Passover will still be different this year as we continue to deal with the ongoing pandemic and the need to follow social-distancing guidelines while we await the full vaccine rollout. And while many of us are getting used to pivoting holiday traditions, every holiday is unique. Our usual phrase might be “next year in Jerusalem,” but let’s be honest, for now we are all hoping for “next year at Nana’s house!”
In the meantime, just because Passover Seder will likely be limited to the people in our immediate household, that doesn’t mean it won’t be a meaningful evening.
Now is the time to think about ways to make it extra special, and to embrace the unusual nature of the times. For starters, what does the holiday mean to you? What parts of it do you need to protect to feel that you really enjoyed the holiday? Whether it is taking on the role of leading the service for the first time or cooking new-to-you dishes, this Passover can be extraordinary for so much more than just what is missing.
How to Celebrate Passover Virtually
Are there family members who you never get to celebrate with? Do you usually have to alternate between your family and your spouse’s? Think about having your Passover Seder on Zoom or another platform that can accommodate everyone, so you can celebrate with the people you usually don’t get to share the holiday with. As long as everyone is using the same Haggadah, you should be able to be fully interactive and have a wonderful service.
Hosting for the first time? Start with our Passover Seder guide.
How to Celebrate Passover at Home
If everyone has Zoom fatigue, take the opportunity to create a service that means something to your family. Research Passover traditions from around the world and choose one to incorporate, check out a new Haggadah or find another way to add some new elements that fit you and your family. If you have kids, often you may spend a portion of the usual family gathering attempting to wrangle them and get them through a long adult-focused service, so this year make it all about them! Your Passover Seder could include games or kid-focused holiday project boxes like this Days Box from ModernTribe.com. Before the Seder, plan the menu with them and choose dishes that they can help prepare.
Small-Batch Passover Recipes
When it comes to the food, if you love all the traditional Passover recipes but need everything scaled down, you have options. If you have space in your freezer, think about making your recipes as-is and freeze half for future meals. You’ll never regret saving extra matzo ball soup to thaw when you’re feeling under the weather, or having braised short ribs ready to go. And of course, you can always eat Seder leftovers throughout Passover!
If you don’t have the room in your fridge and freezer, choose recipes that can be easily halved. With the exception of baking, which is science, most of your usual Seder dishes can be cut in half and still taste just as good. Remember to also reduce the size of your cooking vessel and adjust cooking times as needed. You can also take the opportunity to check out some recipes that are already set for a family your size. Whether you need a smaller brisket, potato kugel or lamb shanks, there are fabulous recipes to explore.
For more inspiration, check out our classic Passover recipes.
How to Share Food with Family
Do you usually do all of the Passover cooking? Instead, put together Seder-in-a-box kits with all of the food in reheatable containers to drop off for the other households who usually join in your meal. If yours is always a Passover pot luck, dole out the assignments and have everyone pack up their offerings for a safe, masks-on swap on someone’s porch or driveway. Be sure to include storage and heating instructions, and don’t forget the Seder plate items.
If everyone is just doing their own thing when it comes to the food, then you get the chance to get creative with a menu that suits your family! Not a fan of gefilte fish? Try Tunisian fish cakes for a delicious twist. Are you personally lukewarm on brisket? Go for an elevated leg or rack of lamb instead. Celebrating solo? Roast a Cornish hen for one instead of a chicken. Once you pick a main course, fill out the meal with some Passover side dishes you haven’t tried before.
Remember the Story of Passover
Finally, whether you are observing this year alone, with a small intimate evening for two or four, or online with the whole family, take a moment to remember that ultimately the story of Passover is the story of survival. It’s the story of a people who triumph against all odds and came out the other side stronger and more determined. What could be a more meaningful or important lesson to hear right now? However you choose to celebrate, chag pesach sameach.
Balsamic Roast Chicken
When the aroma from this dish fills your house, your family will think you spent all day cooking. But this elegant, Sunday-special roast chicken, flavored with rosemary, wine and balsamic vinegar, is surprisingly simple to make. —Tracy Tylkowski, Omaha, Nebraska
Flavorful Matzo Ball Soup
A variety of winter vegetables gives the broth for this classic Jewish soup a deep flavor. You can use a few green onions instead of the leek. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Passover Brisket
This Jewish brisket recipe is our go-to recipe for the holidays, and it's kosher for Passover. Use our expert tips to create a perfectly moist, tender brisket.
Passover Rainbow Cookies
The name "rainbow cookies" is actually a bit of a misnomer for these classic New York treats. To make the pretty layered cookies, you’ll bake three thin cakes, spread jam between them and coat with smooth melted chocolate. —Shannon Sarna, South Orange, New Jersey
Gefilte Fish
“Gefilte fish is a dish eaten by Central and Eastern European Jews of Ashkenazi descent,” explain Jeffery Moskowitz and Liz Alpern of Gefilteria, a pop-up restaurant and catering company that focuses on Jewish foods. “It’s a poached or baked appetizer of ground fish and spices that’s generally served cold and traditionally eaten on holidays and festivals.” The dish is especially popular during the Jewish holiday Passover, but can really be eaten any time of year. Learn new ways to make this trendy-again Passover classic. (Here's how to make maror to serve with gefilte fish for Passover.)
Roasted Chicken & Red Potatoes
Here's how long to bake chicken leg quarters. Pop this homey dinner in the oven for about an hour, then enjoy! It has so much flavor—the meat juices help cook the veggies just perfectly. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Apple Cake for Passover
This Passover cake combines matzo cake meal, apples and cinnamon for a delicious treat. The whipped cream is optional. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Orange-Spiced Brisket
Give tender beef a festive touch with cinnamon, cloves, coriander and a kiss of sweetness from orange and dates. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Passover Bagels
We use these traditional eggy Passover bagels to make sandwiches throughout the week. But they can also be served as rolls with dinner. —Myrna Lief, Burlington, Massachusetts
Roasted Radishes
Radishes aren't just for salads anymore. This abundant springtime veggie makes a colorful side to any meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Tzimmes
I found this tzimmes recipe a long time ago. It has become our traditional side dish for every holiday feast and is a favorite of young and old alike. It also complements chicken or turkey quite well. —Cheri Bragg, Viola, Delaware
Roasted Herb & Lemon Cauliflower
A standout cauliflower side is easy to prepare with just a few ingredients. Crushed red pepper flakes add a touch of heat. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Pistachio Baked Salmon
Next time you're rushed by last-minute guests, try this fancy, flavorful salmon. With pistachios, brown sugar and dill, it's a guaranteed hit. —Cathy Hudak, Wadsworth, Ohio
Lemon Herb Quinoa
My family is turning to quinoa more and more these days. It's a super grain that's packed with protein and vitamins. Plus, it can be paired with any kind of main course. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Mediterranean Rack of Lamb
It’s elegant. It’s special. And it will have your guests thinking you went all out. They don’t have to know how simple it is. —Susan Nilsson, Sterling, Virginia (Try these other Passover lamb recipes, too!)
Garlic and Artichoke Roasted Potatoes
I like to put this side into the oven to roast with the main dish. The artichokes give it a gourmet appeal. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
Ribbon Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
Zucchini, cucumbers and carrots are peeled into “ribbons” for this citrusy salad. We like to serve it for parties and special occasions. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Savory Rubbed Roast Chicken
In general, procedures for roasting meat apply to poultry, too. That means if you use a dry rub on a steak, a dry rub will benefit a chicken. A blend of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and cayenne go on the skin and inside the cavity for a bright, spicy roast chicken. —Margaret Cole, Imperial, Missouri
Passover Popovers
Popovers have an important role at the Passover table, substituting for bread. When puffed and golden brown, they’re ready to share. —Gloria Mezikofsky, Wakefield, Massachusetts
Sweet and Sour Brisket
Here’s one dish that never gets old in our house. Tender and juicy, with a great sweet and sour twist. We’d eat it every night if we could! —Jolie Albertazzie, Moreno Valley, California
Double-Nut Stuffed Figs
We have a family member that has diabetes, so dessert can get tricky. These sweet, nutritious stuffed figs keep us all happy. —Bob Bailey, Columbus, Ohio
Roasted Carrots & Fennel
This addictive fennel recipe is a fresh take on one of my mother's standard wintertime dishes. I usually add more carrots—as many as the pans will hold. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Tangy Lamb Tagine
I love lamb stew, but wanted to try something a bit different, so I created this recipe that uses Moroccan spices. It's a wonderful way to use lamb, and it's easy to make in the slow cooker. The stew tastes even better served a day or two later, when the flavors have really had a chance to meld. —Bridget Klusman, Otsego, Michigan
Mediterranean Mashed Potatoes
It's hard for our family to imagine eating mashed potatoes any other way but this. It tastes great on its own or drizzled with tahini sauce. —Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland
Lemony Parsley Baked Cod
The trick to avoid overcooking a good piece of fish is to cook it at a high temperature for a short amount of time. Do that and the fish stays moist and tender. —Sherry Day, Pinckney, Michigan
Jeweled Endive Salad
Every Christmas, friends have a huge potluck party. I wanted to bring something unique, so I topped off endive and watercress with jewel-toned pomegranate seeds. —Alysha Braun, St. Catharines, Ontario
Herb-Roasted Salmon Fillets
My roasted salmon is so simple but elegant enough to serve to company. I make it on days when I have less than an hour to cook. The salmon seasoning is an easy way to add flavor. —Luanne Asta, Hampton Bays, New York
Lemon-Roasted Asparagus
When it comes to fixing asparagus, I think it's hard to go wrong. The springy flavors in this easy recipe burst with every bite. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Chocolate-Dipped Hazelnut Macaroons
These pretty cookies are perfect for the special holiday season and pretty easy to make! —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, MissouriThe post How to Host a Small-Scale Passover Celebration appeared first on Taste of Home.
Stacey Ballis