In Thursday night's installment of Chandelier's Facebook-Fans-On-Demand Planning Advice series,we are taking on Passover 2011. This traditional dinner celebrates one of the holiest days of the year for Jewish families--and is a wonderful time to come together and enjoy a meal. While the traditions and prayers should remain the same, there's no reason not to spice things up a bit with the presentation--so long as matzoh is on the menu! Here are some items I think would make great additions to any seder table:
MOD YOUR MANISCHEWITZ
Kosher wine is a mainstay, but I suggest picking up some stemless glassware like this set $24.99 at Macy's. Traditionally, there are four glasses of wine (and a fifth for Elijah!)...so these will not only add a touch of Calvin Klein to your table, but will prevent inevitable spillage on your beautiful linens from reaching over to pass the brisket.
SPEAKING OF WINE, THINK BEYOND THE BASICS
While Manischewitz will always make an appearance at my holiday table, I urge to to check out the incredible selection of kosher wines out there. Moscato, Chardonnay, Reisling, Shiraz, Merlot--even Pomengranate wine is now available for your choosing. Check out sites like OnlineKosherWine.com (here are their best-sellers), and if you're a real Jewish oenophile join the Kosher Wine Society (yes, there is one) who hosts regular events at NYC's City Winery.
SUGARED ALMOND SALAD
SALAD
- 12 cups washed and dried salad greens of your choice (spinach, mixed spring greens, arugula, whatever you desire)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup slivered almonds
- 3 11-oz. cans mandarin oranges, drained (strawberries, grapes, and dried cherries also work)
- 1 purple onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp. parsley, snipped
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Preparation:
1. Shake all dressing ingredients in a tightly covered jar. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
2. Cook and stir almonds and sugar in a skillet over low heat until sugar is melted and nuts are coated. Cool on wax paper. Break apart. Set aside.
3. Toss dressing with salad greens and arrange on plates. Top with orange sections, onion slices and sugared almonds.
2. Cook and stir almonds and sugar in a skillet over low heat until sugar is melted and nuts are coated. Cool on wax paper. Break apart. Set aside.
3. Toss dressing with salad greens and arrange on plates. Top with orange sections, onion slices and sugared almonds.
From: Our Customers Favorites by Paula Levine Weinstein and Julie Komerofshy Remmer (Columbus, OH)
For those of us who celebrate Passover, we've gotten used to "Kosher-for-Passover" desserts which generally consist of macaroons and flourless chocolate cake. But GOOGLE is a beautiful thing! There are so many kosher sweets and recipes out there to choose from! So, get busy whipping these yummy haystack macaroons and chocolate-covered matzoh crunch, and order some kosher candy like chocolate marshmallow twists, Barton's chocolate lollycones, and decadent fudge brownies (yes! brownies). Then, set your kitchen island up as a dessert buffet to rival any Bat Mitzvah---use cake plates, platters, candy dishes and martini glasses to create your spread. Your guests will surely leave in a sugar coma!
This post is dedicated to my mom, who hosts Passover with aplomb every year!
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