New Saturn menorah and Dreidel Set

To quote an architect’s reaction about my new design; 
“Dreidels and Menorahs, they go together like bagel and lox.”

I used my signature theme of Saturn’s ring and created a Saturn menorah that you can use by itself or combine it with any of my four dreidel designs. I designed a transparent base to showcase the pieces together so that the dreidel magically looks like it is floating inside the menorah. I think it gives a fresh new look to my dreidels, which are one of my favorite designs. 

The magnetic candle holders can be moved so the menorah has a different look every night. 

See the design on my website http://www.lauracowan.com/jewish-gifts/menorah-dreidel-set.html

Best wishes for a bright and light Hannukah,

Laura

P.S. Want to hang out with me on Facebook? Like my page www.facebook.com/ModernJewishGifts

Saturn Menorah with Turquiose Dreidel

Saturn Menorah with Smart Dreidel

Steel Dreidel

Smart Dreidel

Lazy salad

Now you've got your pomegranate seeds, make my favorite lazy salad, that has very short prep time. 
Just throw in bowl;
1. Bought ready washed lettuce leaves. 
2. Bought ready grated carrot. 
3. Chopped avocado. 
4. Pomegranate seeds. 
5. Pine nuts ( lightly toast them in a dry saucepan first) 
6. Any slightly sweet dressing, I like balsamic vinegar and honey.

How to remove the seeds from a pomegranate

How to get the seeds out of a pomegranate without staining your hands, clothes and  the whole kitchen?


First cut a very thin slice off the top of the pomegranate, thin enough that you do not cut the seeds. Using a spoon, remove a little of the center core.  Score 4 thin vertical lines around the pomegranate with a knife. 

Place the whole fruit in a large bowl of cold water. Put your thumbs in the center and gently pull apart the sections. Peel away some of the white skin. Now continue removing the white skin and pulling part small sections until all the seeds are free. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl and any white skin will float to the to of the bowl. With the sieve, remove the skin floating on top. Then pour the water and the seeds through the sieve, and there you have it. 

Jewish Mom in Denial

After 6 years of denial I have come to the realization that I am not just Laura Cowan, innovative contemporary designer, a determined Judaica artist who doesn't care what people think and always says what she means.

I am, in fact Laura Cowan Jewish Mom.

I'm a stressed out, over stretched, sleep deprived school run mom just like millions of others.

I have a dream that by the time my youngest is in school (I have three kids, 6, 3 and 1), I'll have more time for gallery openings and undisturbed designing and less preoccupied with how to occupy three little ones while I get the dinner on, supervise homework and make play dough monsters. 


Wonder if there's any future in Judaica made from play dough monsters?  Perhaps for the 10 plagues of Passover or the bad guys at Purim. Hmm....

Ashkenazi alert!

Yes, the only people that would think of making a jam out of a beetroot. One spoon of this sends me right back to my childhood.
My Grandma’s jam was legendary, and she used to make jars and jars. I would have thick layers of it on matza for breakfast and eat it out of the jar when no one was looking. If you haven’t tasted it before I can imagine your hesitation, but it’s amazing. Cinnamon, lemon and ginger give it this fantastic sweet and spicy kick. The secret is to slow cook it until all the redness is gone, and it becomes brown and sweet.
Here’s the recipe, courtesy of Jewish cooking heroine Evelyn Rose. You need to start the preparations a day in advance. Yes, it’s time consuming. And it stains your hands. And your clothes. It’s a labor of love.

Eingemachts
2.25 kg (5 lb) uncooked beetroot (beets)
1.8 kg (4 lb/9 cups) granulated sugar
3 large lemons, peeled and segmented like an orange
175 g (6oz/1.5 cups) split almonds (traditional, but I leave them out)
3- 4 tbsp ground ginger (I add loads more, but I like it SPICY!)
2 tsp cinnamon

This makes 7 jars; I usually halve the amount, because unfortunately my kids just don’t understand this delicacy!

1. Boil the uncooked beetroot in water to cover for 1 hours, then cool and skin.
2. Cut the cooked beetroot into 1 cm (3/8 inch) wide and 2.5 cm (1-2 inch) long, or use the julienne cutter on a food processor)
3. Put into a large bowl with the sugar. Mix well and leave overnight.
4. Next day, put the sugar/beetroot mixture into a very large, heavy pan, together with the lemon segments
5. Bring to the boil, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Then leave to bubble over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for at least 3 hours, until the mixture loses the redness and the beetroot becomes translucent and starts to turn brown.
6. Finally add the almonds and the ginger. Taste and add more ginger if you like.
7. Bubble for another 15 minutes
8. Sterilize 7 jam jars. The easiest way to do this is to run them through the dishwasher on the highest setting.
9. Fill with the jam and screw on the lids

Let me know how you got on!

How is this Seder different from all other Seders?

When I grew up we had a very traditional Seder night. It was the highlight of the year for my Grandpa and he read and sung every word of the Hagada with such intensity and vibrancy, that I’ve been looking for a Seder like it ever since then. Every year my Grandma used to say with a smile on her face, “David, not so loud, you’ll disturb the neighbours”. He also led a Seder night in the barracks during his service in the Second World War. I wish he could have seen my Pesach Seder Plates too.

I’m hosting this year so I asked around to find out how I can make it more interesting for my children. Roni, my creative and talented assistant told me that the highlight of their Seder is the 10 Plagues. Rather than just read them out and dip the finger in the wine, they actually recreate each one.

For example for Dam (blood) the kids squeeze ketchup on their plates, for Barad (hail) Roni throws hundreds of polystyrene balls up in the air. And, my favourite, for Hoshech (darkness) she turns all the lights off and gives all the children stick lights!

I am going to adopt those traditions this year. Not sure what my Grandpa would make of it...If you have any interesting old or new traditions I'd love it hear about them, please comment in the box below.

Wishing you a great holiday whether you celebrate in a traditional or non-traditional manner.

Laura

Laura Cowan Group Buy Coupon!

Shalom,

I don't know about you but in the studio we are always checking out the group buy coupons that arrive in our inbox every morning.

So we have decided to offer our own Laura Cowan Group Buy Coupon!

Spend just $50 for $110 worth of Laura Cowan Judaica

Use it to buy my Moon Seder Plate in time for Pesach, or perhaps you have a wedding coming up this summer.

How to buy - just click on this link Laura Cowan Group Buy Coupon and follow the instructions!

Here's the small print;
1. One week to buy (ends April 7th 2011)
2. Coupon expires July 31st 2011
3. We need a minimum of 20 participants to make this offer happen - so dont forget to tell your friends!
4. Limit of 1 coupon per customer
5. Your coupon will be sent to you by email and regular mail

Let your friends know so we can get the full 20 participants to make this offer happen!

Hag Sameach,

Laura