Help for a new nanny to a Jewish family

Rima_the_nanny · Newbie Joined: Aug 07, 2007 Posts: 2

Hi.

I am not Jewish but I am beginning work for a Jewish family in September. I would like to ask some questions about Kosher cooking if that is ok.

I have researched Kosher cooking as best I can but it is a bit confusing.

Can eggs be used with meat meals and dairy meals?

Can fish be eaten with dairy if it is acceptable fish?

I would love to have some simple meals that I can make for the children in the first week or two. I wondered if anyone would take the time to tell me some simple dairy Kosher lunches and some simple Kosher meat dinners that I can easily make in the weeks I am settling in with this family.

Ideally I would like to concentrate on the children and not be worrying about the cooking. I would love to be able to know a bit more about what I am doing before I start in this Nanny job.

Thanks in advance.

Rima

jewcentral · Site Admin Joined: Oct 31, 2002 Posts: 74

Hi Rima,

Firstly I want to commend you on taking a proactive approach to your job and supporting the family's religious observances.

Here's a quick primer that may help: there are four types of foods.
1) Non-kosher (treif)- Can't be eaten by Jews. kosher utensils shouldn't be used on these types of food so if you do have it around use plastic utensils etc. Some (many?) families will ask that you not bring non-kosher into the house to avoid confusion. This is especially true if you're eating their food- then it shouldn't be a problem.
2) Milk/Dairy (aka milchik) - Anything made from dairy ingredients e.g. sour cream, cheese.
3) Meat (aka flaishig) - Meat or poultry.
4) Parve- Anything else not made from meat or milk (e.g. fish, eggs, pasta, fruits, veggies, water, soda etc)

To answer your questions:
1) eggs can be used with meat or dairy meals. but you cant take an egg cooked as part of a meat meal and serve it with a dairy meal (there's some subtleties to this where you may be able too but that's more complex)
2) Fish are parve so they can be prepared as part of milk or meat meals (though many (all?) have a custom that they don't eat meat and fish together on the same plate- so it can be 2 courses).
3) There's a kosher cook book called Kids in the Kitchen- that have simple dishes that kids like (they may enjoy preparing them also). I'll find out more details about it. There's some rules about preparing food with the fire that you should also find out about.

Some quick tips:
1) If you're unsure if a food is milk or meat (e.g. pasta) and you cant ask anyone- you can use plastic utensils/plates etc and you don't have to worry.
2) You should also ask question to your family as they'll be able to best describe their specific rules. As an example, there are certain symbols that are accepted by some Jews and not others.

jewcentral · Site Admin Joined: Oct 31, 2002 Posts: 74

The cook book is:
Kosher by Design Kids in the Kitchen by Susie Fishbein

It's available at amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Kosher-Design-Kitchen-Susie-Fishbein/dp/1578190711/ref=sr_1_1/102-7907937-4529764?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187020694&sr=8-1

Rima_the_nanny · Newbie Joined: Aug 07, 2007 Posts: 2

Hi

Thank you so much for your reply. I had checked back a few days and not seen any replies and then forgotten about it.

I have been in my new job for a month now and have got the hang of the Kosher thing. It really was better just doing it. I made one mistake of heating up meat on a dairy plate which I told them about and they were very good about it. I haven't made any mistakes since. It kind of comes naturally after a while.

Thanks for the link to that book. I'll definitely check that out.

Rima Cool

stephaniethenanny · Newbie Joined: Oct 12, 2007 Posts: 1

Hi ! I was so happy that Rima asked the question about eggs and Kosher cooking. I too, am Christian and working with a Kosher family. I am enjoying the children and all of the traditions during this past Holiday. It is amazing how each religion and culture are different but the same in many ways. Thank you to Administration for answering our questions. Hope I don't have to panic and e-mail you too many times!!!! Thanks- Stephanie