Passover

Question: What’s the difference between matzoh and cardboard?
Answer: Cardboard doesn’t leave crumbs in the rug.

You may think this is a joke but it’s not. Matzoh leaves a ton of crumbs in the rug. It’s a nightmare to clean. Almost as bad as a toddler eating quinoa but we must simply anticipate it and deal with it because it’s good for them/us. Quinoa is good because it’s healthy, it’s a complete protein, but matzoh, as a tradition, is good for us as well. Yes, it is usually made of white flour and has a lot of carbs but It makes us feel connected to our past. Not eating leavened bread makes us remember our ancestors who struggled to escape slavery which is what Passover is all about.

Whether you are hosting or attending a Seder this Passover, you have a potentially stressful week ahead of you.  If you anticipate the stress and deal with it, you may be able to enjoy it more.

But how?

Challenging family dynamics are not always able to be controlled but the food preparation is.

Please make it as potluck-y as you can. No one will care and if they do, maybe you should find out why they don’t want to make something and see if you can help them with practical instruction, cooking with them or a pep talk.”Why should you do all the work? Unless of course you want to because you enjoy the accolades. Your hostessing is sufficient and don’t forget, you’ll have all those nasty matzoh crumbs to vacuum up.

Please plan your menu way ahead of time. Decide on the dishes you make and don’t go nuts (although nuts are allowed on Passover). Simple and delicious is the way to go if you want to be mellow the night of. Make lists, then shop, then prepare, then store. If you can’t store your Passover dishes for too long, perhaps you need to reconsider your menu. The goal is as to have many dishes as possible  made a day or two before. Believe me, it is possible and below are a few to start with.

passoverHilda’s Forgotten Meringue Cookies
Makes 2 dozen
Preheat oven to 350

  • Foil line cookie sheets.
  • Preferably use a metal bowl
  • 2 egg whites at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • pinch salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup of chocolate chips
  • 1 cup of chopped nuts

Whip egg whites until very stiff.
Add sugar 1 tsp at a time while continuing to whip.
Add salt.
Add vanilla and then gently stir in chips and nuts.

Spoon out onto foil sheets and drop a few more nuts and chips into each mound of meringue if need be.
Put in oven, close door, turn off oven.
Take out in morning
Enjoy!

Jacquie Ruderman’s Famous Charoset

  • 3 cups chopped walnuts (or almonds)
  • 1 cup craisins (I like them chopped)
  • 1 cup dried prunes, chopped in a food processor
  • 3 peeled, chopped apples
  • 1 cup red wine-omit if it is for kids (Kosher wine if need be or grape juice)
  • 1/2 cup Orange juice
  • 2 1/2 tsp brown sugar

Combine all together and leave as is or stew together in a saucepan until it is a texture that you like-keep tasting it. This can be served with yogurt, as a dessert by itself, topping for ice cream, etc.

Now, for the guest dynamics.

Please make sure to assign guests certain specific items to bring so that there is no room for a leavening faux pas. For example, bread crumbs are considered leavened, croutons are a no -no on a salad and for most Ashkenazi Jews, Beans and grains are not allowed. Communication is the key here.

Here’s a useful guide for Passover Foods 101

Lastly, in order to have a stress-free holiday, please tell your guests how important it is to arrive on time. No one wants to delay the ceremony which already lasts a long time in most Seders. The food is traditionally served after the ceremony so being late can cause the guests to feel uncomfortable (and ravenous) as well as the hosts.