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Jewish Viennese Food
Traditional Recipes. Vegan Adaptations. Cultural Stories.
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Tag: Culinary History

Macro shot of a triangular vegan hamantasch with a sharp, pale shortcrust edges and a dark, concentrated poppy seed filling, dusted with powdered sugar on a wire cooling rack.
Desserts & Pastries/Vegan

Old-Vienna Hamantaschen: A Recipe and the Problem of Eating the Enemy. Purim, Power, and the Limits of Catharsis (Vegan)

Posted on February 12, 2026 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 2 Comments

A rich poppy-filled pastry becomes a lens on Purim, exploring the uneasy mix of survival, ritualized rage, and ethical responsibility toward all living beings.

A white ceramic bowl filled with a thick, velvety Ritschert stew, consisting of white beans, barley, and cubes of smoked tofu. A fresh lovage leaf is placed in the center as a garnish, with the rest of the green herb bunch blurred in the background.
Soups & Stews/Vegan/Vegan Mains

Jewish-Viennese Shabbos Stew: “Ritschert,” The Lost Cholent of Vienna (Vegan Recipe)

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 4 Comments

The closer the Cholent traveled toward the Vienna coffeehouses, the more the bean yielded to barely. Master this "slippery" Jewish 2:1 ratio of pulse to grain !

Two Vegan Topfenknödel (soy skyr dumplings) coated in toasted nut crumbs, served hot on a white plate over chilled Zwetschkenröster (plum compote). One dumpling is sliced in half to show the light, tender interior.
Desserts & Pastries/Vegan

Vegan Topfenknödel (Soy Skyr Dumplings) with Plum Compote (Zwetschkenröster) – History, Meaning & Recipe

Posted on November 10, 2025 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 1 Comment

A beloved Viennese dessert reborn without dairy or cruelty — where soy skyr replaces Topfen and Jewish history meets the ethics of contemporary cooking.

Close-up of four Vegan Plum Dumplings (Zwetschkenknödel) on a white plate, coated in a Jewish dry-toasted nut crumb and dusted with powdered sugar. One dumpling is cut in half, exposing the beautiful, hot, unpitted plum interior.
Desserts & Pastries/Vegan

Plum Dumplings (Zwetschkenknödel): A Jewish Viennese Story of Memory, Nuts, and Tradition (Vegan Soy Skyr Recipe)

Posted on November 4, 2025 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 0 Comment

The vegan adaptation of Austrian Zwetschkenknödel (plum dumplings) connects history, kashrut, and ethical defiance. A Jewish recipe for taste & memory

Desserts & Pastries/Vegan

Vegan “Lekach” (Jewish Honey Cake): Date-Sweetened Tradition from Vienna. The Politics of Jewish Food

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 2 Comments

This isn't just a recipe. It's a sweet lesson in history, a journey back to the ancient sweetness of dates, and a modern act of ethical courage.

Sacher-Masoch Torte (100% Pure Chocolate and Redcurrant Pleasure)
Desserts & Pastries/Freud & Food/Vegan

Sachertorte Variation: The Sacher-Masoch Cake — A Masochist’s Confection of Memory, Contradiction, and the Jewish Soul of Vienna (Whole-Food Plant-Based, Vegan, SOS-free)

Posted on July 3, 2025 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 4 Comments

Jewish Viennese history tied to Freud & Sacher-Masoch. Get the healthy, rich chocolate cake recipe for a Vegan WFPB, SOS-free Sachertorte twist.

"Kaiserschmarrn", the emperor's messy soufflé pancake in all its glory!
Desserts & Pastries/Eggs/Freud & Food

“Kaiserschmarrn,” Vienna’s Shredded Soufflé Pancake: The Emperor’s Light & Fluffy “Mess” With A “Roasted” Fruit Stew at Pre-Holocaust Kosher Restaurant Neugröschel (Recipe).

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 10 Comments

Make Vienna's light & fluffy "Emperor's Mess" – Kaiserschmarrn! Get the authentic shredded pancake recipe with roasted fruit stew, tied to Jewish history.

Viennese "Vanilla" Steak Vienna's Garlic Steak with 18 cloves of garlic gravy
Freud & Food/Meat

The Garlic People’s (aka The Jews’) Steak: A Roasted Garlic Take on Vienna’s Classic “Vanilla” Steak (Garlic Steak Recipe).

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 6 Comments

Vienna's "Vanilla" Steak, a garlic-infused classic: Learn its surprising name origin & the deep identity ties of garlic from Talmud to Freud in this recipe.

Here is a beef tartare prepared as my son likes it, with plenty of capers, gherkins and a healthy dose of Tabasco.
Appetizers/Freud & Food/Meat

Beef/Steak Tartare: Sigmund Freud’s Breakfast, and Favorite Dish of Claude Lanzmann and Thomas Bernhard (Freudian Brunch Recipe)

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 17 Comments

Unpack the Freudian Brunch with Steak Tartare: Learn its controversial past, Martha Freud's struggle, and its meaning for Freud, Lanzmann & Bernhard.

artichokes 3 ways - deep fried Jewish-style, braised Roman-style and confit (carciofi alla giudia, carciofi alla romana & carciofi conditi with vinaigrette)
Appetizers/Freud & Food/Vegan

Roman Jewish Artichoke’s 3+ Ways: Braised, Deep Fried & Confit/Sous-Vide. Sigmund Freud’s Dream About The Worm In His Favorite Flower, The Jewish Thistle (3+ Vegan Recipes)

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 4 Comments

Explore Freud's fascination with the "Jewish Thistle." Discover 3+ authentic Roman Jewish artichoke recipes: deep-fried, braised, confit – all vegan.

Real Sachertorte by Leschanz the chocolate king at Cafe Schwarzenberg in Vienna (closer)
Coffee Houses & Pastry Shops/Desserts & Pastries/Freud & Food

Sachertorte, the Jewish Masculine Chocolate Cake from Vienna’s Lost Coffeehouse Past: Sigmund Freud’s Beloved Dessert (Recipe)

Posted on February 6, 2018 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 28 Comments

The surprising Jewish origins of Vienna's iconic Sachertorte, Sigmund Freud's beloved "masculine" chocolate cake. Get the authentic recipe to make it at home.

This juicy, “saftig” in German (of utmost importance here!), and lean Viennese beef cut is called Mageres Meisel (or Mäuserl) and is a typical piece of meat served as boiled beef. Here I serve it with a small ladle of soup, topped with chives, coarse sea salt, alongside a potato rösti (a latke) and, of course, horseradish (I had my beloved apple-horseradish and beet-horseradish just outside the frame).
Freud & Food/Meat/Soups & Stews

The Freuds’ Beloved Tafelspitz: Vienna’s Simmered Beef (Recipe & History)

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 19 Comments

Dive into the rich history of Tafelspitz, Freud's beloved Viennese beef. Explore the family's culinary life, their butcher, and get the authentic recipe.

Freud's asparagus the vegan wiener
Appetizers/Freud & Food/Vegan

Freud’s Asparagus: The Vegan Wiener – Two Modern Takes (French White & Italian Green)

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 6 Comments

A story of Freud's asparagus! Two vegan Wiener recipes (French white & Italian green) reveal Viennese culinary history & surprising Freudian symbolism.

Gourmet Hand Matzo Brei Sweet and Savory with Caramelized Onions, Truffle and Honey on a plate
Breakfast/Desserts & Pastries/Eggs/Freud & Food

Gourmet Hand Matzo Brei: Sweet & Savory with Caramelized Onions, Truffle and Honey (A Galitzianer In Vienna’s Recipe)

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 4 Comments

A typical Galitzianer in Vienna recipe: Gourmet Matzo Brei! Enjoy sweet & savory flavors, deeply rooted in Jewish tradition & culinary history.

Golden Souffléd Schnitzel, Vienna’s Famous Puffed-Up Golden Calf Cutlet The Fried Icon and Its Surprising History (Recipe) #WienerSchnitzel
Freud & Food/Meat

Golden Souffléd Schnitzel, Vienna’s Famous Puffed-Up Golden Calf Cutlet: The Fried Icon and Its Surprising History (Wiener Schnitzel Recipe)

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 12 Comments

This isn't just schnitzel! Vienna's golden calf cutlet, its unique souffléd crisp, and unexpected links to Jewish history, Freud & controversial symbolism.

Perfect Potato Latkes: Yiddish vs. Hebrew & Schmaltz vs. Oil (Recipe) #Erdäpfelpuffer #Rösti
Appetizers/Breakfast/Desserts & Pastries/Freud & Food/Side dishes

Perfect Potato Latkes: Yiddish vs. Hebrew & Schmaltz vs. Oil (Contemporary Viennese Potato Pancake Recipe)

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Nino Shaye Weiss / 3 Comments

Fry perfect Viennese potato latkes! Delve into the Yiddish vs. Hebrew & Schmaltz vs. Oil debates. Get the contemporary recipe and its their rich history.

ALL-TIME FAVORITES
  • Celery Root (Celeriac) Schnitzel: Old Vienna’s Naturally Vegan Classic. How Vienna’s Golden Calf Became Israel’s National Dish — and Returned, Vegan. Celery Root (Celeriac) Schnitzel: Old Vienna’s Naturally Vegan Classic. How Vienna’s Golden Calf Became Israel’s National Dish — and Returned, Vegan.
  • Vegan Challah = Traditional Water Challah (i.e., Israeli “Hasidic” Challah): The Challah From The Famous Viznitz Bakery In Bnei Brak (Parve Recipe) Vegan Challah = Traditional Water Challah (i.e., Israeli “Hasidic” Challah): The Challah From The Famous Viznitz Bakery In Bnei Brak (Parve Recipe)
  • Jewish-Viennese Shabbos Stew: “Ritschert,” The Lost Cholent of Vienna (Vegan Recipe) Jewish-Viennese Shabbos Stew: “Ritschert,” The Lost Cholent of Vienna (Vegan Recipe)
  • Classic Viennese Apple Strudel: Easy Secrets for Crispy Perfection & Its Playful Wordplay (Vegan Wiener Strudel Recipe) Classic Viennese Apple Strudel: Easy Secrets for Crispy Perfection & Its Playful Wordplay (Vegan Wiener Strudel Recipe)
  • Hearty Vegan Goulash with Soy Curls: The Authentic and Comforting Paprika Stew, Reimagined for Shabbat and Sukkot Hearty Vegan Goulash with Soy Curls: The Authentic and Comforting Paprika Stew, Reimagined for Shabbat and Sukkot
  • Vienna’s Best Pastry Shops: Must-Visit Konditoreien & Patisseries — The Ultimate Local’s Guide Beyond Sacher Vienna’s Best Pastry Shops: Must-Visit Konditoreien & Patisseries — The Ultimate Local’s Guide Beyond Sacher
  • Sachertorte Variation: The Sacher-Masoch Cake — A Masochist’s Confection of Memory, Contradiction, and the Jewish Soul of Vienna (Whole-Food Plant-Based, Vegan, SOS-free) Sachertorte Variation: The Sacher-Masoch Cake — A Masochist’s Confection of Memory, Contradiction, and the Jewish Soul of Vienna (Whole-Food Plant-Based, Vegan, SOS-free)
  • Fluffy Vegan Matzo Balls: Kneidlach That Won’t Fall Apart (Passover Recipe) Fluffy Vegan Matzo Balls: Kneidlach That Won’t Fall Apart (Passover Recipe)
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