The Seders take care of themselves with family recipes passed down through generations. Once the flurry of activity dies down from the Seders, meals are hard to make and it is hard to duplicate the elegance of the Seder table and to keep excitement up. Passover should inspire memories and I hope these dishes become requested family favorites for years to come.
Shepherd’s Pie is bubbly, delicious and nary a drop of matzo in sight! This crowd pleasing casserole is a snap to prepare.
During the holiday, I want to spend more time with family and less time in the kitchen. This do-ahead dish is filling and can be assembled ahead of time, kept in the refrigerator while you do something else and then popped into the oven to be heated through.
I have modernized the recipe by replacing the mashed potatoes with garlicky parsnip and cauliflower puree. The vegetables make a creamy and delicious puree with the added benefit of having your decadent creamy mash and eating your veggies too.
Moussaka − All right this dish is a bit of a potschke , but it is complexly flavored, amazingly delicious and satisfying. This do-ahead dish is perfect for lunch after synagogue or a weeknight supper.
Chocolate Cinnamon Crumb Cake − My husband, who is also a chef, and must have his cake and eat it too, even during Passover, created this recipe. He sprang it on me with no warning and certainly not during the chag. He knows all too well of my dislike for matzo and all dishes matzo related.
I requested another piece and he triumphantly produced the slice and then announced what the cake really was. I ate the cake but first had to take my foot out of my mouth!
About the Author:
Laura Frankel is the Executive Chef at Wolfgang Puck Kosher Catering at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Studies in Chicago. She is the author of Jewish Cooking For All Seasons
March 18, 2013