"I’ll make the first course” I told mom when she called to ask if we are coming to Rosh HaShanah dinner. “Really? “ she asked, “you don’t have to”. “I know i don’t have to” I replied, “I want to”. “Well, if you really want to, that’s ok, but you’ll have to make it here, in our place”.
When Isabelle (a fake French name) ordered ceviche I stared terrified at her plate. As one who grew up on cooked food, mainly stews, when I first saw raw fish I didn’t know how to eat it. To me, raw fish was the equivalent of a live fish swimming in the bathtub before becoming a Rosh Hashanah dish.
"Are you sure that this is what you want to make as first course for Passover dinner?” asked my better half, with a look that makes you wonder if it wasn’t better to stay in bed that morning and play sick. “I thought that this might be an excellent first course” I answered trying to sound convincing. “Actually, I’m sure it will make an excellent first course, excellent and delicious” she added, “but preparing 25 personal dishes? The kind you have to make to order so they come out right??”