Taste With The Eyes

Our Beautiful Passover Seder Table, and Frogs!

Our Beautiful Passover Seder Table, and Frogs!

Extending warm wishes for a wonderful Passover from our family to yours…

This post is the second in a series highlighting our Passover customs and traditions.

Kristy & Stone

The Passover Seder Table is not simply a place to tell the story of the Exodus and to eat dinner. The Table is symbolic in and of itself. It is a place where memories are made and traditions are taught. It is where we gather with family and friends, and perhaps strangers too, to celebrate our freedoms. The care with which my sister-in-law Kristy sets her Table reflects the solemnness and seriousness of this holiday. The vibrancy and beauty of the Table reflect our gratitude to God for taking us from slavery to freedom, from sadness to happiness, from pain to joy, from darkness to light. Fresh flower arrangements make the table especially spring-like and festive.

Newcomers to the Seder ask, “What can I bring?” We say bring a frog…and we have built up quite a collection over these past ten years!

Why a Frog?

God told Moses, “Behold, I hear the cry of the children of Israel. I have surely remembered you and seen what is done to you. And now I will put forth my hand and smite Egypt with signs and with wonders. Go tell Pharaoh, Let My people go!”

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Haroset, Ashkenazi-Style חֲרֽוֹסֶת

Haroset
חֲרֽוֹסֶת

Welcome to our Seder! In the next few posts I plan to share customs of the Passover Seder. The Hebrew word seder means order. The Seder tells the story of how we were slaves in Egypt before God led us to freedom. Each year at Passover we go on a journey in our hearts from slavery to freedom, from sadness to joy.

Haroset is a mixture of chopped apples, walnuts, wine, cinnamon, and a touch of honey. Its texture and color remind us of the bricks and mortar Jewish slaves had to make when we built cities for Pharaoh. And the sweetness of haroset reminds us of the sweet taste of freedom…

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Saffron Matzoh Balls

Saffron Matzoh Balls

Paella, Risotto alla Milanese, Bouillabaisse, Persian Pilafs, Indian Biryani dishes… make room! We can now add Matzoh Balls to the list of international foods flavored with that mysterious orange-hued spice with the bright exotic metallic flavor – SAFFRON.

Some chefs – including one of my favorites – Michel Richard, say that with saffron’s sweet power, the minute you can taste the saffron in the dish, then there is too much. I have to respectfully disagree with the Chef here, and wish I could make these Saffron Matzoh Balls for him. They are unique, intriguing, conjuring memories of foods from far away places…the saffron is assertive and compelling.

With Passover around the corner, I’m experimenting with different ways to prepare Matzoh Balls. I recently read about a recipe for Matzoh Balls Wrapped in Bacon which sounds oh so delicious but clearly, that one wouldn’t fly at our Seder…

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How to Make the Fluffiest, Most Delicious Matzoh Balls

Matzoh Balls

Over the last decade, I have made in excess of one thousand Matzoh Balls. We make about one hundred every Passover and enjoy them throughout the year as well. As the self-proclaimed Queen of The Matzoh Ball, with Passover around the corner, I’m sharing my tips on preparing the fluffiest and tastiest of matzoh balls!

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A Very Special Kind of Cupcake

On the counter sat 25 homemade Swedish cupcakes.

Earlier that day our 11-year-old neighbor and her friend had stopped by to play with Wilson.
They could see I was very busy cooking and setting the tables for a big dinner party.

After a while they left, but were back about an hour later.

“How many people will be at your dinner party?”
24
“What time does it start?”
7 o’clock
“OK, good, we have time to make dessert for your party.”

I said, “We already have two gourmet desser…oh, you like to bake? Sure, of course, that would be lovely, girls. Thank you so much.”

A few hours later they came back in their aprons with a platter of their signature cupcakes.

Swedish Cupcakes with Fruit

One cupcake was very different from the rest, the girls made it for Wilson. And it just so happens that Wilson’s wonderful veterinarian and her husband were guests at the dinner party that night. Being in the midst of a remodel, they came into the kitchen to discuss ranges and noticed the platter of cupcakes. Dr. Jones took a closer look, “Is that …dog kibble??” I shared the story of the cupcakes, and how fortunate Wilson and I are to have such kind and generous neighbors.

Happy Adoption Day

Dear Lori,
Thank you for sharing your home and showering Wilson with love.
We are thrilled that you love all things that snort and snore –
and bring so much joy to our lives. Wishing you and Wilson a “pawtastic’ adoption day!
Love,
Boston Buddies

I adopted Wilson 5 years ago from Boston Buddies Southern California Boston Terrier Rescue.

Wilson is 8 years old now; we got him after Homer passed. Five years ago, poor Wilson was brutally attacked by another dog, his eye severely damaged. And then, as if things couldn’t get any worse, his previous owners decided to dump him at a shelter. Boston Buddies rescued Wilson, but were unable to save his eye. Yet, in spite of his bad experience, Wilson is a love bug. I read about him on their website and soon after, he came to live with us. He and Mrs. O’Mally were great pals.

On a very sad note, just this week Wilson’s blood work indicated the onset of Cushing’s Disease. This is heartbreaking news, as my previously rescued Bostons, Mrs. O’Mally and Homer, both passed away from complications related to the disease two years after showing symptoms. In the meantime, Wilson will continue to receive top notch medical care, unlimited love and affection, fluffy pillows, long walks, play dates with the neighbors, and special treats…including an occasional doggie cupcake.

Homer’s story here.
Mrs. O’Mally’s story here.