Cuisine-nera In America: Jews, Jus and Joes

It was a first for me as I entered the building of the Jewish Heritage Museum, where a panel discussion about the 'chosen food for the chosen people' was going to be discussed. As soon as I took my seat, the moderator for the event took to the microphone and started what seemed like a very educational afternoon.

I previously met Jennifer Lee, the author of “Fortune Cookies”, several months ago at another discussion regarding the origins of chinese food in New York. Her wit, humor, and extensive travels abroad justified the eloquence of the topic and it was enough to keep the audience glued to the conversation among the speakers.

Donald Siegel, author of “From Lokshen to Lo Mien” , a New Yorker with Orthodox Jewish heritage, gave his own accounts about eating Chinese food. Lokshen is the noodles of the Jews, and Kosher, often observed by Jews, is the term given to those that conform to the hassidic dietary laws which is found in the book of Leviticus.

Jennifer contends there are more chinese restaurants all over America than all the fastfood chains like McDonald's, Wendy's, KFC and Burger King combined. Therefore, it is unavoidable not to be influenced by chinese cuisine. The Jews have many strict dietary restrictions and chinese cuisine is sometimes far from being kosher. But as Dr. Siegel says that if you can't identify the ingredients as used in the food, then it's considered as 'safe trief'. (which the chinese food is notorious for chopping up undistinguishable offals/discards which are considered non-kosher and produce into palatable concoctions) Reminds me of the saying, “what you don't know won't hurt you.” But then again, Dr. Seigel declares that his rabbi doesn't particularly agree with this interpretation.

And speaking about 'chosen people', what does it really mean? Are they 'Chosen' to suffer from enjoying good food like lechon, lobsters and other split hoofed animals or 'chosen' to show what can happen if one abstains from enjoying the good food. LOL! So, what is the chosen food for the chosen people? LO MIEN, say the speakers. But then again it is still a matter of interpretation!

After that event, Staten Island was the next desitination where Mike has made residence temporarily. We chose to have 'a merienda cena' with Mike's new room mate Steve and his partner Dave. Two wonderful souls. Dave, a former master chef of 15 years turned public servant chose not to be a vegetarian for the occassion, preparing our meal of baked potato chunks spiced in fennel seeds and other herbs, tasty fried pork steaks with brown mustard sauce and Steve's sauteed mushroms with 'al dente' veggies . Prior to the main course, we were all enjoying brie which was easily washed down with Portuguese red wine Mike brought for the occasion. Steve's narration about his experiences as a paramedic plus his travels to Honduras was equally entertaining. It was indeed a memorable moment to cherish. Thank God for wonderful souls.

By the end of the day, I was totally relaxed and fulfilled to have spent such a good weekend. And am looking forward to next weekend where another exciting event called the “Chocolate Show” will be happening in New York. In the meantime, back to the grind!