Monday, March 25, 2013

Passover 2013

Hey, Foodies! Life has been crazy, but when it comes to Passover you just gotta cook! Oh, and take pics. So, without further ado, here is what is on the menu this year...

The salad course, of course...


then the soup...


Creamy Tomato Gorgonzola Soup

½ onion, diced
½ red pepper, diced
2 minced garlic cloves
olive oil (to saute)
1lb-12 oz canned crushed tomatoes
2 small cans tomato juice
5 oz crumbled Gorgonzola
4 oz (block) cream cheese
½ cup half-n-half
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp Italian seasoning (or basil)
pepper to taste.

 Saute onions and red pepper in olive oil.  Add cream, Gorgonzola and cream cheese. Bring to simmer, then add add crushed tomato, tomato juice and remaining ingredients. Stir constantly for ten minutes. 


* * *

then, the main course...


Chicken Parisienne in the Crock Pot

6 de-boned chicken breasts
2 cups sliced white mushrooms
salt & pepper to taste
2 tbsp smoked paprika
1/2 cup white wine
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup flour

Mix the wine, soup and mushrooms together. Stir flour into sour cream then add to mushroom mixture. Place chicken in the crock pot, top with sauce. Sprinkle salt, pepper and paprika over top. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

3-1/2 lbs russet potatoes
2 tbsp kosher salt
16 oz half-n-half
6 garlic cloves, crushed
6 oz course grated Parmesan cheese

Boil potatoes until falling apart (very tender). In a saucepan, heat half-n-half and garlic until simmering gently; add to drained potatoes and mash. Incorporate Parmesan cheese.

* * *

The seder this year is much, much different than years past - and thankfully so. A small, intimate affair gives the opportunity to celebrate without all the obligation and expectations from others. How freeing to celebrate and worship our LORD with a seder to remember this time of our freedom.

One thing I did different this year was depart from the traditional soup (Matzah Ball Soup) and went with a most yummy Creamy Tomato - you have to try this soup, it's to die for! Another thing I changed up was to use Sangria instead of traditional wine. The fruity, light drink instead of heavy red wine is refreshing and welcome. Here's the recipe, if you would like to give it a go.


Sangria

Mix in a large pitcher or beverage server:

1/2 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2/3 cup frozen lemonade
2/3 cup orange juice
2 bottles of wine (I used one red Zin and one white Pinot Grigio)
1 cup Triple Sec
1 cup brandy
1/2 cup sugar (optional)
Slices of oranges and lemons, cherries and chunked up apples to float on top. 

Refrigerate overnight for best flavor.

* * *

The table was set simply this year, too. Instead of the traditional seder plate, I chose a lazy susan to display the elements. 


I'm so blessed this year with love and friendship more than I deserve. 
A new life and a new direction...
it all makes me so happy to be celebrating Passover this year.
It truly is the time of my freedom.






Chag Sameach!

1 comment:

Mole said...

Beautiful in so many ways, my friend.