Passover Recipes: 5 Delicious Dishes to Celebrate the Holiday
Table of Contents
Introduction
Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays, commemorating the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. It is a time to reflect on the journey of the Jewish people and celebrate their freedom. Central to this celebration are the symbolic foods that are eaten during Passover, each with its own unique meaning. From matzo ball soup to charoset, these foods tell the story of the exodus and are an important part of the holiday’s traditions.
In this blog post, we’ll explore five delicious Passover recipes that are sure to make your celebration unforgettable. Whether you’re hosting a Seder or simply looking for new ways to celebrate the holiday, these recipes will inspire you to embrace the flavors and traditions of Passover. So let’s get started!
Matzo Ball Soup
Matzo Ball Soup
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium pot
- Cheesecloth or tea towel
- Soup pot
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup matzo meal
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 4 carrots peeled and sliced
- 4 celery stalks sliced
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and oil together until combined.
- Add the matzo meal, salt, and pepper to the bowl and mix until well combined.
- Cover the bowl with a cheesecloth or tea towel and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil.
- Wet your hands and form the matzo mixture into 1-inch balls. Drop the balls into the boiling water, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.
- In a soup pot, bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Add the carrots and celery and cook until tender.
- Add the cooked matzo balls to the soup and serve hot.
Notes
Chicken Marbella
Chicken Marbella
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Large baking dish
Ingredients
- 4 lbs. chicken thighs bone-in and skin-on
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 cup pitted prunes
- 1/2 cup pitted green olives
- 1/4 cup capers drained
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, white wine, garlic, bay leaves, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Transfer the chicken and marinade to a large baking dish.
- Add the prunes, olives, and capers to the dish, distributing them evenly around the chicken.
- Bake the chicken for 45-50 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serve hot with a side of your choice.
Notes
Charoset
Charoset
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Food processor
Ingredients
- 2 cups peeled and finely chopped apples
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 cup sweet red wine
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples and chopped walnuts.
- Add the ground cinnamon and ground cloves and stir to combine.
- Pour the sweet red wine over the mixture and stir to combine.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- Before serving, pulse the mixture in a food processor until it reaches a paste-like consistency.
- Serve chilled as a dip for matzo.
Notes
Braised Brisket
Braised Brisket
Equipment
- Dutch oven or large pot with lid
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
Ingredients
- 4 lbs. beef brisket
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 onions sliced
- 4 carrots sliced
- 4 celery stalks sliced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Season the brisket with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the brisket to the pot and sear on all sides until browned, about 5-7 minutes per side.
- Remove the brisket from the pot and set aside.
- Add the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir to combine.
- Return the brisket to the pot and spoon the sauce over the top.
- Cover the pot with a lid and transfer to the oven.
- Bake for 3-4 hours or until the brisket is tender and falling apart.
- Remove the pot from the oven and let the brisket rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
Equipment
- 9-inch springform pan
- Double boiler or heatproof bowl and saucepan
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
Ingredients
- 1 cup hazelnuts toasted and skins removed
- 10 oz. bittersweet chocolate chopped
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter cut into pieces
- 6 large eggs separated
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Whipped cream and chopped hazelnuts for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a double boiler or heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate and butter together, stirring occasionally, until smooth and combined.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the toasted hazelnuts.
- In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat the egg yolks, sugar, and salt together until pale and thick.
- Fold the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture until no white streaks remain.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cake is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing the sides and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve the cake with whipped cream and chopped hazelnuts for garnish.
Notes
Conclusion
In this blog post, we’ve explored five delicious Passover recipes that are perfect for celebrating the holiday with family and friends. From matzo ball soup to braised brisket to flourless chocolate hazelnut cake, these dishes are sure to impress your guests and create a memorable celebration.
We started with matzo ball soup, a classic Passover dish that is both comforting and flavorful. We then explored chicken marbella, a tangy and savory main dish that combines chicken with prunes, olives, and capers. Charoset, a sweet paste made from chopped nuts, apples, and wine, was our next recipe, representing the mortar used by the Jewish slaves in Egypt. We continued with braised brisket, a hearty and flavorful main dish that is perfect for sharing. Finally, we ended with flourless chocolate hazelnut cake, a decadent and gluten-free dessert that is sure to impress any chocolate lover.
We hope these recipes have inspired you to embrace the flavors and traditions of Passover and to create a memorable celebration with your loved ones. Whether you’re hosting a Seder or simply looking for new ways to celebrate the holiday, these dishes are sure to make your Passover celebration unforgettable.