Shalom Bayis Kugel
In his family, the custom was to serve the kugel right at the beginning of the meal. Friday was a busy day. Anyone who peeked into the pots of delicious food was told that the pot’s contents were reserved for Shabbos Kodesh. By the time the men got home from shul, they were always very hungry. So, serving the kugel first took the edge off of their hunger, and allowed them to enjoy the slower pace of the Shabbos meal.
In her family, the kugel was served at the end of the meal, as a Shabbos treat. Imagine the husband’s surprise when his new wife did not serve him kugel at the beginning of the meal. Imagine his confusion when she served it to him at the end of the meal. This went on for weeks, with each one insisting that their minhag was the correct one.
Finally, the couple took their dilemma to the Rav. The Rav listened intently and gave the couple the following advise. He told the wife to make Shalom Bayis kugel. He said she could use her own recipe, but that she should make two. He instructed her to serve the first kugel at the beginning of the meal. At that point, she would be eating Shalom Bayis kugel. Then at the end of the meal, she should serve the second kugel. Then, the husband would be eating Shalom Bayis Kugel.
A simple solution. Give to one another and be happy. This Shabbos, try serving Shalom Bayis kugel, and have a Shabbat Shalom!