BS: Let's talk about Kugel

Subject: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: Melissa
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 07:29 PM

I'm getting ready to prepare/set an oneg and have spent a fair amount of time looking at recipes online..and seeing recipes for various kugels.

I've tried several times to like kugel. Whenever it's set out, I take a bite or two and spend the rest of the meal being fascinated by the idea that people actually seem to enjoy eating the stuff. I've never seen one that didn't smell delicious and they usually look like something I want to eat, but it just doesn't turn out that way for me.
The only kind I've had a chance to try were noodles. Maybe I'd like one that looks like cake instead of casserole..or a savory with potato?


I'd like to hear some happy kugel fans rave about the most delicious kind in the world and I'd really like to know what was in it.

Thanks,
M

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: artbrooks
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 08:11 PM

Well, the only one herself has ever had is luchen (noodle) kugel, and she basically shares your opinion. She says "since I don't make it, the only ones I've ever had are those somebody else has made, and that's ok with me".

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 08:34 PM

Well, if all you got was Bulbes the rest of the week, maybe you wouldn't mind a Kugel on Shabbes....


I spent my "formative years" in a Catholic seminary, and we had German nuns do our cooking. Their Kugels made me glad I wasn't Jewish.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: artbrooks
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 09:01 PM

On the other hand...it's time for honey cake!

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: Melissa
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 09:02 PM

it IS time for honey cake and I'm just about ready for that part!

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: Melissa
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 09:25 PM

Joe,
Did you have any kind other than the startlingly sweet noodle type?

I'm not sure how long I'd have to eat bulbes to be delighted by a kugel..bet it would be a LONG time.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: LadyJean
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 11:31 PM

There is a wonderful story about a woman who discovers the potato kugel she has been cooking is a reincarnated rabbi. It's lovely and funny, and I don't remember who wrote it.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 12:12 AM

Hi, Melissa -
I wouldn't call it startlingly sweet. It was more like the "healthy" cakes my wife bakes without enough sugar. I tend to do my own baking - I prefer to enjoy what i eat.

The Kugels I've had seem like they should be really good, but they aren't. They're sweet, but not sweet enough; cheesy, but with not enough cheese; and the noodles are always disgustingly overcooked.

Does that describe your experience?

I grew up on Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, and i kinda like the stuff. The kugels I've had taste like mac and cheese with not enough salt, not enough sugar, and overcooked until it's mush.

Has anybody here ever had a really good Kugel? The only ones I've had came from institutional kitchens, so I don't think I'm a fair judge.

Come to think of it, Debby McClatchy used to make Kugels for San Francisco's Camp Harmony (and presumably also for the Getaway) - I don't remember liking her Kugels, either. Don't tell her.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: mrdux
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 02:32 AM

melissa --

i grew up on my grandmother's lokschen (noodle) kugel with raisins-- a little sweet, but not oppressively so, but, as an every-friday-night thing, fairly boring. my mother would occasinally make a decent potato kugel, which was sort of like a potato pancake-as-casserole, something like this:

6 med. russet potatoes
1 large onion
2 eggs
1/4 c. flour
4 tbsp. oil
salt and pepper to taste

preheat oven to 350. peel potatoes -- or not -- and grate. somehow using a box grater adds a certain authenticity (not to mention skinned knuckles). squeeze as much of the liquid as you can out of the grated potatoes. grate the onion. beat eggs and add to potatoes and mix in well with all the other ingredients. put it in a greased baking dish (like your basic 9" x 13" pyrex). bake at 350 for about an hour (until brown and crisp). i've found that adding some thyme or sage to the mix hasn't hurt.

simple, not really rave-worthy, but pretty tasty and far from cringe-inducing.

michael

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: Melissa
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 04:22 AM

Michael,
Now that you mention it, food tasted a lot better back in the box grater days. Knuckle shreds must be the difference..

That potato kugel sounds a lot tastier than the hashbrown casserole things people seem so fond of.


Joe,
The ones I've tasted smelled really good (cinnamon) and were pale (sour cream or cream cheese or something) No yellow cheese or noticeable cheese flavor. Sweet with a texture I didn't enjoy.
I've tasted them with overcooked noodle and rubbery noodle. Neither seemed to make the overall experience more enjoyable for me. Sweet seems to be the main flavor as far as I can tell.

LadyJean,
I'd love to read a story about a Kugel that used to be a Rabbi!
Is it one a Rabbi would be likely to know? If so, I'll be sure to ask when I get a chance.
Having it told to me would be delightful.

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 12:52 AM

Michael, now THAT sounds wonderful. Can I go to your house for Shabbes?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: mrdux
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 12:53 PM

joe --

any time you're in the neighborhood.


melissa --

so, what else are you making?

michael

Subject: RE: BS: Let's talk about Kugel
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 05:16 PM

Michael,
Honey cake and probably a raisin challah.
If the kitchen is running smoothly (not a bunch of extra walking/dancing to get around others in there taking space and making messes) I may do a batch of apple pennies.
I imagine I'll skip the kugel. I just can't quite convince myself to make one since I'm apparently just supposed to set out sweets. I'll hold off on that until I can tote a savory (and when that happens, I'll do one like your potato type)

It's a 'bring something if you want to' oneg so there will be a peculiar variety of things for me to set out..and no point in me doing as much baking as I'd like.

I'll do the apple slices/honey and I will take a pomegranate or two in case the Rabbi is interested in adding that to the blessings.