Yom Kippur Break Fast Ideas
Breaking the Yom Kippur fast is definitely a special moment. The first meal after fasting is both a physical and symbolic transition back to eating. When choosing the right dish to serve for Yom Kippur, go for foods that are gentle for the stomach while giving you both comfort and nourishment. Here is a whole list of light yet satisfying ideas for meals to break Yom Kippur fast.
Fruit Salad
Fruit salad is a superb choice for breaking the Yom Kippur fast because it is refreshing and easy to digest, which is highly required after not eating or drinking for 25 hours. This is just an example of the salad, but definitely make one with your local, in-season fruit for maximum nutrients.
Hummus and Pita Bread
When you master making hummus at home – you will never ever go back to the store-bought one! However, pita bread is a tad tricky to make from scratch, but it’s so good once you get it right! This combo is flawless!
Blintzes with Sweet Cheese Filling
Blintzes are fantastic for breaking the fast! They are slightly sweet and loaded with tangy cheese. Don’t forget to drizzle some berry compote or jam on top for maximum flavor!
Challah Bread
This is an all-time staple in Jewish cuisine, and for a good reason! It is so aromatic and pillowy soft you don’t need anything to pair it with – even plain challah is perfect. It is best with some butter or honey so you don’t overwhelm its signature flavor.
Honey Cake
Jewish people usually make honey cake for Rosh Hashanah, but it is not rare to serve it for Yom Kippur to symbolize sweetness for the year ahead. It only has a few ingredients, but you can go all out on spices and nuts. Enjoy it with a cup of tea.
Rice Pudding
This is probably the best dessert to break your fast with, as it is mildly sweet but extremely soothing and easy to digest. You can tailor it to your own taste, though, and add some cinnamon, vanilla, dried fruits, nuts…
Chopped Liver
This is definitely a niche recipe that is not for everybody! It is a spread made with liver, onions, hard-boiled eggs, and sometimes chicken fat. If you’re making this one, serve it with crackers, bread, or bell pepper halves.
Spinach and Cheese Borekas
When in doubt, prepare these pastries stuffed with spinach and feta! You can never go wrong with these – they are super crunchy outside, with a juicy, comforting filling.
Baked Salmon
Baked salmon is a classic dinner option, but due to its outstanding nutritional benefits, this is one of the best ingredients to end fast with. It is the best with citruses, garlic, and fresh herbs. I love it with potato salad on the side.
Mushroom Barley Soup
Serving soup after a 25-hour-long fast is the best idea. This fusion is immaculate, as it marries barley, mushrooms, carrots, spinach, celery, and loads of herbs and spices.
Za’atar Pita Chips and Baba Ganoush
Baba ganoush is a dip of all dips made with roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and spices. Of course, you can serve it with regular pita bread, but these za’atar pita chips are fabulous for some crunch!
Smoked Whitefish Salad
Whitefish salad is a staple deli item in Jewish cuisine, so this salad is a logical choice. Fuse smoked whitefish, mayonnaise, mustard, finely diced veggies, and herbs, and serve it over crisped-up rustic bread.
Lokshen Kugel – Noodle Pudding
Lokshen kugel is a beloved dish in many Jewish households. It can be savory or sweet if you add some sugar, raisins, and cinnamon to the regular blend. Martha Stewart’s recipe is a great base, though.
Apricot Chicken
Slow-cooked chicken in apricot preserves is a well-balanced dish, as it has it all: savory, sweet, and spicy components. Serve some rice and steamed broccoli on the side for the whole flavor experience.
Mandelbrot Jewish Cookies
I find myself craving these cookies at the most random times! They are double-baked for a gorgeous, crunchy texture. You can add chocolate chips, almonds, or dried fruit for more flavor.
Dearest Chefs, all of these dishes are out of this world! Thank you for your beautiful recipes!