Mar 15, 2007

"STRETCH OUT AND WAIT"

Well, yesterday was festive. I usually delete rude comments but decided to publish one and it was the comment that launched a slew of others. Thanks to everyone who commented productively. It's all over now.

Now, I want to tell you a story. I had many different dayjobs before. I was an admin, I did retail, I was a housekeeper, a housepainter, a carptenter (Don't let the lipstick and manicure fool you. I know what the fuck is what when it comes to tools and building), a seamstress, a stagehand, a receptionist, a research assistant, and a waitress. But, being the daughter of a man in the hotel-restaurant industry, and having grown up hanging around his offices and kitchens, the same industry provided me with plenty of jobs for a while, too, both in front and back of the house, even once I lived miles and miles away from my parents. Point being, we all have a few things we know we can do well and I can run a tight ship when it comes to throwing a party. And, that's just what I am about to do.

Leah is becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Well, I guess technically, she is already a Bat Mitzvah, since she is a Jewish adult, but this is the ceremony. You know what I mean. (In my own way, I'm perhaps too anal about halacha-- Jewish law and its technicalities.) Anyway. Homegirl, after much hard work and dedication, is getting her Torah chant on and I'm cooking up the grub.

So, everything is pretty much set. It's being held in a (very beautiful) private home. The menu is set. The wine is purchased. I have a few extra sets of hands to help with the cooking and prep. I have pulled out my table linens and serving platters and found beautiful glasses and dishes. No stress. No drama. Just a nice time. (It is a celebration, after all.) And, last night, I went to get the groceries with the owner of said very beautiful private home. You see, the Bat Mitzvah keeps Biblical kosher with separation of meat and dairy, I keep and cook Rabbinic kosher vegetarian and the hostesss keeps wheat and gluten-free. (Note: I was going to give you guys a link to a discussion about the difference between Biblical kosher and Rabbinic kosher but everything explanatory seemed either Jews for Jesus-based or way, way insidery/confusing. Eh. Let it go for now.) Anyway, let me tell you, the hostess is on top of her game in the wheat and gluten-free world. She goes to conferences, she special orders prepared baking mixes, she hunts down the finest and tastiest wheat and gluten-free foods and is healthy as can be and doesn't deprive herself one bit. Love that. So righteous, if you ask me.

And, although it seemed rather daunting at first, I'm enjoying the challenge of making a fancy, extravagant, delicious buffet that is kosher (dairy) and wheat/gluten-free. Well, everything except for her cake. The cake will be kosher and vegetarian but not wheat or gluten-free. The cake is a little thing I'm reaching into my bag of tricks for. But, it will be surrounded by wheat and gluten-free cupcakes. And chocolate-dipped strawberries.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

We are all so lucky to know such a multitalented lady by yourself!
It is going to be a wonderful time. And let me know if you need some champagne for toasting the Bat Mitzvah, I have a full bottle of Cook's just sitting here in my house!

Katie Schwartz said...

mazel tov to leah. that is one hell of a thrilling challenge. take oodles of pickys.

Johnny Yen said...

That is very thoughtful of you to take that task on!

I have celiac disease, and it is a real pain in the keister. I have to read every label of everything I eat. Wheat turns up in unlikely places, like Doritos corn chips and soy sauce.

Amy Guth said...

Oh yeah! That's right! I remember you also have celiac disease because I remember forwarding a resource on your blog to the hostess of this party! That's right! Well, if I come up with any super dishes, I will send the details of their creation. Promise.

Amy Guth said...

Diane: reminds me of the night I busted out that New York State Kosher "champagne"... ugh. Remember? Oy.

Anonymous said...

*giggle* *snort*
Sadly, I had tried to forget! ;)

Anonymous said...

It sounds like a very festive evening. Knowing your culinary skills, I know the food will be out of this world.

Sizzle said...

man, i'm hungry. sounds like a great task to have!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Guth, you ARE an impressive woman. Gluten-free people kind of scare me.

Leah in Chicago said...

The shortest answer is that biblical kosher is what it says in the torah. no piggies, no shellfishes and then I add the basic separation of meat and dairy.

But I don't use separate plates or follow strict rules of time...

alright, so there is no easy answer.

This is easy though--i can't say how much I appreciate all the effort you and the other hosts are putting into this.

Amy Guth said...

My pleasure, Leahleh.

orieyenta said...

...the Bat Mitzvah keeps Biblical kosher with separation of meat and dairy, I keep and cook Rabbinic kosher vegetarian and the hostesss keeps wheat and gluten-free.

OMG, as I was reading this I was gasping at what a challenge it would be to manage to cater to everyone's needs. You are indeed my kosher heroine. Mazel Tov to Leah.

Anonymous said...

It was a challenge met at the highest levels of decadent goodness and sheer photographic beauty, What a table. I am amazed at the effort. Leah's Mom

Amy Guth said...

Thank you, Leah's Mom!

Look, you guys! Leah's mom came to my blog!

(She is such a dear woman. I only wish I got to chat with her more this weekend.)