delicious food that “happens to be kosher” because I hope that anyone and everyone can enjoy my recipes..You won’t see a traditional lasagna here bolognese (beef, pork & veal) and cheese. Although my husband would much rather have his traditional lasagna, it won’t happen in our house. (For the record, he liked my grilled vegetable lasagna but we both agreed that it needed more sauce)
So, you can make your meaty & cheesy lasagna..but you can also try this version. It does take a little labor, but for cooking – it’s a labor of love.
-9×13 pan (aluminum is fine)
-Oven ready/No boil lasagna noodles
-Homemade tomato sauce or jarred sauce (I recommend this marinara sauce )
-Ricotta cheese
-Shredded parmesan cheese
-Yellow Squash (sliced on a bias/angle)
-Zucchini (sliced on a bias/angle)
-Eggplant (sliced into thin rounds)
-Red onions (sliced into thin rounds)
-Olive oil
-Fresh cut basil
1.Coat all veggies with olive oil and season with salt & pepper
2.Grill on both sides
3.Layer your pan with sauce/basil/pasta/sauce/basil/veggies/cheese(both)
4.Repeat the layers. I find that it helps to alternate the direction of noodles and veggies. For example, if you lay down your noodles horizontally, place your veggies vertically. Then, alternate. It helps to keep it all together.
5. Make sure that your top layer has a lot of sauce (it will help keep the entire dish moist & delicious) and top with lots of cheese.
6. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 until a fork slides in and out easily when you pierce the noodles. Then, uncover and brown the cheese.
7. Allow it to sit for a little while before you cut your slices so it doesn’t fall apart.
I love the passion that you are putting into each project and each post. I'm impressed that you found the actual number of the commandment in the Torah! Oh yea, and thanks for leaving me some extra grilled veggies to steal while you were cooking!!
Thank you sweetheart! Your support of my passion makes it all that more worthwhile!