Preparing the pre-Tisha B’av meal requires careful planning. After a week of fish and dairy meals, another fish dish won’t be appealing. With the rush to get the kids to bed before going to shul, the dinner must be a guaranteed hit. Salty foods like feta and vinaigrettes are off the table, and it has to be easy and quick to prepare to avoid total exhaustion before the fast begins.

This 9-day menu addresses all these needs for my family. For added hydration, I’ll include wedges of fresh watermelon and finish with a kid-friendly dessert like cookies or muffins.

1. Soft Dinner Rolls from the Nitra Cookbook

Many recipes for dinner rolls call for butter and milk, but these rolls come out perfectly soft and fluffy with absolutely NO dairy. While they definitely can be served with butter, they’re also scrumptious fleishigs!

2. Hearty Roasted Vegetable Soup by Faigy Grossman

I know, I know. Chavi, you’ll never let me forget that you thought of this one and also even tested it for me! Is a public thank you enough? In any case, my sis sure is right — this soup is irresistible, with incredible flavor, due to the roasted veggies and spice combo. A “best-seller” label for this one!

3. Spinach Cheese Quiche and Tomato Salad by Rena Tuchinsky

This quiche is perfect for Shavuos, but even better for supper! Wow your family with this delicious meal that was a staple in my house growing up and hopefully will be in yours too.

4. Quinoa and Sweet Potato Side Salad by Victoria Dwek

What do you make for a side that’s not rice or potatoes? You don’t have to only think along the lines of “I have to make a protein and a grain and a vegetable.” And the alternative to rice doesn’t have to be pasta, or barley, or couscous, or any other grain. And the alternative to potatoes doesn’t have to be broccoli or green beans or any roasted veggie or or or. Combine them. Use one dressing to flavor both of them. Add greens to make it bright (this stretches the dish too) and other ingredients to complement. Yes, there’s a time for plain brown rice. But then there’s a time for—let’s call these—“side salads”: salads that really fill you up and take the place of several side dishes at once.

Click here to see all our Nine Days dinner menus!