Why the connection between food and feasts?
“By connecting food to the feasts, we enter into a greater experience of the holy days as the ceremonies engage our sense of smell and taste, and the foods we eat help to create memories for a lifetime.”
-Mitch Forman, Messiah in the Passover
Matzah Ball Soup
This soup, favored by the Ashkenazic Jews, is made from a mixture of matzah meal and chicken fat and is the traditional soup served on Passover. We all know that it was our grandmother who made the best matzah ball soup, so no two recipes are the same, except that the standard soup includes chicken soup and matzah balls. In some Jewish homes, soft noodles will be added to the soup, along with carrots and sometimes celery, etc.
Egg Noodle Kugel
Noodle kugel (COO-gull) is a casserole of noodles drenched in an egg mixture. It is made with egg noodles, so it is kosher for Passover. When it is done, you will be introduced to a savory meal that has sweetness to it as well.
Brisket
Brisket is always a favorite at Passover season. In fact my family would always prepare a roast brisket for the Passover Seder. Here is the recipe my grandma used, my mom used, and now I use.
Chopped Liver
Chopped liver is part of most Jewish people’s upbringing. My two grandmothers made their chopped liver a little differently from each other, but both were tasty. This recipe combines the best of each. Chopped liver is a developed taste, but to get the full Jewish experience at Passover, we recommend you at least try a little bit on a piece of matzah.
Tzimmes
Tzimmes (TSIM-ess) is one of those Jewish dishes that doesn’t sound good when reading the ingredients, but one taste of this gooey, sticky, roasted vegetable dish will have you wanting more! The sweetness of this dish reminds us of the sweetness of redemption.
Macaroons
Macaroons are made every Passover season. They are unleavened and the egg whites mixed with the coconut binds the cookie together. This recipe allows the sugar to spread to the edges and caramelize. These cookies are so easy to make, yet they taste so good. For a variation, add the cocoa powder to the mixture and make chocolate macaroons.