Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Cheese Noodle Casserole (Lokshen Kugel)




In a couple of weeks, September 29th to be exact, it will be the first day of a succession of high holy days. We call this first holiday Rosh Hashana (translated literally means head of the year). Not unlike other international new years, it is a time for personal reflection and resolutions and the wish for a sweet life. Don't let me mislead you, this holiday is not about drinking and watching the football game the next day - it's really more about having a good talk with yourself (introspection) and casting off sins to be a better person (repentance). Family gathers to respect this holiday and to respect humankind and we already know what happens when family gets together. It's an opportunity to create copious amounts of food, most of which have significance to the holiday. So, guess who got the short straw! Dinner is at my place.

With Rosh Hashana on my mind, I started looking through old recipes in my "holiday" box. You know - those hand written recipes that you'll never know their origin of. With Equal Opportunity Kitchen hosting Presto Pasta Nights this week, what a great time to try out one of the sweet recipes that happens to be made of lokshen (the Yiddish word for "noodles").



The truth be known, this is the sum total of my input to PPN - Psychgrad seems to have it all under control and is the driving force behind this one.

Ingredients

12 oz wide egg noodles (lokshen)
1 lb cream cheese (I used light)
3 eggs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup cream
5 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp sultana raisins
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I used more - Grace at A Southern Grace would be proud)

Cook noodles in boiling salted water for 20 minutes (or until tender but definitely not mushy).
Drain and rinse under cold water.
Combine remaining ingredients. Mix with drained, cooked noodles (lokshen) and place in a greased baking dish (9x11 should work)
Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Dot with butter.
Bake at 400 F (200C) for approximately 1 1/2 hours.



NOTE: I cut this recipe in half since this was a holiday test recipe.

Psychgrad's note: Ha! I love that....Holiday test recipe. So, if I make a cake, can I call it a test birthday run? Or maybe I should go test Halloween giveaways.


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The submission deadline for this week's roundup is end of the day tomorrow (EST)! All of the details can be found here. StumbleUpon

19 comments:

Bunny said...

I've never seen this before, when I saw the title of your post I was thinking , ohhh a good side dish for dinner,this is even better!! A sweet desert for dinner!

Anonymous said...

I used to hate kugel, but now I really like it (sort of like cilantro). This one looks particularly rich and tasty--perfect for those long yaks post-holiday dinner!

kat said...

I used to date a guy who's mom made the best kugel & I always thought I should try making it myself, this recipe looks perfect, I think I'll try it next week.

April was in CA now MA said...

You two are so funny, I love it!

This looks SO good and I'm with Grace on the cinnamon. YUM!

glamah16 said...

I have always wanted to make this.

Ivy said...

This addition of sugar is very interesting. About cinnamon, we always add it to savory dishes and I love it. It is a savory dish, isn't it?

Rosie said...

I have never made this as yet and it does look very tempting indeed. Cinnamon is a wonderful spice to add mmmm..

Rosie x

Anonymous said...

Oh how I love kugel, I make a sweet one that just knocks my socks off.

Julia said...

OHH! I love lokshen kugel. That's what I love about the Jewish holidays -- I never eat these things any other time of year and they are so, so good.

Hopie said...

That looks like some good quality comfort food with a twist! Yummy.

Oh and, Psychgrad, if I come by in a test costume can I get some of that test Halloween candy? ;-)

Anonymous said...

This is the first time I have seen a noodle dish that is not savory but sweet! It is amazing how we learn many things through blogging! :) Thanks for sharing!

Bunny said...

I've given you 2 an award, come and see!

grace said...

haHA--i am indeed proud! the dish sounded great to begin with, but looking at that list of ingredients and seeing my beloved cinnamon makes this irresistible! :)

tigerfish said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
tigerfish said...

Hiho, I've just submitted my PPN entry via email! I'm a fan of PPN :)

My entry is sometimes prone to SPAM folder...so just in case you did not get the entry email, you can head towards the link to pick up the entry

My PPN entry

Melissa said...

Kugel! It's been since my childhood that I've seen it homemade. It made me smile.

I don't know that I've ever seen anyone submit kugel for PPN. How wonderful.

Looking forward to seeing the other stuff tomorrow!

Lori Lynn said...

Giz - kugel is the first real recipe I ever cooked on my own. My friend Esther and I were in eighth grade and decided to learn how to cook. We made this dish with golden raisins. I wonder if she still remembers? Her parents owned a Kosher bakery. I have to make this, this year for the holidays.

Ruth Daniels said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ruth Daniels said...

I can't imagine the high holidays without kugel...one without cheese for Rosh Hashanah and one with to break the fast.

Thanks for adding it to Presto Pasta Nights. And I wish you and your family a wonderful year.

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