Around the Kosher world
Last week Egypt and Venezuela, this week Hungary and India…Sydney’s Great Synagogue explores the world of Jewish food.
Belahat Lahma and Loobia, La Reina Pepiada and Hallacas – travellers on The Great Synagogue’s “Gourmet Journey” last week were tantalised with the flavours and stories of Egypt and Venezuala.
Ginette Matalon and Monica Brik
David Hilton
Ginette Matalon, who was born in Egypt, and Monica Brik from Venezuela told the 80-strong audience about their memories of food and customs for Shabbat and festivals and something of their differing experiences before migrating to Australia.
Ginette recalled one of her earliest memories as visiting the schochet with a number of live chickens then taking the carcasses home to pluck and use every portion of the bird in different dishes.
Monica recalled her earliest memories as fruit; tropical Venezuela has fruit available all year round and eaten three times a day.
Both women talked about the way the Jewish communities in each place adapting the food of the surrounding culture to Jewish traditions.
The Great’s chazzan, Rev David Hilton, also a noted chef, then demonstrated how these various exotic dishes were prepared and cooked.
And everyone had a chance to taste the result, to great delight and compliments all round.
