Passover is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. It begins on the 15th of, the Jewish month, Nissan and marks the beginning of the harvest season in Israel. Like every Jewish holiday, Passover revolves around food. The first two nights of Passover begin with seders, a festival meal during which the story of Passover is read from a book called the Haggadah.
Seder customs include drinking four cups of wine (because getting through the night sober is a struggle), eating matzo, noshing on hard boiled eggs, scooping charoset (a mixture of chopped apple, walnuts and red wine), trying horseradish, dipping parsley in salt water and reclining in celebration of freedom.
Despite the plethora of food required for these seders, this holiday has strict rules on what one can and cannot eat for the duration of the seven or eight days.
What are the rules and restrictions?
No chametz! What is chametz? Great question. Chametz is any major grain, wheat, rye, barley, oats or spelt that has been cooked for longer than 18 minutes. This isn’t to be confused with going gluten free for a week- Jews can eat grains (just as long as they haven’t risen). Many Ashkenazic Jews (Jews with ancestors from Eastern Europe) also restrain themselves from eating rice, corn, peanuts and legumes.
What the eff is unleavened bread?
This is where Matzo comes in. Matzo is unleavened bread that looks and tastes like an enormous cracker. While a subpar replacement for bread at best (and very constipating), one cannot survive the dietary restrictions of Passover by solely eating meals containing Matzo.
So, what can I eat that actually tastes good?
1. Zucchini Pizza Bites-Hold the Pepperoni
To curb your pizza craving.
2. Two Ingredient Pancakes
When you can’t possibly consume anymore fried matzo.
3. Baked Salmon
Some protein to fill you up.
4. Acai Bowls
Tastes like ice cream, but still socially acceptable to eat for breakfast.
5. Chia Seed Pudding
Like rice pudding, but better.
6. Chicken Quinoa Fried “Rice”
Yet another example that everything tastes better with a fried egg.
7. 8-Minute Cauliflower Rice
May not taste as good as white rice, but it’s definitely better for you.
8. Zoodles
For when you’re craving pasta.
9. Baked Egg in an Avocado
Photo by Lauren Feld
Sometimes the simpler the better.
10. Apple-Citrus Quinoa Salad
If you’re in the mood for a decadent meal.
11. Tomato, Mushroom and Spinach Egg White Bites
If you have no idea how to make an omelette.
12. Two Ingredient Coconut Macaroons
When you need a little something sweet.
13. Israeli Salad
A nice detox salad to offset all of the salt you’ve consumed.
14. Classic Shakshuka
An eggcellent dinner option.
15. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Almost too easy to make.
16. One-Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies
Because who doesn’t like balsamic drizzle.
17. Pesto Eggs-Hold the Toast
When you’re feeling a gourmet breakfast.
18. Fruit Popsicles
Crazy refreshing.
19. Sweet Potato Chips
To curb your potato chip craving.