Passover Seder

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Last night was the first night of Passover.

The seder is the dinner where we all gather 'round and read the story of Passover, how Moses freed the slaves from Egypt.
We eat unleavened bread (matzoh), and other symbolic dishes on this important holiday.

Last night was the first seder, and my friend Deborah always hosts the first night. 30+ people, Jews and gentiles alike. Neighbors, friends and family. All are welcome to this celebration.



She moves her furniture out of the living room and sets up a big horseshoe table, and everyone participates in the readings, and everyone eats. (click here for last year's seder).



My job is always to bring the haroset, the fruit and nut spread that symbolizes the mortar that the slaves used to hold the bricks together.

Sounds appetizing, doesn't it?
I promise, it is. It's delicious. I make it with dates, nuts, apples and sweet wine. Click here for the recipe.



Some highlights....there was too much food to mention (or photograph!)

The BEST brisket.....recipe to follow



The tallest person always has to adjust the lighting (that would be my husband)



Matzoh Ball Soup



Gefilte fish



I also bring the macaroons. They are always a crowd pleaser.



This year for some reason, they came out flat! I think it was because I used all natural coconut, the kind that is dried and organic, instead of the usual bag of sweetened coconut flakes that I usually use. Also maybe because I baked them on a rainy day? I know sometimes humidity has something to do with bad baking results.



They were ugly, but still tasted good.

Happy Passover!



Comments

Haroset is delicious. Would love to try yours! Happy Passover, Stacey!
Ciao Chow Linda said…
What a nice gathering of friends and family. I'd love to try your haroset AND your macaroons too Stacey. Happy Passover.
Happy Passover Stacey! I love how that Matzoh ball soup looks, everything looks beautiful, looks like you had a great time.
Linda said…
Happy Passover Sta!! Looks like a great time!!! Love you Lin
The JR said…
I remember your post from last year. I still think it's cool to learn about different traditions.

All the food looks fantastic.
Unknown said…
Dil,

You and Deborah are a pair!!
What a beautiful setting and what BEAUTIFUL FOOD!! Your evening must have been delightful.
with love,
Mil
Dana said…
Someday, I would like to celebrate Passover with you. We almost never do unless someone invites us over. I don't know enough to host. Best to you.
Michele said…
Happy Passover! I love that you said that everyone was there no matter if they were jewish or not. It's so nice to learn about other people's holidays and beliefs!

Sounds like a lot of fun! Sorry to hear about your macaroons.
kat said…
Looks like a wonderful celebration!
Jen_from_NJ said…
Happy Passover! What a great celebration with lots of fabulous food.

My daughter was so excited to attend her very first seder. I can't wait to hear about it!
Ellen said…
Hi Sta! My friends and I had a very unorthodox Seder at our weekly Lenten soup and bread supper..my first..with some of the traditional foods, including haroset (which I would NOT use for bricks...lol). Would love to try those macaroons!

Happy Passover..

love, El
A wonderful tradition! Everything looks so good! Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

Rosa
Stacey, what a wonderful tradition you share with friends. I would give anything to be your neighbor.

Happy Passover,
Sam
Lisa in DE said…
Happy Passover, Stacey. Thank you for the stories and recipes. A very special holiday. Lisa
Dewi said…
We had wonderful pesach as well, but was pretty small crowd compare to yours. But, my family in Israel for sure had a big crowd like yours. This is by far is my favorite holiday, although it's such a long process before we get into the eating part, I always enjoy it. Happy passover to you and your family Stacey!
lisa is cooking said…
Sounds like a great celebration! I love it when there's too much food to mention.
Foodiewife said…
I had the honor of being a guest as seder last year. I loved it! I am craving Matzoh Ball soup, so that will be my attempt at making it from scratch!
dm said…
Chag Sameach!
I did my usual mock chopped liver (I'm a vegetarian and my guests are meat eaters).
I did for them chicken breasts stuffed with mushrooms and rosemary. My main was broccoli knishes. We had salad, broccoli with toasted almonds on top, new potato salad.
The best was the dessert. I did for the first time a blueberry and banana sorbet which was fantastic.
Last year I did a lemon sorbet and served it in hollowed out frozen lemons. I also served homemade toll house cookies.
Still haven't had matzoh brei (fried matzoh) yet but maybe tomorrow.
Tonight is stuffed roasted veggies.
I like Pesach, I like trying new recipes for it.
Lori Lynn said…
Love your Passover post Stace! (As always).

I have been so busy, so I am a little late in wishing you a Happy Passover! I was in Chicago for Passover, now that I am home, I had time to write about it. And upload a video. It took me hours to figure out how to get my video on there as it was incompatible with my program. So I finally converted it to Youtube.

Looking forward to reading your other recent posts.
LL
P.S. In Chicago I had lunch with Marie (Proud Italian Cook) and Courtney (Coco Cooks)!
Lori Lynn said…
Love your Passover post Stace! (As always).

I have been so busy, so I am a little late in wishing you a Happy Passover! I was in Chicago for Passover, now that I am home, I had time to write about it. And upload a video. It took me hours to figure out how to get my video on there as it was incompatible with my program. So I finally converted it to Youtube.

Looking forward to reading your other recent posts.
LL
P.S. In Chicago I had lunch with Marie (Proud Italian Cook) and Courtney (Coco Cooks)!
Linda said…
Chag Sameach!
Hope you had a Zissen Pesach!
I am still recovering from our Seder...:)