Did you realize that we had a date with all nines in it this week, 9/9/09? It is hard to believe that we are already in September’s double digits. As I was figuring what to blog about today, I decided to check the calendar. We are less than two weeks away from Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sunset on September 18. I guess with dates in my mind, I noticed something sort of significant about Rosh Hashanah this year. Just like some cultures find 9/9/09 numerically significant, in Judaism, the number 18 is important because it is related to the word Chai (pronounced like the word “hi”), which means living.
I am in the process of planning out a Rosh Hashanah menu, which usually features foods that are naturally sweet as well as foods that symbolize plenty, since Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. It occurs to me, though, that with Rosh Hashanah on the 18th, there is an opportunity for a fun holiday pun: a dessert that celebrates both meanings of the word chai, the life affirming Jewish concept and the sweet and spicy Indian tea.
I am going to make this recipe for Chai Latte Cupcakes as a bundt cake. I also like these Chai-Spiced Tea Cakes, which I may make and give as a hostess gift.
I'll keep you posted on how baking goes!