We know this holiday season is going to look a bit different than one’s of the past. With travel not being an option for most, our large holiday festivities will be put on hold for smaller, more intimate gatherings. But here at Social Studies, we believe in the magic that happens around the dinner table, and that a Small Gathering can still be a Big Moment.
Which is why we are thrilled to partner with LG this holiday season to bring you a series of Small Gatherings, Big Moments stories that would not be possible without the LG Dishwasher with TrueSteam®, because a great meal and a beautifully styled table, starts and ends with a great dishwasher.
First up in our Small Gatherings, Big ____ series is, Mike Solmonov of Zahav! We hope you enjoy learning about Mike’s Small Gathering, Big Ritual, a dinner ritual so special we’ve broken it into two parts, and that he inspires you to celebrate the holidays and gather with ease this season.
When you sit down at Mike’s James Beard Award winning restaurant, Zahav in Philadelphia, you instantly feel at home. Pulling from his Israeli roots, you’re met with warm pita and a bevy of mezzes, the perfect setting to sit back, relax and enjoy the company around you. So it’s no surprise when you’re invited into Mike’s home for Friday night family dinner - a weekly ritual for Mike and his business partner, Steve, and Steve’s family - a similar scene unfolds.
Here, Mike shares his tips on how you can pull off this feat, stress free, with the help of LG's QuadWash™ Dishwasher with TrueSteam®.
1. Get Your Kids Involved
Mike insists you should, “Cook with your kids. I have two young boys and one of them has really enjoyed cooking with me during this time, and the other just loves to eat, so together they're basically the dream team.”
And, get your kids to set the table! With LG dishwashers with TrueSteam® your kids will be supplied with clean dishes, sparkling glassware and spot-free flatware, so they can prep the table and create memories of their own.
2. Ask for a Hand
Mike explains, “The way we eat is called 'family style' for a reason. It’s a shared experience from start to finish, so don’t ever be afraid to ask for a hand.”
On that note, Mike’s kids are in charge of loading the LG dishwasher after every meal. Lucky for them there is no need to pre-rinse the dishes before loading thanks to LG QuadWash™ dishwashers' TrueSteam® feature that cleans even the toughest of foods (think of all those holiday casserole dishes) but is still gentle enough for your most delicate glassware.
Plus, with four spray arms instead of your typical two, there’s not a smudge left behind on dishes and hard to clean pans. Oh, and all those tricky-to-fit cooking utensils and bowls? Mike pointed his kids to the adjustable third rack, which is built for his most awkward cooking tools. A win for all!
3. Keep it Simple
You know we are big fans of this rule at Social Studies, and Mike agrees. “Absolutely do not take on too much. Keep the menu tight with a handful of dishes that you love the most, and your guests will be impressed.” Clean plates on a beautiful table is the most simple and elegant backdrop we can think of for any holiday gathering, which is why LG dishwashers and Social Studies is your perfect pairing for any Small Gathering, Big Moment.
With that we also wanted to provide a fun little recipe from Mike, in partnership with LG dishwashers, to encourage everyone to gather with grace and love during this upcoming holiday season.
Mike Solomonov’s Harissa Roast Chicken in partnership with LG Dishwashers with TrueSteam®
The Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon celery seeds
- 2 tablespoons harissa
- ½ cup ground Aleppo pepper
The Harissa:
Combine ½ cup ground Aleppo pepper, 1 garlic clove, 1½ tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, a pinch each of ground coriander and ground caraway, and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Blend in a food processor to a coarse puree. Add ¼ cup canola oil and process for another few seconds. Stop short of making it perfectly smooth. Refrigerated, harissa will keep 2 weeks.
The Directions:
Put the chicken breast side down on a cutting board. Using kitchen shears, cut along one side of the backbone, then the other, and remove it. (Discard the backbone or save for chicken stock.) Flip the chicken over so the breast side is up and press hard on the breastbone to make the chicken as flat as possible.
Season the chicken all over with the salt and celery seeds. Rub well with the harissa. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a rack inside a roasting pan. Put the chicken on the rack and roast until cooked through and the spices are browned and fragrant, about 35 minutes (an instant-read thermometer should read 165°F).
Plate, serve and enjoy!
