Repost: Overnight Chicken

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I'm reposting this due to some recent requests for this recipe! I originally posted this several years ago.

Read on for more - I started doing this because sometimes life gets crazy, and I was finding myself exhausted at the end of a long day, needing to sleep, but also really needing to get some food cooked for Shabbat. I hope you like my "cook while you sleep" post!

This post is long, long overdue!

I've been meaning to post about one of my favorite ways to streamline my Shabbat cooking.

Some of you have heard me say that I'm getting some of the cooking out of the way on Thursday night before I go to sleep by prepping "Overnight Chicken". During really busy times, this is a lifesaver!

I know a lot of people really don't like Crock Pot Chicken, but I really love the convenience of prepping food and letting it cook while I sleep. And the thing I love about overnight chicken the way I do it is its forgiving nature. I can leave it in for 8 hours as planned, or if I need to, take it out after 10 hours! It's better than Crock Pot Chicken.

So here's what I do:

I use a nice big roasting pan. I think it's one of the keys to success with this recipe. The other key to success is the baking paper. Read on and I'll explain the method I use. If you don't have a large roasting pan like this, I recommend setting aside some money to buy one. (You can even find a very affordable one - this one ships to Israeli addresses and currently has a FREE shipping option!)

THE BASIC METHOD:

Place cut up chicken in the pan.

*Season the chicken.

Cover with baking paper.

Cover TIGHTLY with aluminum foil.

Place in oven.

Turn oven on 100 C for 8-10 hours.

After it's cooked for 8-10 hours (and most likely the aroma of your Shabbat chicken is driving everyone in the house crazy), take it out of the oven.

Take a look inside the pan:

(This was 2 chickens, cut up)

*Seasonings:

When I make overnight chicken, I default to one of two flavor profiles. And I'm completely imprecise about it. I just line up my seasonings on the counter and then one by one I shake some out onto the top of all the chicken. Obviously, this means it can vary a bit in flavor from week to week...

Flavor Profile #1: "Spicy Chicken"

For this flavor profile, I use:

Soy Sauce (I use GF soy sauce with no sugar added)

Turmeric

Granulated or Minced Garlic (lots)

Ground Ginger (not a lot)

Black Pepper (coarsely ground)

Smoked Paprika

Hot Pepper (I prefer the Chipotle version of this so it's smoked and hot - you can find it on iHerb - note that this link is my referral link)

You can leave out the soy sauce if you're soy-free, but if you do, it might be worth sprinkling a bit of salt onto the chicken with the other seasonings.

Flavor Profile #2: "Date Honey Chicken"

For this flavor profile, I use:

Granulated or Minced Garlic (don't skimp)

Ground Ginger (don't skimp)

Black Pepper (coarsely ground)

About 1/4 cup silan (Date Honey - I use the kind that is 100% dates)

 

I don't add salt to this one.

I'm sure you can use the same method for any other flavor profile you like -- I'd love to hear your favorites!

Hope you like this recipe. Please leave me note if you make it, and I'd be thrilled if you tag me on social media if you post about it. Thanks!

Deep discounts!

this post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission when you click on a link and make a purchase, but this will never cost you anything extra!

Rosh Hashana is around the corner, and in Israel that means every store is trying to get you to spend your shekels with them! So sales are everywhere!

You all know that I'm not a fan of just buying things for the sake of buying things - I've been really trying to only buy things we actively decide make sense to buy - that means NO impulse shopping!

And that means that when I do decide I need something, it's usually time to shop around and find the best quality I can afford for the best price I can find.

Ok so with that explanation out there, I just want to let you know about one of the awesome sales I found: you can get a whole lot of Soltam kitchen items for DEEP discounts AND free shipping. That's definitely one of my favorite kinds of sales - the kind where I don't have to do the heavy lifting. 

Check out this sale HERE  

The screenshot you see here is nowhere near all the items on sale! There are just SO many things for your kitchen with free shipping right now! Definitely time to buy if you were missing something.

One of my favorites in the selection is this pizza stone set. Check it out!

I'm a big fan of only buying things when there's a sale. I really don't recommend paying full price if you don't have to. It's just really no fun to watch the shekels flow right out of my bank account, ya know?

Do you need a particular item? I'd love to help you find it! Just join my shopping group on Facebook and post your request!

See you there!

Aliexpress Discount Codes for Israeli Shoppers!

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This will never cost you extra!

Shopping Aliexpress this week? Don't miss out on these coupon codes!

Code IL4 gets you $4 (USD) off Orders over $40 USD

Code IL8 gets you $8 (USD) off Orders over $80 USD

Both codes are valid through August 27, 2023

Click here to find all the best end-of-summer sales: 8.21-8.27 End of Season Sale-Spend & Save-Global

I'm seeing lots of items with 11, 12, or 15-day shipping to Israel! Just be sure that when you get that note that your package is on the way you OPEN the SMS and select your pickup location. This way you'll hopefully avoid the hassle of having to get IsraelPost to find your package at a post office 2 hours away from you and reroute it to your local pickup spot. Trust me, I know.

And be careful not to overdo it or your house might get overrun with boxes. Don't ask me if that's ever happened to me. Because I'm not at liberty to say.

But let's just say that I believe the local deliver guys know my name quite well. Oops.

To be fair, I usually don't even order things for myself. It's my family. They ask me to find them the things they need. So I end up placing all the orders. Really, it's true!

Anyhow, let me know what you're looking for - I can try to help you find it too, especially if you want to buy it on Aliexpress. Just post in the Kosher Frugal group and I'll do my best to get you a link!

Avoid getting scammed

Have you gotten an email or text about "an order" of yours that's waiting for payment of some trivial amount? Or that has to clear customes?

Maybe you've received a text message telling you that your account is in danger of suspension and you must verify your details?

Or one of the many other messages that people are getting out there?

BE CAREFUL. Many Israelis are getting scammed and find their credit cards compromised after clicking one of these messages!

How can you tell if that message is a scam/phishing message? Here are some tips:

Spelling mistakes in the URL - don't click! 

Look carefully at the picture above with screenshots of actual text messages I've received - that link that is supposedly from Israel Post is from "Israeilpost.com" - which is NOT the Israel Post URL!

Don't trust short links or unofficial-looking links:

Always go through official websites when you need customer service, tech support, or to authorize changes to your account. This applies to your bank, credit cards, postal services, and even websites you shop on. Look in the picture above - at least one link is "tinyurl" link, another is a "rebrand.ly" link. Big Red Flag.

 

Verify links first:

Legitimate websites use the url you know for that site. The post office does not send out short links! Neither does your bank. When in doubt, go directly to the website (or app) you think the message came from, and log in on your own. A legitimate request will show up when you log in. If you got a text message telling you to pay a customs fee, but you can't see the fee and information about it when you track your package, it's a scam. Same goes for resetting your bank account password. If you log in to your account and there's no message there, the text/email you got was almost certainly a scam!

Urgent messages should make you wary:

Scammers will often try to get you to act quickly. They'll tell you that you must pay within X number of hours, or that your account will be closed in X amount of time if you don't act quickly. If they manage to make you feel panicked, you're more likely to give out sensitive information. So always take the time to double and triple check before you click on that link or agree to reset your account. If the message seems out of the blue AND urgent, be wary! See the picture above - one of the messages says that your package will be returned to sender if you don't pay! If you really owe taxes, this won't be the way you get this message.

Same goes for phone calls!

If someone calls you and urges you to pay a fee over the phone with your credit card, even if they seem to know who you are, don't pay! Call the number you have for the contact person you work with at that company (it's often an insurance scam, so call your insurance agent, or whichever company they claim to be from) and speak with them directly so you know you're speaking to a legitimate person and not a scammer.

A friend called asking you to wire money because they're stuck overseas without money? 

Phone numbers and voices can be cloned. If your friend is truly overseas and stuck, chances are they won't be calling you. If you're concerned about a friend overseas and you can't reach them when you call them, you can get in touch with the embassy in that country or a trusted contact there, who can check on your friend. DON'T WIRE MONEY because of a phone call. Always find a way to verify the person is who you think they are before you agree to send any money! It's really truly rare that any request for you to urgently wire money is actually legit. So my bottom line is BE WARY!

My thoughts about scammers:

Scammers are theives. They prey on people in whatever way they think they'll get you to part with your money or your sensitive information! That doesn't mean you can't still help a friend in need, or give tzedaka! Just be sure to do this in a way that you're sure your money will get where you intend it to go. 

Hope you found this helpful! I'd love to hear from you! Be sure to join my Facebook group and we can be in touch there! 

 

Spa deals for you!

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may be paid a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Spa day, anyone? I've found some deals for you if you're looking for one of those!

Deal 1: Spa Day for TWO people via "Share Spa" - you'll get a massage for 2, use of the pool, snacks, wine, and in some locations, use of the spa facitlities. 
- Choose option 1 for 489 NIS if you want to use one of the 4 hotels listed for that option
- Choose option 2 for 589 NIS if you want to use one of the 5 hotels listed for that option

CLICK HERE TO GET THIS DEAL 

Deal 2: Breakfast and admission to the pool at the Leonardo Inn Dead Sea Hotel, for 119 NIS per person

The voucher can be used anytime through the end of 2023.

CLICK HERE TO GET THIS DEAL

Deal 3: Spa Day at the Gaash Hot Springs Spa.

- Choose option 1 to get admission to the facility and use of the various thermo-mineral pools, for 88 NIS
- Choose option 2 to get the above package for TWO people, for 169 NIS
- Choose option 3 to get the above package for THREE people, for 249 NIS
- Choose option 4 to get the above package for FOUR people, for 333 NIS

The voucher can be used anytime through October 31, 2023

CLICK HERE TO GET THIS DEAL

Deal 4: Spa Day at the Leonardo Plaza in Jerusalem, including breakfast, 50-minute massage, wine, spa facility.

-Choose option 1 for one person, for 299 NIS
Choose option 2 for two people, for 559 NIS

The voucher can be used for 90 days from date of purchase

CLICK HERE TO GET THIS DEAL

Let me know which one of these you think is best! 

Enjoy - and remember, these packages also make a GREAT gift for someone special!

Another way to get FREE things!

I'm going to assume that if you're reading this, you really appreciate FREE stuff! Sometimes, the only free things you can get are pretty useless junk, but sometimes there's something really worthwhile out there!

Here's a way to get points towards a VERY WIDE variety of free things - if you're a member of Clalit Mushlam.

So if you are, indeed, a member of Clalit Mushlam, here's what you need to know:

You're paying them a monthly premium for the privilege of membership, and you can get discounts on things and perks, like the ability to see a mushlam doctor for much less than the cost of going private. So here's a perk you might not have heard of:

Clalit Active. It's an app that encourages a healthy lifestyle, and you accumulate points. You can redeem those points for rewards - things like gift cards, smoothies, gym admission, and sports equipment!

Now, everyone knows I'm not big exercise buff, but even I go walking and eat things and drink water, so it's pretty easy to get points! I've already picked out the reward I'm working towards, and my family members have already gotten several rewards.

Right now, rewards include pool admission for a major discount (20 NIS + 2000 points, at participating pools - there's a list).

Want in on it? Just click this link from your phone to get it! And be sure to add in referral code JPAJKYK for a sign-up bonus - there's a section called מישוש קוד מתנה where you can put the code in for a 600-point bonus! You have to put the code in the day you activate the app in order to get the bonus.

Have fun! Feel free to share this post with anyone you know who might want to join!

I went shopping for a bag and here's what I got

 This post contains affiliate links, so if you click on a link and make a purchase,
I may receive a small commission. Thank you!

I decided I needed a grown-up bag that I could use when I want to dress a bit nicer than usual and feel a little more formal than my usual super casual "SAHM" look.

I've been dressing down a lot, especially the last few years. But I have decided that every so often, I really do need to dress a bit nicer. And it's easy to start with buying a pretty bag... Much easier than buying new clothes that fit and make me feel good. So I started with that... 

And then, naturally, after finding some nice looking but pretty pricey bags that weren't actually quality, I turned to Aliexpress. There, I sorted through handbags and settled on one in the $30 range, with free 15-day shipping. And now it's here, and I just unpacked it! 

I ordered it in purple, of course. The exact bag I purchased isn't available right now but this one is very similar: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkBJDZn

Sadly, the purple isn't the shade I thought I was getting, but it'll do. It's not as deep a purple as I thought.

The bag itself is very nice - I just need to air it out a bit - it has a strong smell that, oddly enough, one of my kids LIKES, but I'm sure will fade in the next couple of days.

Here's how it came packaged:

It was a LOT of packaging, but it did the job and the bag arrived in brand-new condition. This seller has lots and lots of good reviews.

So now that my bag is all unwrapped and ready to go, it will probably just sit and wait a bit. Because I have no place to go right now! But trust me, when I do, I'll take the bag!

Here's the link to a similar bag from the same seller - I may actually be regretting that I bought the one above and not this other one! 

Let me know what you think. 

Hope you found this helpful!

If you've found a seller that has impressed you, please let me know which, so I can check it out too!

Thanks

VEGAN White Spelt and Oat Bran Challah Recipe

--- Retrieved from http://www.kosherfrugal.com/2013/06/sweet-whole-wheat-and-oat-bran-challah.html -
I change up my challah recipe sometimes, and this is our White Spelt Vegan version! It's been a hit with my family. If you make it, I'd love to hear your feedback!

White Spelt and Oat Bran Vegan Challah

1 kilo white spelt flour, sifted
2/3 cup oat bran  
1 T. salt  
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp dry yeast
1/3 cup oil + a little more for oiling the bowl (use the oil you like for baking - I use sunflower oil)

3 1/4 cups warm water*

 *I find that the amount of water needed varies a lot - it depends on the temperature and humidity in my kitchen on a particular day, and different batches of flour behave differently

(Take challah without a bracha for this quantity)

Directions:

1. Mix together dry ingredients (flour, oat bran, salt, sugar, and yeast)
2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add liquid ingredients. Mix well. Then knead well till you have a nice ball of dough that isn't too sticky to work with.
3. Drizzle about 1-2 teaspoons of oil into the bowl and flip the ball of dough over a couple of times, so it's coated lightly in oil. Cover and allow to rise till doubled. On warm days, this can take about 1 hour.  In the winter I set it up in the morning and forget about it until noon or so.
4. Punch down. Shape your challot. Allow to rise for about 1/2 an hour. (I usually make 3 challot out of this size batch, but it's easily doubled)

5. PREHEAT YOUR OVEN TO 220 C/425 F

6. Optional: brush the tops with a sugar-water mixture or oat "milk"
7. Bake for about 25-30 min at 220C (425 F) until golden.
Allow to cool before you devour them. Lately everyone likes them best when I remember to take them out of the oven at 24-25 minutes so they're just-so-slightly underbaked.

Shabbat Shalom!

Coupon Code for TODAY only!

 This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you! Thanks for your support! 

It's the tenth of the month, and that means that if you shop online using an Israeli mastercard, you can potentially save a lot of money today.

Here are some of my favorite deals, be sure to enter code MASTERCARDAY at checkout to get your savings!

Aliexpress - with the code you'll get $5 off your $35 purchase

Wallashops - with the code you'll get 100 NIS off your 990 NIS purchase

Groo - with the code you'll get 30 NIS off your 99 NIS purchase

iHerb - with the code you'll get 10% off your $60 purchase

There are other deals out there, too! Happy Savings!

Restaurant Discounts!!

This post contains affiliate links. That means that I may get a paid a small commission if you click on a link and make a purchase, at NO additional cost to you! 

I'm so excited to bring you a whole list of discount Restaurant Vouchers (KOSHER) today! We all like to treat our loved ones (or ourselves) sometimes, so why not make sure to get the best deal for your shekels?! Check out these discount vouchers - there are all kinds of restaurants, in various locations throughout Israel!

As far as I know, all the restaurants listed here are KOSHER. If I know they're mehadrin, I've tried to make a note of that.

Get your sushi fix in Jerusalem - here's a voucher for Thailandi BaMoshava (Mehadrin) - your platter will be 24% off!

CLICK HERE FOR THE J-M SUSHI VOUCHER 

Jerusalemites will definitely want to check out Shepaduni's voucher for 2 (priced at 199 NIS!) (mehadrin)

CLICK HERE FOR THE SHEPADUNI VOUCHER

Here's a deal for a discount voucher to Poke Bowl in Petach Tikvah or Herzliya! For 65 NIS per person! 

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE POKE BOWL VOUCHER

Here's a deal for a meal for 2 at Paradiso at Sarona in Tel Aviv, for 159 NIS instead of 265 NIS!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE PARADISO VOUCHER

Going out to eat in Cesearia? Here's a discount voucher for lunch for 2 at Aresto!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE ARESTO VOUCHER

Dinner for 2 in Tel Aviv's Schunat Hatikvah at Avazi, for just 139 NIS!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE AVAZI VOUCHER

Looking for a Friday hotel breakfast buffet? Here's a discount voucher at the Ramada in Ramat Gan! 89 NIS for 1 / 169 NIS for 2

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE RAMADA BREAKFAST VOUCHER

Here's a voucher for discount admission to the Leonardo Jerusalem's breakfast buffet! Starts at 79 NIS

CLICK HERE FOR THE LEONARDO JERUSALEM BREAKFAST VOUCHER 

Get your Caffit voucher (at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens) for 159 NIS or 189 NIS for 2!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS VOUCHER

Breakfast for two in Gush Etzion at BaYekev - the winery restaurant - 99 NIS for two!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE GUSH ETZION BREAKFAST DEAL

Here's a deal for discount Sushi platters in Ramat Gan!
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE RAMAT GAN SUSHI VOUCHER

Love Italian food? Check out Castello at Namal Tel Aviv (mehadrin) - vouchers are available for 30% off!
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE CASTELLO VOUCHER

Eating out in Netanya? Here's a deal for 2 at Casa Julia (mehadrin), for 159 or 189 NIS!
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE CASA JULIA VOUCHER

Coffee and Sandwich deal at LecheMoshe in Tekoa (Mehadrin)

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE TEKOA SANDWICH VOUCHER 

Pizza deals (personal/family) at LecheMoshe in Tekoa, starting at 19.90

CLICK HEAR TO BUY THE TEKOA PIZZA VOUCHER

El Rancho (Tiberias) has a great deal for dinner for 2 for 199 NIS! (mehadrin)

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE EL RANCHO VOUCHER

Breakfast for 2 in Ashkelon: get your voucher for Gatos for 109 NIS!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE GATOS VOUCHER

Grab this deal for the Breakfast Buffet at the Leonardo-Negev (Be'er Sheva) Hotel! 69 NIS for 1 person, 119 NIS for 2!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE NEGEV BREAKFAST BUFFET VOUCHER

My apologies for any discrepancies between the prices listed above and the price on the site. Sometimes prices change without warning.

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and join my Kosher Frugal group where everyone can share their best savings tips!