You’ve heard all kinds of jokes about Jewish Time. It is tacitly assumed that “standard Jewish time” is about thirty minutes later than regular time. For instance, if an invitation is issued for, say, three o’clock in the afternoon, it’s a good idea to clarify whether you are expected there on time or on standard Jewish time, otherwise you risk catching your hosts still putting on finishing touches. King Solomon, the wisest man on Earth, remarked, “That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. There is nothing new under the sun” (Koheles, Chapter 1). Throughout the ages, philosophers of many different cultures interpreted this statement as either the Oedipal vision of fate – what will be, shall be, no matter what we do – or the linear ascent in pursuit of – well, whatever one decides to pursue.
A great Rabbi and brilliant modern times thinker Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, fondly known as The Rav, explained that both concepts are erroneous with relation to Jewish time. Jewish history, he suggested, is neither a circle, nor a straight line; it’s a spiral where “the past is not gone; it is still here. The future is not only anticipated; it is already here, and the present connects the future and the past” (Out of the Whirlwind; Essays on Mourning, Suffering and the Human Condition). It is up to us, then, to choose the direction in which to move on the spiral of time: do we access past experiences to connect with the future and move up, or do we shrink in fear of what the future may hold and slide down?
Moving up the spiral in my humble kitchen, I am cranking the spiralizer to make a main dish. I am using past experience, slicing zucchini on regular pasta setting (please see Zoodles, Part 1 here). However, I am moving up the spiral by combining more flavors: I sear diced garlic and grated ginger first, before adding zoodles and just a bit more olive oil.
To make it a truly filling and nutritious main dish, you need to incorporate protein. I do that by adding cubed extra firm tofu. Again, using the same successful past experience, I mix in diced tomato and a splash of sweet red wine. Then I move up the flavors spiral by using soy sauce instead of salt and Garam Masala instead of pepper.
It only takes a few minutes for Toodles (tofu zoodles) to be ready, with a perfect blend of flavors, but I felt that it needed something else – maybe a crunch?
I sprinkled sesame seeds on top before serving, and that made all the difference! All you need is love and a desire to move up the spiral!
INGREDIENTS
- 3 – 4 small to medium zucchini, spiralized on regular pasta setting or thinly sliced
- 1 package (14 oz) extra firm tofu, pressed, drained, and cubed
- 3 – 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 inch (2,5 cm) ginger, grated
- 1 large soft tomato, diced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala or more to taste
- Optional cayenne pepper to taste
- A splash of red wine or juice
- White sesame seeds to sprinkle
PROCEDURE
- Lightly mist deep frying pan, dutch oven, or wok with oil.
- On high heat, sear garlic and ginger. Add spiralized zucchini, stir fry for 2 – 3 minutes. Add cubed tofu, toss, stir fry together.
- Add the rest of ingredients, mix well, stir fry for 3 – 5 minutes, until zucchini is soft and tofu absorbs seasoning flavors.
- Serve immediately, sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
Enjoy!
Wow awesome and wholesome meal. Loved the history part of your story of the Rabbi too. Great post.
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Thank you, dear Kamal, for your lovely comment!
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Welcome dear
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Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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Standard Jewish Time coincides with Standard French Time as it happens (though the French don’t actually define it – just do it!). I’m certainly going to give Toodles a go with all those delicious moves up the flavor spiral. Toodle Pip! 😊
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Here is a tidbit I decided not to include in my post: “By far the most masculine form of the English from of ‘goodbye’. It comes from the French saying “à tout à l’heure” which sounded like ‘Toodle-oo’, which was further shortened to ‘Toodles’. Used by pro-wrestlers, gangsters, and warlords alike, Toodles is an effective word of parting between men of high stature. Uncultured swines often mistake this word for one of an effeminate, dainty vernacular. These imbeciles are idiotic and probably have bad teeth” (urbandictionary.com). Totally not PC!
Another non-PC segment describes the other two time dimensions specific to South Florida: standard Latin time (one hour later) and standard Caribbean time (“see you later” time). I’ve heard that standard French time is somewhere in between, n’est-ce pas?
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French time is certainly somewhere in between. The definition of Toodle fascinates. Certainly Toodle-oo would have been considered a little outre by those of high status (P G Wodehouse for example would certainly have been a toodle pip man as, I think would Evelyn Waugh) in England but I had absolutely no idea about this Toodles and its association with gangsters and warlords. I honestly found this compelling … bad teeth or not!!!
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I tend to take it as a joke, but I could visualize a gangster of the Prohibition times trying to acquire a coat of cultural “patine” by using Britishisms.
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😅😅😅
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😸
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That is funny with the time…..I had a difficult understanding and I still do with the time here in the Netherlands. When they a let’s say 10:30, they mean 9:30. In other words they are one hour ahead….I have to always double check just to be sure. 🙂
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How interesting! I have not noticed this time discrepancy when I visited Amsterdam.
Thank you for a lovely comment, dear!
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As a tourist you would not know it. When you live here then you find out how the time works hahahaha
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Fascinating – thank you!
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I actually found this out when I started my Dutch lessons…and your welcome…:)
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🙂
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Reblogged this on All About Writing and more.
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Thank you for reblogging.
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You are welcome!
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🙂
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There is also an element called ‘Peggy time’. One of these days I’ll write about it on my blog.
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Oh please do! I will be looking forward to it!
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Those “Toodles” are so neat ~ Great ideas here!
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Thank you, dear Christy, I am you like the recipe – it came out delicious!
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Oh I love zoodles you and your readers may enjoy this recipe
https://reallifeofanmsw.com/2016/04/12/zucchini-meets-zoodles
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Thank you so much for the link to a delicious recipe! I reblogged it with a little caveat about shrimp (I hope you don’t mind!)
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Not at all. Thank you for the reblog.
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My pleasure, and a great contribution to my line up.
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[ Smiles ] This is my sort of thing!
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Thank you, Renard! We aim to please 😸
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thank you for reblogging.
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Thank you for another nice story and recipe. I love JST difference. When its too late i can say i ment JST 🙂 Seems i now have to eat tofu the first time in my life? Thx. Have a nice weekend ahead. 😉 Michael
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Try it – tofu is good! Have a great weekend!
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I bet this would be good even without the tofu.
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Definitely, but it wouldn’t have any protein, so it wouldn’t be a main course.
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All so nourishing! If our meals all had themes… Hmmmm!
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They should, ideally! Thank you for a lovely comment!
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Much “new age wisdom” is actually based in age-old Jewish mysticism – but I’m sure you already knew that. The jokes about “Jewish time” would be more aptly named “ADD time.” 🙂
xx,
mgh
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Yes, I already knew that. Even though there isn’t any research to support this feeling I have, but I have a feeling that there is a lot of ADD in Jewish genes, and Jewish genes have spread all over the world during the last 2500 years.
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I have always thought the same thing, Dolly. The ADD stats in Israel are as high as those in the USA and Australia (the three countries with highest stats in the world).
xx,
mgh
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I don’t know how reliable those numbers are, but it seems highly probable.
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My guess is that the numbers are actually LOW. I see a lot more ADD in the USA than is reported by percentage anyway.
xx,
mgh
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I would agree with your guess but I’ve also seen a lot of it misdiagnosed.
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True – I’m basing my guess based on my knowledge and what I see – *many* UN-dx’d. Of course, I am not licensed to diagnose, but the one’s who got dx’d following confirmed my suspicions.
xx,
mgh
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I am also not licensed to diagnose, but your numbers sound reasonable.
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Clutching my aching head- time is a spiral?? AHHHHH
Toodles- another great name!!
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It really is, believe it or not! 😼
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Reblogged this on koolkosherkitchen and commented:
My computer is undergoing major surgery, so I have to resort to repeating older posts. Since today is a National “Eat Your Noodles” Day (https://foodimentary.com/2014/03/11/march-11-is-national-eat-your-noodles-day/) and ZOODLES are theoretically noodles – zucchini noodles – here goes, with all my love. Enjoy, Beautiful People!
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This is so beautiful…I mean the dish and the story you incorporate along are equally intresting and indulging too.
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment, dear!
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you are welcome 🙂
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😻
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😍
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Surgery?? OH nO!!! Did it get stuck in the spiral???
“Moving up the spiral in my humble kitchen, I am cranking the spiralizer to make a main dish.” The perfect segue!!
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You are so perceptive, my favorite purple person! That’s exactly what it did – get stuck. The Boss to the rescue! Salvaged all my data, thank G-d, now for the second step…
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Whew!! Computers are worse than toddlers!!
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They are! You can’t put them in time out.
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More’s the pity!
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Yep, but mine puts itself in time out whenever it feels like it! Should I feed it some chocolate?
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Need you even ask???
Check out Carmen’s time spiral!
https://fashionableover50.wordpress.com/2018/03/16/black-and-white-checkered-duster/
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She is AAAHHHHMAZING! Thank you for introducing me to this lady!
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Yes, she is!! I’m glad you enjoyed! And welcome very much!
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She is my age – we should all look like that!
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yes!
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That’s it – crash diet tomorrow!
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😀
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