Fast-Breaking Fish

The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, begins at sundown and concludes when sundown the next day completes the 24-hour fast.

The transition from fast to feast should be a slow one, beginning with a light meal. Swedish Potato and Lox Casserole, a savory blend of potatoes, lox (smoked salmon), onions and dill, is an excellent way to break the fast. Serve it with toasted bagels.

Most of the work can be done in advance, and the dish is ready to serve when you return from synagogue. If you steam the potatoes in advance, it can be prepared in only 30 minutes and is delicious when eaten hot or cold. Tea, flavored with lemon and honey, is served with the traditional honey cake for dessert.

SWEDISH POTATO AND LOX CASSEROLE

My Swedish friend Kerstin Marsh is a great cook, and she serves this family specialty as a first course. I think it is a perfect addition to a Yom Kippur break-the-fast meal.

8 white or red boiling potatoes (about 1 3/4 pounds), peeled

2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces, plus additional for greasing baking dish

8 large slices smoked salmon

1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons snipped dill

Salt, pepper

1 1/2 cups whipping cream

3 tablespoons bread crumbs

* Steam potatoes over rapidly boiling water just until tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from steamer and, when cool enough to handle, slice thin.

* Arrange half of potatoes in bottom of buttered 8-inch square baking dish. Arrange slices of salmon on top of potatoes. Sprinkle with onion, dill and salt and pepper to taste. Repeat with top layer of remaining sliced potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

* Pour cream over potato mixture. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and dot with pieces of butter. Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown and cooked through, about 25 minutes. Serve hot or cold.

6 servings. Each serving contains: 382 calories; 516 mg sodium; 97 mg cholesterol; 27 grams fat; 28 grams carbohydrates; 8 grams protein; 0.61 gram fiber.

Zeidler is the author of “Master Chefs Cook Kosher” and the soon-to-be-released “30-Minute Kosher Cook.”