Restaurant Seders: Are They Kosher?

Passover will be here within a week's time.Many households,whether they be Orthodox, Conservative or just holiday observant only will be getting ready for these week of special eating and prayers. However there is growing minority that are nixing the holiday at home and eating out. Instead of celebrating at home, they will be turning to their favorite restaurants to provide them with tradition and good food. Restaurant seders was the big topic in Joan's Nathan;article in yesterday's New York Times Dining section. She wrote about different Manhattan restaurants that will provide everything a traditional first night of passover at home has. The entry way is open for the coming of Elijah, and the prayers books are on the tables. Food is a spin on the traditional. Charoset, which represents the slavery the Jews had known under the pharaohs, is taken to gourmet heights by replacing the traditional almonds with hazelnuts.. Also Manischewitz wine, another tradition in recipes has been replaced with Italian Moscato wine. A Passover favorite such as braised short ribs has a gourmet flair with the addition of of shiitaki and crimini mushrooms along with port wine and ginger. However not all the practices are strictly Kosher. Matzoh is fried instead of baked to give it a crispier , more palatable taste. It is also made with non Kosher or tref flours - a huge Passover taboo. However the chef who created it could not find any Kosher flour hence the discretion. While some very religious Jews may find this sacrilegious there are some who embrace the new spins. This updates the holiday and makes it fresh and exciting for younger generations. Eating out on Passover makes perfect sense. It allows for families to be together without the hassle of endless shopping, prepping and cooking. Dining out also provides delicious variations on holiday classics from forward thinking chefs who still respect the meaning of Passover. There is still tradition but with a new feel to it.

Holiday Planning

With Passover and Easter coming fast , it's time to sit down and start planning. Both holidays center around big dinners which means a lot of planning an d prepping. These are the days for everything from shopping to baking . These are also the days to start giving serious thought as to what you want to serve.

Even though Passover beings Monday and Easter next Sunday, you should be at your grocery , stocking up. There are so many things to buy, from simple paper napkins to elaborate cuts to cans and basic needs. Nw is a good time to decide what meats you'll be serving along with what sides. Catholics usually have their Easter foods blessed on Holy Saturday so be sure tot have your foods ready for that as well. If you have a giant freezer, buy the main course now and add to it all during the week.Of course with Passover all leavened breads have to be thrown out (or just given to your local ducks or birds) Remember matzhoh can b e used for a variety of things , even flour so have enough of it in the house. As for Easter , remember this is Holy Week as well and most people prefer to forgo meats, especially on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Sub in fish and eggs for quick dinners or lunches.

Easter also brings in tables laden with sweets. This is the time to buy mixes or cake flour along with confectioner's sugar. decide whether you'll be making the fun egg or bunny cakes or cookies to serve to guests. Easter brunches call for lovely fruit salads so be sure to get your fruits at the end of the week.if you;re making your own Easter candy., now is the time to stock up on dark , white and milk chocolate morsels. Check your molds tot make sure they're OK to use. If not then get new ones. Also make sure you have plenty of colorful saran wrap and ribbons for wrapping them.

This is the start of the holiday season. Now is the time to sit down and decide what you're serving and for how large a crowd. It's the perfect time to get everything you want. That way you'll have a stress free Easter or Passover, without the burden of running out last minute.