After every holiday, but especially the 3 day ones (which will be repeating in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017), I take notes about what went right and what didn’t. This goes right in with my other notes and plans for the holiday, along with any relevant shailas or other things I might want in the years to come.
Here’s what worked (and didn’t) for me for 2011/5772.
- Worked: Dairy lunch on Friday–smack in the middle of the long meaty days. We had guests (I called and checked when we added them, but they were excited about dairy). Salad with feta and spinach, lasagna, bagels, and cinnabons. Yum! For any other three day Yom Tovs (like the two coming up!), we’ll definitely work in another dairy meal.
- Worked: cooking a pot of beans on my slowcooker over Shabbat. I left the crockpot on with a timer, but didn’t have anything to cook for Shabbat (and didn’t want to leave it empty), so I made a pot of beans. I seasoned them and we had some for lunch. Yum.
- Worked: Leek patties. More requests for these for the future, even when it’s not Rosh Hashanah.
- Didn’t work: I carefully checked and wrote my shopping list, but I forgot about dressing on the salad. I didn’t write it down, so I didn’t check it, and I didn’t buy it. So write condiments in my menu for the future.
- Worked: I made a spur of the moment homemade dressing that was delicious!
- Didn’t work: finding lamb stew meat. Despite visiting stores several times, and calling several other times, I couldn’t get any lamb stew meat. Which makes it tough to make lamb stew. Call ahead or buy early for the future!
- Worked: Made Fantastic shredded BBQ beef instead. Raves all around, guests requested recipe. As usual. Good stuff.
- Worked: challah made with 5lb bag of flour. Perfect amount, just a small roll leftover (my family plus total of 12 guests). Plus I got to make the bracha on taking challah!
How about you?
