Shavuot celebrates the harvest season in Israel and the anniversary of the giving of the Ten Commandments (or the Torah) to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. The word Shavuot translates to "weeks" Shavuot comes 49 days (7 weeks) after Passover ends. So like all Jewish holidays, the big question is "What do we eat!?" The answer is dairy is the customary focus for Shavuot recipes.
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There are a few reasons why we eat mainly stick to dairy. But listen up if you're lactose intolerant. It's not a religious requirement. It's simply a custom and if you can't, it's ok. But back to the "why dairy?" question.
One reason is that when the Israelites made their exit (aka Exodus) from Egyptian slavery into the Promised Land, the Torah said "From the misery of Egypt to a country flowing with milk and honey..." (Exodus 3:8-17). So milk, and sometimes honey, became the customary food.
Shavuot is also called the "Festival of the Giving of Torah." When the Israelites received the Torah or Old Testament from God, that's when all the rules of keeping kosher began. And the main rule is the separation of milk and meat. So dairy became the chosen meal for Shavuot.
Many of these dairy recipes work deliciously as appetizers, brunch, side dishes, or main dishes.
1. Classic Cheesecake
This is as "Shavuot" as you can get. Top with blueberries or strawberries or nothing at all. Take your time making this cheesecake. Practice makes perfect as far as no ugly cracks in the dense cheese.
2. Cream Cheese Noodle Kugel (aka casserole)
This kugel recipe saves a step since the noodles aren't pre-cooked. The noodles cook in the milk and cheese mixture. There's a sweet topping of crushed cornflakes, brown sugar, and cinnamon that really makes this a standout kugel.
3. Feta, Arugula & Watermelon Salad
Sweet, salty, crunchy and delicious. This salad is a perfect palate cleanser between all that cheesy goodness of your Shavuot gathering.
4. HONEY GOAT CHEESE BALLS
These are made in your air fryer! And with only 5 ingredients! Plus you are honoring the true tradition of Shavuot by using milk AND honey for this easy appetizer recipe.
5. Three Cheese Meatless Lasagna
Using parmesan, ricotta and mozzarella cheese, you are the the lasagna queen of Shavuot when you make this recipe. You can even go one step further and make it gluten-free by using cauliflower noodles.
6. Berry and Chocolate Crepes
Make your life easier by making the crepes a few days before Shavuot. Then fill them right before serving and look like a superstar!
7. Sweet Potatoes with Herbed Ricotta and Wildflower Honey
Prepare to win Shavuot FOREVER. There's cheese and honey. And you eat this handheld appetizer on a circular slice of sweet potato! What?!
8. Sweet Cheese Bourekas (Like Blintzes)
The dough for bourekas is made from puff pastry or layers of phyllo dough. They can be sweet or savory. And people in the Middle East get excited at the sight of bourekas the way we get excited when the mini hot dogs come around at a wedding. Try mascarpone cheese as the filling for these puff pastries.
9. Make This Noodle Kugel
Cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, vanilla, and so much butterrrrrrr. This recipe gives three different versions of this kugel. There's full guilt, less guilt, and even less guilt. You can't get more Jewish than that. PS...go full guilt.
10. Pesto Macaroni and Cheese
Parmesan, cheddar, heavy cream, and whole milk. Oh yeah, you got the dairy thing covered with this delicious recipe perfect for Shavuot.
11. Pistachio Cheesecake
There's one cup of ground pistachios baked right into this cheesecake. If you want to make the green tint greener, go ahead and add some food coloring.
12. Puff Pastry Smoked Salmon And Goat Cheese Quiche
In a perfect world, I would eat smoked salmon every single day. Twice a day. This is an easy to assemble recipe and so pretty with that sprinkling of dill.
13. Zucchini Falafels with Yogurt Tahini Sauce
Middle eastern food like falafel (YUM) just fits at any Jewish holiday. While yogurt is the only dairy in this recipe, just relax and eat this classic Israeli street food and feel the history of the holiday.
14. Challah Bread French Toast
Buy an extra Challah on Shabbat so you can make this recipe for sure. Honey, vanilla, and cinnamon with a perfectly crispy outside and airy inside. Nothing else tastes like challah french toast. I dare say, it's a perfect food.
Watch: New Study Finds People That Eat Cheese Live Longer
