What to Include During a Passover Meal: |
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| 2/15/2015 | |
Preparing food during the Passover period can be difficult, and the additional restrictions on food during this time mean that it can be difficult to find a suitable recipe for your evening meals. There are a number of traditions which mean that you have to be prepared to ensure that the meal is properly prepared before it can be eaten... Preparing food during the Passover period can be difficult, and the additional restrictions on food during this time mean that it can be difficult to find a suitable recipe for your evening meals. There are a number of traditions which mean that you have to be prepared to ensure that the meal is properly prepared before it can be eaten. Restrictions during Passover There are several foods which cannot be included during the week of Passover, and are therefore not allowed to be used in the making of a Passover Meal. This includes all of the grains and fermented foods which are forbidden during this period, including bagels, muffins, biscuits and cereals, wheat or spelt flour, and any liquids which are made from grain alcohol. Food options for Passover Although you might be rather disheartened by the number of food restrictions during this period, it is still possible to create a fantastic Passover meal every evening during the period. There are plenty of foods which are available, including: Matzo breads, which are unleavened foods rather like large crackers; eggs and dairy products; meat, although it cannot be mixed with diary; nuts excluding peanuts and sesame seeds; and quinoa. You can also include a range of vegetables and fruits, excluding only those which are limited by the Passover restrictions. You can also use a number of condiments as long as they are not made using fermented cereals (so, for example, malt vinegar would not be allowed). You may also use a range of ingredients such as tea, coffee, sugar, milk, cream cheese and butter, but new packets must be opened, and the ingredients must not have been used prior to Passover itself. You should also be able to spice up your foods with spices and herbs. There are also some food suppliers who will provide you with all the kosher ingredients that you need during Passover, including unleavened breads, biscuits and cakes which can be used during the Passover week and other products which have been prepared without the use of forbidden ingredients. Other things to consider during Passover In addition to ensuring that your recipes are kosher, it is also important to observe the traditions of Jewish Passover when it comes to the preparation and storage of foods. Firstly, all Jewish households will remove leavened foods from their home in the days before Passover starts, known as making the house Kasherl’Pasach, which means Kosher for the Pesach or Passover period. In addition, all foods which are used to prepare leavened foods are not used during the Passover, or the day before the Passover week begins. Most Jewish households will use special kitchen utensils for this period, including dishes for dairy and for meat. |