Post Thanksgiving

As the run-up to the holiday heated up, I could not find any time to post.  The good news is that this years event was very good.  We learn from each year and tune our efforts.  This year, we have about 350 people.  The event ran from 6pm to 9:30pm and was by invitation only.

This Thanksgiving marks 22 years of marriage for me and my (first and only) wife.  We were married at Taylor Road Synagogue in Cleveland, OH on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 27th, 1986.  Since then, we have hosted a Thanksgiving day dinner each year.  Not only do we give general thanks to God for what we have, but we also take a moment to give thanks for our marriage and our six wonderful boys.

In the past years, we have always run out of what we call "Sweet Chili".  It a recipe that my wife brought from the old country (USA), and that we have adjusted and made our own.  Usually, we eyeball the recipe until its "right".  This year, we turned it into an industrial effort with more than 20 Kg of ground beef (about 45 pounds), and associated additions.  In the interest of preserving the recipe for future years, I hearby present:

Sweet Chili 
Elliot and Leiah Jaffe, Caryn Gale
4Kg browned ground beef
4 cups of sautéed vegetables (Onions and Pepper)
5 cups of baked beans (we use assorted types, Israeli Mexican Chili beans, American Baked Beans and Black Beans).
1.5 cups of crushed tomatoes
1 Kg of catchup
3 cups of brown sugar
1/2 cup BBQ sauce (for the smoke flavor)
2 tsp crushed red pepper
1/2 cup tomato paste
1.5 Tbsp chili powder
2 Tbsp salt
1/4 cup water (as needed)
1 Tbsp crushed garlic
3 Tbsp sweet paprika

Mix the ingredients on a large pot and simmer for two hours.  It should not be too soupy.

Comments

SuperRaizy said…
Congratulations on your anniversary!
350 people? Doesn't it cost an awful lot of money to cook for 350 people?
November 29, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Elliot Jaffe said…
The cost is not insignificant. To partially defer the cost, we make only the meat (and stuffings). The rest of the food and drink is brought by the guests. The event is part of our contribution to the community.
November 30, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Barbara said…
Having attended lots of the Jaffe's Thanksgiving/Anniversary Parties,
I can say that they are just great! People bring yummy food items-salads, kugels, desserts- and we enjoy the meat items that Elliot and Leiah prepare. We also get a chance to talk to all our friends and neighbors without the structure of a bar/bat mitzva or sheva brachot. we all look forward to Thanksgiving, thanks to the Jaffes.
November 30, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tas Kebab - Turkish Beef Stew

One of our "standards" is a beef and rice dish called Tas Kebab.  I've been asked for the recipe many times.   This is comfort food that anyone can love.   Its great right out of the oven, but its also good reheated the next day (on a hotplate for Shabbat Lunch!).  There are no liquids, so its good for anyone who reheats.

1 Kg beef, cut into bite size pieces Oil for frying 1 to 2 large onions, chopped 3 red bell peppers, chopped 1 large can crushed tomatoes 1.5 tsp salt 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1 cup water or bullion 1 cup rice chopped parsley (optional)
The quantities can be adjusted.  Sometimes I make it with 3 onions and no peppers, or with one onion and three peppers.   A lot depends on how coarsely you chop the onions.  The intention is to make them visible and not just a seasoning.
In a large covered pot, add the oil and saute the onions and peppers until they are soft.  Add the tomatoes and spices.  Since you are using canned crushed tomatoes, the liquid from th…
Read more

A change of pace (Kidney Failure)

I have been trying to keep this blog focused on hospitality and food.  God though has other plans for his creations and I find now that I will have to expand the scope to cover new topics.  I'll try to continue blogging about my menus and our guests, but expect more posts that have little or nothing to do with food.
In February of this year, My second oldest son, Asaf was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure. Simply put, both his kidneys are damaged and scarred from some infection or defect that happened years ago.  They will likely cease to function sometime within the next six months.
The good news is that there is no immediate danger to his life.  Kidney Dialysis is a viable option and can maintain his health for up to ten or more years if necessary.  Unfortunately, the process is not easy and there are potential side effects. Given Asaf's generally excellent health and age, Kidney Dialysis is considered only a stop-gap measure and not a long term solution.

The best solution …
Read more

Shabbat Chicken

Shabbat Chicken A recipe adapted from the New Kosher Cuisine For all Seasons cookbook by Linda Jacob.
2 Tbsp oil 1 onion sliced thinly 2 whole cloves 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt t tsp tumeric 1 tsp fresh ginger 1 tsp minced garlic 1 chicken cut up and skinned
Saute the onion until it begins to brown.  Add the everything except the chicken and saute for a minute.  Add the chicken and brown lightly.  Reduce heat to low and cover for 30 minutes.  Transfer from the fire to the hot plate for shabbat.  This makes a wonderful sauce (I have no idea where it comes from since there are no liquid ingredients).
Read more