A Shabbat Meal That Starts with One Pot

Cherry Tomato and Olive Salad

Ten minutes and one bowl: halve the cherry tomatoes, chop the olives, and add good olive oil with minimal seasoning. This salad is light, quick, and packed with flavor, making it the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Note: prepare it at the last minute so the tomatoes retain their texture.

Cucumber and Avocado Salad

A crunchy bite meets a creamy one in this bowl full of flavor. This summery salad takes only minutes to prepare: thinly sliced cucumbers, avocado cubes, and a sauce that is slightly spicy, sour, and sweet—the exact combination that keeps us coming back for more. This cold, fresh salad balances the heat of the main course beautifully. Prepare it just before serving, as avocado can be quite the diva.

Homemade Lafa

These flatbreads are made from a simple dough and baked at high heat until they puff up and develop beautiful charred spots. They come out soft, flexible, and are perfect for scooping up everything on your plate: the chicken thighs, the salads, and the beans. Serve them hot from the oven to earn some well-deserved applause.

Chicken Thigh Stew with Quinoa and Noodles

We almost feel guilty about how simple this dish is to prepare—the kind of meal where the effort is minimal, but the result is a star. Ruth Oliver fries onion and garlic, adds chicken thigh cubes, and then tosses the noodles and quinoa directly into the same pot. Seasoned with curry, turmeric, and sweet paprika, the stew gains a golden color and incredible depth after just thirty minutes of cooking. It is a comforting, satisfying dish that you’ll be happy to have as leftovers for the start of the week.

Green Beans in Tomato Sauce

We love green beans, but we love them even more in a rich tomato sauce. Here, they are simmered with onion, garlic, and paprika until tender and the sauce has reduced to the perfect consistency. This is a classic homemade dish that always gets finished. Plus, it’s a champion side dish that tastes even better if prepared a day in advance.

Chocolate Crunch Cake

Show us someone who would refuse a chocolate yeast cake, and we’ll be surprised. It is one of the most universally loved treats. The beauty of this recipe is that it turns out wonderful even using oil instead of butter. This parve version is soft, juicy, and packed with chocolate, looking just like something from a high-end bakery, even if your braiding isn't perfect. Double the quantity and prepare it a day early—it might just last until your Saturday morning coffee.

Have a pleasant Shabbat!