To be a good host, it is important to be sensitive about the dietary restrictions of your guests and to serve them food that they can eat safely.
This means that if you will have Jewish visitors soon, it is recommended to take the time to research and learn about their kosher food habits.
After all, nothing shows more care and warmth for your guests at the dining table than making sure they are comforted by the food you serve them.
Serving and preparing kosher meals begins with buying certified foods and then serving them with acute respect for all the kosher laws. If you have no idea about what groceries you should buy, it is best to check with your guests.
They will definitely appreciate the fact that you are trying to make sure they are comfortable and at ease in your house. Aside from this, you will get more insights into the rules that this particular community follows.
Now that you are preparing to cook a kosher meal, let’s get started by understanding the basic kosher terms and rules.
Milchig or Dairy Products
Dairy products include milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter. These should be sourced from kosher animals and then processed in a facility that adheres to kosher norms.
Fleishig or Meat Products
Kosher meats are those sourced from animals that chew their cud and have split hooves. Cows, goats, sheep, chickens, and poultry are kosher. However, they should be slaughtered and processed while observing and adhering to kosher laws.
Pareve Foods
The Jewish customs dictate that it is not allowed to eat meat and dairy products together in just one meal. However, you can still combine Pareve foods with meat and dairy. These include eggs, fish, and all types of plant-based foods.
Trief Foods
Foods such as pork, shellfish, and other foods sourced from pigs are not allowed. Don’t forget to check food labels for any ingredients with a mix of meat and dairy products. That would be considered non-kosher.
Shopping for Kosher Foods
When browsing the supermarket aisles, it is safe to assume that aside from seafood and meat, more than 80% of the food is certified kosher safe. Inspect and read the labels on the packaging for symbols of Kosher certification agencies or hechshers indicating the safety of the product, such as Star-K Kosher Certification, Triangle K Kosher Certification, and Kof K Kosher Certification.
It is also recommended to pick foods that can be served cold with no need to cook them first. These include deli meat, bread, cheese, baked items, fruits, and crackers. Raw nuts are also often accepted as kosher safe or kashrut.
Salads such as Persian cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, and many vegetables are kosher as well. However, you would want to stay away from farm produce that is susceptible to insect infestation. Coffee and tea are kosher, as well as fruit juices, so these can be served safely.
To be completely sure that the food you are serving follows the dietary restrictions of your guests, it might be best to order a couple of kosher gift baskets that you can serve.
Visit https://getbakkal.com/kosher-market-san-francisco/ where you can shop for the kosher products you need to prepare kosher meals for your kosher guests.
