My heathen Methodist Passover Dinner

annie1992

16 years ago

In solidarity with my friends here, and because Dishesdone has granted me honorary status, and because Elery's DIL is Jewish, we celebrated Passover. And, of course, I screwed it up, I forgot the charoset. Also, I bought matzoh, the onion flavored stuff. It wasn't until after we'd eaten that I read the label closely. Not Kosher for Passover. Sigh. At least my good intentions and thoughts were with my friends.

We started with matzoh ball soup which, I gotta tell you, was probably my favorite part of the meal:

I got the eggs (yeah, OK, they're small, they're quail eggs, LOL) , the matzoh, the roasted lamb, the "bitter herbs":

Elery had horseradish on his lamb, lots of it:

My plate had less lamb and more roasted eggplant and the romaine and arugula salad with pickled beets:

No charoset and no dessert, unless you count this:

It was intensely sweet, plenty sweet enough to be dessert, but not as bad as I had anticipated. (grin)

Next year I promise to do better!

Annie

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Comments (26)

jessyf
16 years ago
Annie, you did GREAT! Now we have to get you a Haggadah for next year. Carol, I elect you to do the honors.
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
16 years ago
I have a great Hagaddah I can send you. We used it for years. From Jodie's Nursery School. My favorite one, better than Maxwell House, LOL! I think Robin used it, too!

Annie, your balls more than make up for the Quail eggs, HUGE balls! Floaters? LOL! Looks like a great Seder!

I think you did great and I'm happy and honored to have your honorary presence at my table every year :)
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It would have been helpful if the menu was more descriptive like a menu in a Chinese restaurant that gives a short description of the ingredients and if it's spicy or not. The lack of description of a dish on the menu is a pet peeve of mine. I've seen it in Chinese, Mexican, Indian, etc. (you name it) restaurants. I've never understood why they assume you'll know what's in a particular dish, particularly when the name of the dish is a foreign word*. Nowadays with so many people on special diets or with allergies, it seems to me that it would be in any restaurant's best interest to list ingredients for any dish, even what they might consider to be "obvious" ones, especially since every restaurant makes things differently. gellchom, thanks for introducing me to a new word: shibolleth. *Ok, reading that over before I posted reminded me of something. Many years ago at some local Mexican restaurant they not only described the dishes but included pronunciation guides. I was young, keep in mind, but we laughed our heads off at Taco (TAH - ko). WHY do I still remember that?
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Thanks 1pink for your clarification. Ideefixe, I am not sure if Jewish temple is the same as synagogue. Don't know if we have a temple nearby. We do have a Jewish community in Calgary, but not anywhere near as big as the Muslim community which has many temples around the city. I have taken little man to one of the Muslim temples for a wedding ceremony, it was an interesting experience. But I haven't seen a Jewish temple myself. Isn't that funny how we interpret each others' message differently? I guess online communication creates a gap and that we often fall into it due to a lack of direct interactions i.e. facial expression and body language. When I did the Passover dinner, I had NO intention to teach the true cultures of Jews. Who am I to do so since I don't know much about Passover myself. My attempt was to raise awareness and acceptance so when little man meets someone with Jewish background he wouldn't be so ignorant. Plus, he would learn how to embrace diversity and to respect people regardless their cultures and background. That's the ultimate goal of my attempt. Lowspark! Your understanding to my intention is greatly appreciated. Yes, little man has just turned 8, two months ago, so he's still pretty young. Being a Chinese growing up in Hawaii, I have come to appreciate different cultures and practices. My husband who is a 100% white guy doesn't really understand why it's important for little man to learn about different cultures. But he still supports me so I consider myself lucky. It always saddens me to see one race/culture perceives themselves superior to others. I believe racism is fear based and that fear is due to a lack of knowledge. If little man has been exposed to cultural diversity he will not be afraid of someone who's different than himself, therefore chances for him to become a racist in the future will be slim, so I hope. AM, what smart children you have there! Kids are funny things... we hand them something and they cultivate the idea into something new. Isn't that great?! Annie, matzoh with cream cheese sounds delicious. I probably will do a simple Passover meal again next year. When I read about foods for Passover I couldn't believe how ignorant I was! This is a total eye-opening experience so I really should try again. Oh the matzoh balls... don't laugh... I need to get over some fears before moving on to the matzoh balls. My fear is not matzoh balls related but the impression of matzoh balls (dumplings in soup) reminds me of one Chinese sweet treat that I really didn't like. Those were some sticky dumplings with very sweet fillings, cooked in syrup or soup. The ball was very chewy (stuck between my teeth) and the fillings were sickening sweet. I remember eating one at a Chinese pre wedding party. I wanted so much to spit it out but didn't want to offend anyone so swallowed it. Until today, I am still afraid of trying anything that resembles these sweet little devils. LOL But hey, you said they're like chicken dumplings? I will make note and definitely will try to make some next year. Thanks Annie! Al
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lindac
16 years ago
Ma nishtanah?

Here is a link that might be useful: Seder song
jimster
16 years ago
Non-kosher matzoh???? Really????

Who buys that? Other than Annie, I mean.

I hope you got a good deal on it Annie.

Jim
happygram
16 years ago
I don't want to offend anyone, but someone sent this to my son in law who passed it on to me. We thought it was hysterical...although we didn't use it. Maybe next year???

Two Minute Hagaddah

Opening prayers:

Thanks, God, for creating wine. (Drink wine.)

Thanks for creating produce. (Eat parsley.)

Overview: Once we were slaves in Egypt. Now we're free. That's why we're doing this.

Four questions:
1. What's up with the matzoh?
2. What's the deal with horseradish?
3. What's with the dipping of the herbs?
4. What's this whole slouching at the table business?

Answers:
1. When we left Egypt, we were in a hurry. There was no time for making decent bread.
2. Life was bitter, like horseradish.
3. It's called symbolism.
4. Free people get to slouch.

A funny story: Once, these five rabbis talked all night, then it was morning. (Heat soup now.)

The four kinds of children and how to deal with them:

Wise childÂexplain Passover.
Simple childÂexplain Passover slowly.
Silent childÂexplain Passover loudly.
Wicked childÂbrowbeat in front of the relatives.

Speaking of children: We hid some matzoh. Whoever finds it gets five bucks.

The story of Passover: It's a long time ago. We're slaves in Egypt. Pharaoh is a nightmare. We cry out for help. God brings plagues upon the Egyptians. We escape, bake some matzoh. God parts the Red Sea. We make it through; the Egyptians aren't so lucky. We wander 40 years in the desert, eat manna, get the Torah, wind up in Israel, get a new temple, enjoy several years without being persecuted again. (Let brisket cool now.)

The 10 Plagues: Blood, Frogs, LiceÂyou name it.

The singing of "Dayenu":

If God had gotten us out of Egypt and not punished our enemies, it would've been enough. If he'd punished our enemies and not parted the Red Sea, it would've been enough.
If he'd parted the Red SeaÂ(Remove gefilte fish from refrigerator now.)

Eat matzoh. Drink more wine. Slouch.

Thanks again, God, for everything.
SERVE MEAL.
happygram
16 years ago
Annie,

I forgot to say you're terrific for doing your heathen Methodist Passover dinner. It sounds great. My favorite part is also the soup and the charoses which, in our house, is a mixture of chopped apples, walnuts, sugar, cinnamon, and sweet wine. yum

This forum is a most special place in which we all get to learn about other customs, eat wonderful food, and this is done in a loving and caring way.

Thank you.
Mary
annie1992
Original Author
16 years ago
Jimster, the package had the kosher symbol, so I just picked it up. Unfortunately, it was a wheat product, which is why it was kosher, but not for Passover.

Yeah, you KNEW I'd screw it up, didn't you?

As for those matzoh balls, Elery made them. I make mine a lot smaller, mine fit on a spoon, LOL, but he made guy-sized matzoh balls. They were still pretty darned good! And I have blackberry Manischewitz left, what the heck should I do with THAT?

Annie
ann_t
16 years ago
Annie, I think that you did great too. And I'd love a bowl of your Matzo ball soup.

Ann
beanthere_dunthat
16 years ago
Annie, maybe the wine would give a kick to a cobbler or pie? I don't know. :)

But I love that bowl the soup is in.

Given the only time I ever saw matzo in the grocery when I was in the south was during Passover season, I would have probably used the wrong matzo, too!
teresa_nc7
16 years ago
Annie, I'd keep the wine if there was any leftover....it is an excellent home remedy for intestinal upsets that cause you to "run" from one room to another. No kidding - I swear by it. Learned this from my dear exMIL.
lowspark
16 years ago
Wow Annie, everything looks great!! The matzo balls look like my MIL's.

Happygram, I love that! My favorite line: A funny story: Once, these five rabbis talked all night, then it was morning.

They make & sell matzo all year long, it's kosher and essentially the same exact thing they sell at Passover. Difference is, the Passover stuff is strictly supervised so that no more than 18 minutes pass between the mixing of the flour with water and the completion of baking. I'd be willing to bet that the non-P stuff is just as K for P, except that it doesn't have the K for P seal of approval.
shaun
16 years ago
Annie that soup looks delicious. I still have to try to make it. Hey maybe today?

I tried making Risotto last night...........YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure I did something wrong. I love all the ingredients that went into it but hated it. I threw it all out.

Anyway, I enjoyed your pictures and I think you are 'all that'!
Marigene
16 years ago
That matzo ball soup looks delicious, Annie!
chase_gw
16 years ago
Great job Annie! That soup looks amazing, really need to try it sometime. As for the rest, guess I'd be eating a lot of salad and eggs! Lamb just isn't my thing, nor is eggplant, mind you yours look mighty fine. Nice pics.
artsyshell
16 years ago
Wonderful job Annie! Your soup looks great, as does the rest of the meal.

Shelley
Gina_W
16 years ago
Annie, mix one part of the blackberry Manischewitz and 4-5 parts dry sparkling wine, add a twist of lemon zest. A Jewish Kir Royale - clink! (I just made this up - don't try googling it or nothin'.)
dixiedog_2007
16 years ago
Annie it all looks super to me. The soup looks wonderful...I can smell it from here!
maggie2094
16 years ago
Looks great, Annie! Love the soup. I will join you in your heathenry =D...I made Dishes/Carol's brisekt. It was excellent - even better the next day on sandwiches.

My sister has the Maxwell House book! LOL - we got a kick out of that - it is good! She had some reall nice kosher wines this year - Noah Tevel.

Her matzoh balls were real stinkers sinkers, though.
mimsic
16 years ago
Annie: Best looking Matzoh balls I have seen in a while, maybe ever! But don't tell my daughter. She always makes ours and however they end up looking, they taste great and I love having her beside me in the kitchen. Its a nice reminder of the growing up years.

Happygram: Loved that 2 minute Seder! I might have to save it and use it as an intro to our 2 hour one next year. Wonder what the kids will say.
leel
16 years ago
Annie--try that wine over vanilla ice cream..You might be pleasantly surprised.
lpinkmountain
16 years ago
Happygram, that's the best Hagadah I've every seen! I'll never forget my uncle leaning over gently to my cousin one year who was chanting on in Hebrew for hours, saying "Son, isn't there a shortened version some where? Don't get me wrong, you're doing a wonderful job, but could we maybe abbreviate this a little?"

I was also thinking that the difference between Passover matzoh and "non-Passover" matzoh, is probably about 2 bucks.
gellchom
16 years ago
I don't know about the blackberry wine, but the concord grape stuff is really good for meatballs. Teresa, does it work like the blackberry for the trots?

We call the concord grape stuff Square Wine, and not only because one brand comes in a square bottle!
annie1992
Original Author
16 years ago
Teresa, I'll remember that. How long will it last, do you think? As in, will it ever go "bad"? And how could I tell, LOL?

Beanthere, those bowls were given to me by msazadi. They have cherries in the bottom and Makayla loves them. I wonder where Maureen is, anyway, still travelling?

Annie
lakeguy35
16 years ago
Everything looks good Annie. I made stock a couple of weeks ago to make that soup and that's as far as I got. I'll have see if I can still get some matzoh at the store this weekend. They have been sold out the last couple of times I checked. You and Elery sure do compliment each other in the kitchen....

David
annie1992
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes we do complement each other in the kitchen. Other places too (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

I'm still waiting for those whips and cuffs, though, maybe on time for the wedding? LOL

Annie
riverrat1
16 years ago
Annie, Pass me a bowl of your heathen soup. Wow! I sure would enjoy a bowl.

I'm not sure I've talked with you since you announced your wedding date. I want you to know that I'm not surprised at all ;-) Also, you two are gonna have a wonderful, fun filled life together. I just feel it in my bones. I'm really so very happy for you.

My heathen Methodist Passover Dinner

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