I've never had authentic Jewish food, but I wanted something special for this Easter.
So we had a "representative dinner of Passover" making due with what we had.
The table was set in earth tones. Some ate off wood, some off pottery pieces.
Dogwood, representative of the cross, and Star of Bethlehem flowers were the centerpiece.
Olive wood camels and a small olive wood communion set was also placed on the
table. Each person had a small cup for the juice and a bowl for the salad.
The meal began by each drinking their juice.
This was representative of the wine the Jews drank at Passover.
I've read that their drink was a mixture of nut, apple, cinnamon and wine
that was tan in color. This reminded them of the mortar used to build
the cities of Pharaoh. It was symbolic of the hope of freedom that
gave the Israelites strength to withstand the bitterness of slavery.
Deviled Eggs
Peppered Roast Beef
Roasted Potatoes with herbs
Bitter Herb Salad
Unleavened Bread
Cream Puffs
Deviled Eggs
Place eggs in a pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cover, turn off heat
and let set for 20 minutes. Remove eggs from stove and cover with cold water.
Peel. Cut eggs in half, lengthwise. Scoop out yolks. Mix yolks with chopped pickles,
miracle whip and seasonings. Spoon into whites.
The eggs represent the hard-boiled eggs the Israelites ate. Most things become soft
when boiled, but eggs become hard. So it was true of the Israelites. When oppressed, beaten
down, and boiled in the turmoil of life, they became harder and stronger.
The egg also symbolizes new life.
Peppered Roast Beef
Make a "rub" with a mixture of coarse ground pepper, cumin (ground cilantro),
garlic and paprika. Rub on both sides of the roast. Brown in a cast iron Dutch Oven.
When browned well, cover and allow the meat to cook in its own juices until done.
Slice and pour any drippings over the meat to serve.
The Israelites had roasted lamb. I went to the grocery store and there was no lamb.
So I decided we'd have the "red heifer" instead. The roasted meat was to remind the Israelites
that there had to be a blood sacrifice from a pure, unspotted lamb.
Roasted Potatoes with Herbs
Mix together 1/4 c. olive oil, parsley, garlic powder, cumin and paprika.
Place in gallon size Ziploc bag.
Scrub potatoes. Cut out any bad spots and cube. Place in Ziploc bag
with oil mixture. Shake to coat potatoes. Place potatoes on a baking stone.
Bake 400 degrees about 45 minutes, turning every 15 minutes.
Bitter Herb Salad
Make a salad of Romaine lettuce, parsley, celery (including leaves),
cilantro, radishes and any other "bitter herbs." I put in some fresh basil
as well, though I don't if they used such. Make a dressing of
3 T. olive oil, 1 T. lemon juice, cayenne pepper, garlic and cumin. If you
don't have any fresh parsley for the salad then sprinkle some dried
parsley in the dressing. Mix the dressing into the salad.
The Roasted Potatoes with herbs and the Bitter Herb Salad represents
the bitter herbs the Israelites ate at Passover. This was to remind
them of the bitterness of their slavery.
The greens also represent the coming of spring and
the hope that dwelt in their hearts.
Unleavened Bread
2 1/4 - 2 3/4 c. flour
1/4 c. honey
3/4 scalded milk or water
1 egg
1/4 c. butter or oil
1 tsp. salt
Beat milk, honey, egg, oil and salt. Stir in flour. Knead until
smooth. Roll out thin. Prick with a fork and cut into shapes.
Bake 375 degrees about 15 minutes.
Most of the recipes for unleavened bread call for whole wheat flour.
I opened the canister and it had bugs in it - so it was tossed.
So I used white flour. Some of the recipes do not use eggs or honey.
I'm sure that would have been a luxury in some cases.
But this is the recipe I used. Of course the unleavened bread,
containing no soda or yeast, reminded the Israelites of the haste with
which they had to leave the land of Egypt. It represented the removal
of sin. This could only be accomplished through the sacrifice.
Cream Puffs
Look on the dessert page for this recipe.
The reason we had cream puffs was because it also contains
no soda or yeast. There are many Jewish dessert recipes that
use apples, but I didn't have any.
The puffs were yummy!
I think my family enjoyed our dinner. I thought it was important that we at least
have a small glimpse of this important time in the life of the Jewish people
and to renew our own new life that we have through
a Resurrected Savior!