Kugel Anyone?

November 30, 2014

Photo by pixshots/Shutterstock.com What is a kugel (pronounced: koo guhl)? Basically a kugel is the Israeli version of a casserole often served on Shabbat. Traditionally kugels were made with egg noodles or potatoes. Vegetables can be transformed the European way by making them into a tasty kugel. There are even sweet kugels made with fruit or dairy. Included here are several recipes that can help get you started on your first kugel. Use your imagination and whatever you have on hand to come up with your own version!

Apple Kugel

• 1 c. flour
• ¾ c. sugar
• 3 eggs
• ¾ c. oil
• 4 tbsp. orange juice
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 4 apples peeled and sliced
• Cinnamon (to sprinkle on top of apples only)

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Thoroughly combine all of the ingredients except apples. Pour ¾ of the batter into 9” x 12” greased pan. Place apples on top, sprinkle with cinnamon and cover with the remaining batter. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Cauliflower Kugel

• Cauliflower (1 large fresh or 2 lbs. frozen)
• 3 eggs
• 3 tbsp. mayonnaise
• 3 tbsp. onion or mushroom soup powder
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1 tbsp. flour

Cook cauliflower until tender and drain. Mash with a fork. Combine eggs, mayonnaise, soup powder, nutmeg and flour; stir in the cauliflower. Pour mixture into a greased 9” x 12” baking pan. Cover and bake at 350°F (177°C) for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until golden. Broccoli may be substituted for the cauliflower.

Basic Potato Kugel

• 10 potatoes peeled and grated
• 2 onions peeled and grated
• 4–5 eggs
• 1/3 c. oil
• 1 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. pepper

Combine ingredients and pour into greased 9” x 12” baking pan. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 90 minutes until golden in the center and crisp.

Variations:

Even though the traditional potato kugel stands alone, optional ingredients may be added to spice it up, such as chopped parsley, chopped cilantro and garlic. Grated carrots may be blended with the potatoes to add color and flavor.

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