Tradition! Sort of
Some Seder dishes are nonnegotiable, but the rest can be tweaked
Another trip around the sun during COVID means another year of Zoom Seders. Whether virtual or inperson, a good Seder service can take a few hours with only ceremonial nibbles like matzo, haroseth, parsley and — get excited — a hard-boiled egg dipped in salt water. Hunger builds, but at least there’s wine.
The Seder meal that follows is culinarily a bit like Thanksgiving in that there are certain dishes, like matzo ball soup and gefilte fish, that are nonnegotiable. But there are other parts of the menu that can be tweaked, and what a good year to try something new and perhaps a bit more exciting than the usual.
Roast chicken with apricots and olives
Ground sumac, which is more widely available than ever, lends its pinkish tone and lemony tang to this roasted chicken. Citrus juices
amplify the acidity in the assertive marinade, with dried apricots and green olives contributing their sweet and sour notes
to a dish with real verve.
Matzo frittata
If you are a savory matzo brei person, you will adore this matzo frittata. And if you’re not familiar with matzo brei, consider this an introduction to the genre. In this recipe, a blend of eggs and matzo is packed with jammy caramelized onions and mushrooms, then crisped in a pan and cut into wedges. It reports for duty as a side dish, but provides plenty of leftovers that keep well for breakfasts and lunches.
Sweet potatoes with tsimmes glaze
Making tsimmes needn’t be a big fuss: This version evokes the spirit of the traditional fruit and vegetable casserole in a modern way requiring almost no prep work and very little time.
Pop some halved sweet potatoes in the oven to roast and stir up a simple but lip-smacking glaze full of citrus, ginger, honey and prunes to pour over before serving.