Entertaining for Passover

Passover is the celebration of the Jewish escape from Egyptian slavery. As described in the Book of Exodus, over 3,000 years ago God promised to help free the Jewish people by threatening a series of plagues. He instructed the Jews to mark their front doors with the blood of a lamb so He would know them and pass over them when delivering His plague.

The Jewish flight, led by Moses, lasted 40 days and 40 nights. When it was time for them to flee, they had to take unleavened bread dough with them because there was no time to let it raise.

During their long journey through the desert, their dough baked into thin crackers known as Matzoh. Today, Matzoh is the only bread product allowed to be consumed during Passover.

During their departure from Egypt, the Jews came to the Red Sea. In order to help them cross, Moses parted the waters. As the Egyptian army followed behind them, the waters closed in, drowning the army and saving the Jews.

Today, the Jewish celebration of Passover lasts for 8 days. All of the customs practiced during the celebration are a commemoration of the suffering and savior of the Jewish people, including the celebration of the Seder, a Hebrew word meaning order.

True to its meaning, Seder, which is observed on the first two nights of Passover, is practiced in a particular order and includes rituals, songs, prayers, and foods symbolizing the struggles and triumphs of the Jewish people.

Charoset

Symbolizing the mortar that the Jewish slaves used in their labor, this dish is a traditional part of the Passover meal.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium apples
• 1 1/2 cups walnut halves
• 1/2 cup sweet red wine
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 Tblsp. packed brown sugar

Directions:

Peel, core and finely dice the apples. In a dry saute pan, lightly toast the walnuts until they become aromatic. Let them cool and coarsely chop them. Place the apples and walnuts in a mixing bowl and combine with wine, cinnamon and brown sugar.

This satisfying and delicious soup is such a comfort food. Once you try it, you will want to have it more often than just on holidays. Here is a quick and easy version that is sure to please.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tblsp. butter
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 6 eggs
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 3 Tblsp. freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 1/2 cups matzoh meal
• 96 oz. chicken broth

Directions:

In a saute pan, over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the onion until tender. Let cool.

Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a large stock pot. While waiting for the broth to boil, in a bowl, lightly beat the eggs, add in the onions, salt & pepper, parsley and matzoh meal. Stir to combine.

Form matzoh balls, about the size of golf balls and drop into the boiling broth. The matzoh balls are done when they rise to the top. Serve the soup immediately.

Beef Brisket

Another dish traditional for Passover. This brisket recipe is easy to make and mouth-wateringly delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 beef brisket
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 Pkg onion soup mix
• 4 onions, sliced
• 10 oz. ginger ale
• 1/2 cup red wine

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place the sliced onion on the bottom of a Dutch oven. Put the brisket on top of the onions. Combine the ketchup, onion soup mix, ginger ale and wine. Pour over the brisket.

Cook for 2 1/2 hours.

Sauteed Carrots

Simple and sweet, these sauteed carrots are the perfect accompaniment for your Passover brisket.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. carrots
• 1/3 cup water
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 2 Tblsp. unsalted butter
• 1 Tblsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions:

Peel the carrots and cut them on the diagonal into 1/4 inch slices. Place them into a large saute pan and season with salt & pepper. Add the water and bring to a boil over medium-low heat. Cover and continue cooking 8 minutes. Add the butter and toss to coat. Remove from heat and toss with parsley.

Since no flour is allowed during Passover, try these delicious Baked Apples for dessert.

Because there are so many items which must be placed on the Passover table in order to perform the prayers and rituals that occur during the Seder, it is best to keep your tablescape simple and elegant.

When I think of Judaism, I think blue and silver. Cover your table with a beautiful deep blue tablecloth. Add a couple of beautiful silver candlesticks and an arrangement of various types of all white flowers for a striking centerpiece.

Purchase some inexpensive fuzzy silver ponytail holders to use for napkin rings and for elegant place cards write each guest's name on a small piece of white cardboard. Slip the cardboard inside a wallet-sized, silver picture frame and set a frame at each place setting.

Since their blood was used to save them, lambs are a sacred part of Passover. Enjoy making these Cottony Lambs with your kids this holiday season.

Materials:

• black construction paper
• cotton balls
• glue
• crayons

Directions:

With their fingers spread as far apart as possible, trace your child's hand on the black paper. Have your child cut out their hand print. The thumb becomes the lamb's head and the four fingers become the legs. Have your child glue cotton balls on the body of the lamb and draw a face with crayons.

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