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The History Of The Jewish Deli: I’ll Have What She’s Having (12 Recipes, 1 Article)

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slicing pastrami on cutting board

There’s something truly special about traditional Jewish delis, whether you have experienced one in person or are simply aware due to their prevalence in television programs and movies. And now the history of these culinary institutions is on full display thanks to a new traveling exhibit, “‘I’ll Have What She’s Having’: The Jewish Deli,” that was recently highlighted in a New York Times article found here.

The exhibit is at the Skirball Cultural Center through September 18, 2022. It will then be at the New-York Historical Society from November 11, 2022 through April 2, 2023; the Holocaust Museum Houston from May 4, 2023 through Aug. 13, 2023; and the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie, Ill., from Oct. 22, 2023 through April 14, 2024.

In the meantime, here are a few of our deli-inspired recipes to help get you in the mood for this tasty traveling show!

pastrami rub raw

A Pastrami Rub Recipe That Rivals New York’s Famed Katz’s Deli

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Pastrami depends heavily on the spice blend applied to the cured corned beef. But the distinctive combination of coriander, black pepper, and other spices works wonders on goose or duck breast, on pork belly, on beef short ribs to name a few options. After much research and trial and error, here's my approximation of Katz's pastrami rub recipe.
Sliced homemade pastrami

A Smoked Pastrami Recipe That’s Close To Katz’s

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

If you've ever wondered how to make pastrami then we've got you covered. Moist, tender, and full of flavor, this is the ultimate homemade smoked pastrami recipe. So what is pastrami? Simply put, it's Jewish barbecue, i.e. corned beef that has been smoked. This is about as close to Katz's pastrami recipe as you'll get!
Sliced sous vide and smoked pastrami

Pure Pastrami Perfection, The Sous-Vide-Que Method

By:

Clint Cantwell, Champion Pitmaster

Pastrami is the ultimate expression of beef brisket, and it is at its best if you start with sous vide. To begin, prepared corned beef is rendered moist and tender thanks to a low and slow sous vide water bath. The meat is then smoked on the grill, creating mouthwatering sliced pastrami for sandwiches and more.
corned beef and cabbage

Corned Beef And Cabbage Done Right (You’ve Been Doing It Wrong)

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

This St. Patrick's Day, take your corned beef to a new level thanks to this fool proof recipe. Traditionally preparing corned beef and cabbage means simply throwing it all in a pot of boiling water. Unfortunately the result is salty, mushy vegetables and meat that is tough and fatty. Here are tips to elevate this dish.
Sliced corned beef

Our Homemade Corned Beef Recipe Outshines Store Bought

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Why spend the time making our homemade corned beef recipe? Because it is so much better than anything you could buy at the grocery store!
corned beef hash

The Corned Beef Hash Recipe All Others Aspire To Be

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Corned beef hash is a perfect way to use leftover corned beef after St. Patrick's Day has come and gone. Cooking chopped corned beef along with potatoes, onion, and other select ingredients results in a dish that puts all other corned beef hash to shame. Top it with an egg or other ingredients for your own twist.
Reuben burger plated

Reuben Reimagined: The Corned Beef St. Patrick’s Day Melt

By:

Clint Cantwell, Champion Pitmaster

Corned beef is taken to new heights with this delicious recipe for the Reuben burger. Corned beef brisket is ground into burger patties before being grilled to perfection. Inspired by the classic Reuben, this patty melt style burger features tangy sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread.
Reuben sandwich

Classic New York Style Rockin’ Reuben Sandwich Recipe

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Create the ultimate Reuben sandwich with this simple recipe. If you've never tried a Reuben sandwich then you're missing out on one of the greatest flavor combinations ever. Thinly sliced corned beef is layered thick on rye or pumpernickel bread along with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and a Russian-style dressing.
A crispy potato latke lifted from the oil on a slotted spoon

Latkes aka Potato Pancakes aka Crispy Creamy Hash Browns Are The World’s Best Potatoes

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

This simple, yet flavor packed recipe for hash browns, aka potato pancakes and latkes is the most perfect use of potatoes with their mahogany crunchy edges, crispy golden midsection, and tender, rich, meaty interiors. Traditionally fried in December for Hanukkah, potato latkes are hash browns on steroids.
pickles

Quick and Easy Kosher Dill Pickles And Pickled Tomatoes

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

If you're a fan of tangy deli pickles and pickled tomatoes then you'll be ready to dive in to this recipe for classic deli-style Kosher sour dill pickles. Even better is the fact that they can be made in one day! This recipe is also perfect for pickled tomatoes, a great way to utilize end of season green tomatoes.
Sabretts onion sauce

New York Hot Dog With Classic Onion Sauce, A Bite Of The Big Apple

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

As anyone who has had a classic New York hot dog then you know that there are few things better than the simple combination of mustard, sauerkraut, and Sabrett's onion sauce. Here's the recipe you need to make your own onion sauce for a bite of the Big Apple.
Horseradish cream sauce on toast with lox

Punch Up The Flavor With This Horseradish Cream Sauce Recipe

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

This mild horseradish cream sauce is great on smoked salmon, baked potatoes, and roast beef sandwiches. We also love it as a dip for chips or carrots.
charoses

Try This Charoses Recipe, A Delicious Jewish Applesauce!

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Here's a great recipe for Charoses (Jewish applesauce). This is one of the world's great applesauces and is a perfect accompaniment to BBQ. Charoses tastes just fine as soon as you make it, but it improves with a day or two of age as the apples and raisins absorb the wine and spice flavors.

Published On: 7/28/2022 Last Modified: 11/7/2023

 

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