Comments on Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?TypePad2007-05-17T08:09:27ZDavid Bognerhttps://www.treppenwitz.com/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://www.treppenwitz.com/2007/05/which_came_firs/comments/atom.xml/Meggin Berry commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef017616207582970c2012-07-05T00:12:20Z2012-07-08T08:08:17ZMeggin BerryOkay I'm sitting here laughing at the conversations and memories of other but only because they so closely align with...<p>Okay I'm sitting here laughing at the conversations and memories of other but only because they so closely align with mine. I'm not Jewish BUT my Grands have all these recipes with their own variation: P'tsha on here is "Chicken Jelly" in my Grands kitchen. Chicken feet used instead of lamb or calves feet. Grivenes on here is "Chicken Pop-corn" in my Grands kitchen! Challah here is peasant bread in my memories! Schmaltz would be "chicken drippings!" Oh my goodness! It makes me wonder if the Heisler's (first generation in the US from Germany) may have a Jewish influence? Thanks so much for the smiles and fond remembrances! </p>Bob Miller commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed7c688332007-05-20T22:00:28Z2008-02-14T04:51:00ZBob MillerA critical mass of schmaltz has such a gravitational pull that no light beams can leave it, sorta like a...<p>A critical mass of schmaltz has such a gravitational pull that no light beams can leave it, sorta like a black hole. This has remained a secret either (A) because people keep eating the schmaltz, so it hasn't yet built up to the critical mass, or (B) because, when the critical mass is reached, all nearby people are pulled into its vortex and never get out.</p>Mickysolo commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed39c88332007-05-19T23:18:27Z2008-02-14T04:50:23ZMickysolohttp://mikysolo.blogspot.comP’tsha is far from vile. It’s made from calf’s foot and can be eaten hot or cold. We always ate...<p>P’tsha is far from vile. It’s made from calf’s foot and can be eaten hot or cold. We always ate it hot. The feet along with any variety of root vegetables and loads of garlic are boiled for many hours. We always had it served with fresh out-of-the-oven challahs. One of the highlights was to eat meat off the bones and suck the marrow. Not the greatest for our arteries, it is wonderful, and I miss it,</p>jaime commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550525fa688342007-05-19T03:52:55Z2008-02-14T04:50:40Zjaimehttp://www.sweetooth120.blogspot.comFunny, I grew up with both but never knew the yiddish words for them. I just thought shmaltz was simply...<p>Funny, I grew up with both but never knew the yiddish words for them. I just thought shmaltz was simply chicken fat that one would use for flavoring in chicken soup or other dishes. Though probably somewhere deep in my memory, I am sure my father must of dipped his toast into it.</p>
<p>So now that I know a name for the fried chicken skin, I am proud to say I LOVE Gribenes (and the schmaltz leftovers) and I'm Proud to admit I make it anytime I can to the dismay of my husband and other heart healhy conscious family members. I also, love taking a slotted spoon, and eating the trimmings left in the pan. YUMMY.</p>
<p> One of my pure joys of previous living in Queens was a visit to a Kosher meat counter and taking home the yummy "fried chicken skins." It always reminded me of my childhood.</p>
<p>Mmm Mmm Delicious!</p>antares commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550525eca88342007-05-18T17:19:31Z2008-02-14T04:50:34ZantaresA friend of mine used to keep several pints of chicken schmaltz in his freezer, but he kept no butter...<p>A friend of mine used to keep several pints of chicken schmaltz in his freezer, but he kept no butter and no cooking oils. He used schmaltz in every dish he cooked. His motto (I'm guessing) was "Schmaltz! Don't leave your kitchen without it!"</p>
<p>To Elisson <br />
Try scrambling eggs in duck schmaltz.</p>nikki commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed6e788332007-05-18T13:42:15Z2008-02-14T04:50:52Znikkibtw -- kreplach wanting to be fancy would be called tortellini, while shlishkes would be gnocchi. italians and jews have...<p>btw -- kreplach wanting to be fancy would be called tortellini, while shlishkes would be gnocchi. italians and jews have so much in common!</p>K Newman commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e55052637b88342007-05-18T07:24:19Z2008-02-14T04:51:23ZK NewmanJoe, does the mere thought of getting caught make you stutter? :)<p>Joe, does the mere thought of getting caught make you stutter?</p>
<p>:)</p>JoeSettler commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550525db388342007-05-18T05:48:54Z2008-02-14T04:50:24ZJoeSettlerhttp://www.joesettler.comDang. Please erase 2 of those.<p>Dang. Please erase 2 of those.</p>JoeSettler commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed7b888332007-05-18T05:47:28Z2008-02-14T04:50:59ZJoeSettlerhttp://www.joesettler.comI have to make sure no one is home in order to be "allowed" to make gribenes. Well, not "allowed",...<p>I have to make sure no one is home in order to be "allowed" to make gribenes. </p>
<p>Well, not "allowed", as there is a standing order forbidding me to eat it whether or not anyone might catch me or not.</p>JoeSettler commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed50688332007-05-18T05:47:27Z2008-02-14T04:50:35ZJoeSettlerhttp://www.joesettler.comI have to make sure no one is home in order to be "allowed" to make gribenes. Well, not "allowed",...<p>I have to make sure no one is home in order to be "allowed" to make gribenes. </p>
<p>Well, not "allowed", as there is a standing order forbidding me to eat it whether or not anyone might catch me or not.</p>JoeSettler commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e55052623288342007-05-18T05:47:11Z2008-02-14T04:51:08ZJoeSettlerhttp://www.joesettler.comI have to make sure no one is home in order to be "allowed" to make gribenes. Well, not "allowed",...<p>I have to make sure no one is home in order to be "allowed" to make gribenes. </p>
<p>Well, not "allowed", as there is a standing order forbidding me to eat it whether or not anyone might catch me or not.</p>Elisson commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed76488332007-05-18T04:43:16Z2008-02-14T04:50:56ZElissonhttp://elisson1.blogspot.comWhat is Peking Duck but a whole mess of duck gribenes rolled up in pancakes? Gribenes and chicken schmaltz is...<p>What is Peking Duck but a whole mess of duck gribenes rolled up in pancakes?</p>
<p>Gribenes and chicken schmaltz is good...but Duck Schmaltz is heavenly. When I roast a duck, I usually end up with over a cup of beautiful, pure, golden duck schmaltz. Perfect for greasing up the roasted potatoes I serve alongside the duck.</p>
<p>Don't forget the Lipitor! </p>Bob commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5505261aa88342007-05-18T03:41:43Z2008-02-14T04:50:59ZBobhttp://lostfart.blogspot.com/Living within walking distance of the Mexican border gave my family ample supply of food that defies gentrification. Even when...<p>Living within walking distance of the Mexican border gave my family ample supply of food that defies gentrification. Even when voiced in the most lilting Spanish, "frijoles refitos" are ... well ... beans. And that's the most genteel of our southwestern cuisine. Menudo (that universal cure for Sunday morning hang-overs) is one of those don't-ask-don't-tell dishes. It has a delightful taste right up to the moment you figured out why the noodles are so chewy.</p>RaggedyMom commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e55052612288342007-05-17T23:57:28Z2008-02-14T04:50:55ZRaggedyMomhttp://www.raggedymom.blogspot.comThis sounds like when my father gets to talking about his food memories from growing up (and they also called...<p>This sounds like when my father gets to talking about his food memories from growing up (and they also called it grivenes). But he's convinced that none of the unhealthy food they ate could have been all that unhealthy, seeing as they always had a spoonful of cod liver oil.</p>
<p>Speaking of ptcha/galerete though, my husband and father could finish off a batch together. After shul, RaggedyDad likes to herring-it with the best of 'em and comes home smelling about 75 years old. Sigh!</p>Jordan Hirsch commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee0a788332007-05-17T18:51:50Z2008-02-14T04:52:31ZJordan HirschIt is high time for the self righteous among us to forgo snide comments about Schmaltz and Gribenes. No one...<p>It is high time for the self righteous among us to forgo snide comments about Schmaltz and Gribenes. No one is suggesting eating Corn Flakes with Schmaltz every morning, so just chill out.<br />
At the Amsels, Gribenes were served on top of the chopped liver, until my wife espied Mrs. Amsel assembling my plate in the kitchen. Duly admonished to watch out for my health, Mrs. Amsel then placed the Gribenes under the chopped liver, hence the mysterious crunchy chopped liver.<br />
Mr. Amel was fond of saying "Kid Schmaltz, I'm griven for you."<br />
I too took schmaltz with my chopped liver and onion appetizer at Schmulke Bernsteins, until the fateful day when Murray refused to serve it to me, being mindful of my cardiac health. So I had to eat my Chopped Liver, Kishka, Pastrami-Turkey- Corned Beef Sandwich, Cole Slaw, Hot Dog with Cole Slaw and Mustard, Cel Ray, and Chocolate Cream pie without it. Oh, and the after dinner stogie. </p>
<p> </p>Barzilai commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550525e0488342007-05-17T17:52:54Z2008-02-14T04:50:28ZBarzilaihttp://havolim.blogspot.comPtcha, made well, is neither fatty nor grey. It is the rich brown color of a good stock, and is...<p>Ptcha, made well, is neither fatty nor grey. It is the rich brown color of a good stock, and is equally good hot or cold.</p>
<p>The Head of Cardiology at a New York hospital ate at my house many years ago on Rosh Hashanna. He was in the community to take care of the Rosh Yeshiva over the holidays. He espied the plate of gribbenes, and, shocked, asked "are those gribbenes?! Do you realize how unhealthy they are? The whole chicken has one layer of cholesterol, and you concentrate it into those gribbenes. I didn't think anyone ate them anymore. I haven't had any since my grandmother passed away...I rememer how they tasted...I think I'll take just one..."<br />
Bottom line, he ate all the gribbenes, just one by just one.</p>Chaya commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed47388332007-05-17T17:36:56Z2008-02-14T04:50:32ZChayaThere's a chicken-and-egg problem here. In my mother's kitchen, the goal was schmaltz. The by-product was gribenes (which she pronounced...<p>There's a chicken-and-egg problem here. In my mother's kitchen, the goal was schmaltz. The by-product was gribenes (which she pronounced with more of a v sound than a b sound).</p>
<p>When she rendered schmaltz, the treat afterwards was rye bread with schmaltz and grivenes. Yum! (and listen to your arteries clog)</p>
<p>Somebody above referred to p'tcha - or however you want to write it. I remember it being made from veal bones, resulting in a gelatin layer over a small bottom layer of itsy bitsy meat particles. And lots of garlic. My parents liked it, but it was never high on my list.</p>efrex commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed34f88332007-05-17T16:24:09Z2008-02-14T04:50:20ZefrexPsachya - don't know if it was a borscht-belt line, but Robin Williams says a variant in "Mrs. Doubtfire" (I...<p>Psachya - don't know if it was a borscht-belt line, but Robin Williams says a variant in "Mrs. Doubtfire" (I still wonder what percentage of the movie audience caught the reference)</p>
<p>Yonah - Sorry, but Ptcha is simply the most vile material ever created. I eat sushi, steak tartare, and sweetbreads with gusto, but keep that gelatinous grey stuff on your side of the table, thank you!</p>
<p>On to the topic at hand: believe it or not, you can probably use schmaltz a lot more than you think... although my stomach heaves at the "shmeared on sandwich" imagery*, its not a whole lot more caloric than margarine or butter. There's no reason to deny an occasional indulgence.</p>
<p>Small quantities of gribenes as a mashed potato topping or once-in-a-while munch are fine; just balance out with healthful stuff the rest of the time. I can't imagine that gribines are any worse than potato chips or bamba, or most of the other junk food that we scarf down.</p>
<p>As for trying to gentrify gribenes: hmm... <i>confit de peau au poulet</i>? </p>
<p>*actually, the schmaltz isn't even so bad, but chopped liver and roast beef on the same sandwich?! Feh, I say!</p>weese commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550525ddc88342007-05-17T16:12:26Z2008-02-14T04:50:26Zweesehttp://weese.blogspot.comI just love the name of it.. schmaltz, schmaltz, schmaltz. I am saying outloud in my best jewish accent.<p>I just love the name of it.. schmaltz, schmaltz, schmaltz.<br />
I am saying outloud in my best jewish accent.</p>SaraK commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed6af88332007-05-17T15:22:11Z2008-02-14T04:50:50ZSaraKhttp://sarakblog.blogspot.comI honestly can't imagine a Jewish kitchen without schmaltz... or without the occasional treat of gribenes from which it was...<p><i>I honestly can't imagine a Jewish kitchen without schmaltz... or without the occasional treat of gribenes from which it was created.</i></p>
<p>My Jewish kitchen does just fine without schmaltz. I think I feel my arteries clogging just by reading this post!</p>Jack commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e55052623588342007-05-17T14:51:55Z2008-02-14T04:51:08ZJackhttp://wwwjackbenimble.blogspot.com/but I seem to recall that it was located above the Carvel's Ice Cream. I remember that place.<p><i>but I seem to recall that it was located above the Carvel's Ice Cream.</i></p>
<p>I remember that place.</p>Mottel commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed7ee88332007-05-17T14:39:53Z2008-02-14T04:51:02ZMottelhttp://mottel.blogspot.comBoy, would I like to be your internist!! I can pay for my vacation already with all those visits to...<p>Boy, would I like to be your internist!! I can pay for my vacation already with all those visits to control the cholesterol. <br />
Speaking of cholesterol,I was recently thinking of you when I was grilling. You probably don't remember, but you changed forever the way I eat meat. I think it was the time you walked on the Sukkah. </p>Mottel commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed34e88332007-05-17T14:39:34Z2008-02-14T04:50:20ZMottelhttp://mottel.blogspot.comBoy, would I like to be your internist!! I can pay for my vacation already with all those visits to...<p>Boy, would I like to be your internist!! I can pay for my vacation already with all those visits to control the cholesterol. <br />
Speaking of cholesterol,I was recently thinking of you when I was grilling. You probably don't remember, but you changed forever the way I eat meat. I think it was the time you walked on the Sukkah. </p>yonah commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed52a88332007-05-17T14:32:39Z2008-02-14T04:50:37ZyonahThanks for triggering a great memory - My Uncle shmeared shmaltz on everything he ate, all the time. He said...<p>Thanks for triggering a great memory - My Uncle shmeared shmaltz on everything he ate, all the time. He said he'd been doing that since he was a kid, and paid no attention to the pundits who said it was not healthy. He passed away recently, was almost 90 years old, so it seems his genetics were very shmaltz-friendly.</p>
<p>By the way, you can add another "delicacy" to this list - P'tsha. I never tried it, but I am told it is made from chicken feet and some folks swear by it.</p>Steg (dos iz nit der šteg) commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e55052621e88342007-05-17T13:52:59Z2008-02-14T04:51:07ZSteg (dos iz nit der šteg)http://boroparkpyro.blogspot.com/So which is healthier (or less unhealthy)... seasoning with schmaltz, or seasoning with those parva MSG fake chicken soup powders?<p>So which is healthier (or less unhealthy)... seasoning with schmaltz, or seasoning with those parva MSG fake chicken soup powders?</p>psachya commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed7ad88332007-05-17T13:15:00Z2008-02-14T04:50:59ZpsachyaRemember that old Borscht Belt line - "Never eat gribbenes at a mohel's house"? ;-)<p>Remember that old Borscht Belt line - "Never eat gribbenes at a mohel's house"? ;-)</p>Bob Miller commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550525f3788342007-05-17T13:13:27Z2008-02-14T04:50:37ZBob MillerBernstein's big deal was the goose fat they used for schmaltz.<p>Bernstein's big deal was the goose fat they used for schmaltz. </p>Rahel commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ed72588332007-05-17T09:35:03Z2008-02-14T04:50:54ZRahelhttp://profile.typekey.com/Rahel/Oh, my, what memories you bring back! When I was growing up, one of my jobs was to make the...<p>Oh, my, what memories you bring back! When I was growing up, one of my jobs was to make the chopped liver. I used our wooden bowl and chopper, and of course generous helpings from our glass jar of schmaltz. Haven't had any in years, and though I miss the taste and the memories it brings, I'm sure my arteries are grateful.</p>dfb1968 commented on 'Which came first, the <em>gribenes</em> or the <em>schmaltz</em>?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550525d4b88342007-05-17T08:24:26Z2008-02-14T04:50:19Zdfb1968Trep, You brought back a memory. The first time I was ever in Israel, 1986, we went frequently to Yosil's...<p>Trep,</p>
<p>You brought back a memory. The first time I was ever in Israel, 1986, we went frequently to Yosil's deli in downtown Jerusalem (Yosil was my best friend's Uncle, and as we were poor college students, any free meal was welcomed). My memory isn't that good, but I seem to recall that it was located above the Carvel's Ice Cream. Neither one is still there (I believe it was where the Bank Hapoalim is now).</p>
<p>In any event, the deli sandwiches were phenomenal, because of how much schmaltz he used. To say that these sandwiches were unhealthy gives a bad name to sandwiches that are merely unhealthy.</p>
<p>Great post.</p>