5 Passover Side Dishes

Serving a festive dinner will be easy with these 5 Passover side dishes.  They are easy to prepare and follow Passover dietary guidelines.  Passover dinner marks the beginning of Passover which starts in late March or early April.  The first feast on this night is eaten in reverence of Jewish customs while stories from Exodus are told by family elders.  Side dishes are important in addition to the main entree because the dinner is traditionally attended by many members of the community.

In order to prepare Passover side dishes you will need:

• a good selection of wine that will compliment each dish
• a large enough kitchen to accommodate the preparation of a large meal
• recipes and ingredients that are kosher and contain no leavening agents

1.  Matzo Chicken Broth Soup.

          You will need:

• 1/2 cup of matzo meal
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 tbsp. of butter or margarine
• 2 tsp. of parsley
• 8 cups of chicken broth
• 2 large carrots, sliced
• 1/2 tsp. of salt
• 1/2 tsp. of pepper
• water

1. Mix melted butter or margarine with the eggs in a bowl.
2. Add matzo meal, salt, pepper, and parsley.
3. Slowly add water to the mixture until it forms a soft dough.
4. Cover and refrigerate a minimum of 30 minutes.
5. In a large pot, bring chicken broth and carrots to a boil, and reduce heat.
6. Shape the matzo dough into small balls.
7. Drop the balls into the pot.
8. Cover and continue cooking for 30 to 40 minutes.  Serve.

  2.  Sautéed Garlic Asparagus.

         You will need:

• 1 lb. of asparagus spears, trimmed
• 1/4 cup of margarine or butter
• 3 tbsp. of olive oil
• 2 tsp. of salt
• 1 tsp. of pepper
• 4 garlic cloves, minced

1. In a large skillet, melt the butter or margarine over medium-high heat.
2. Add the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic.
3. Cook for one to two minutes.
4. Add the asparagus and continue cooking for ten minutes.  Turn the asparagus over as you cook.
5. Remove and serve.

3.  Matzo Pizzas.

         You will need:

• 3 matzo crackers
• 1/2 cup of pizza sauce
• 1/2 cup of black olives
• 1 tbsp. of dried oregano
• 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2  tsp. of garlic salt

1. Spread pizza sauce on the matzo crackers.
2. Sprinkle oregano, garlic salt, and cheese on top of the sauce.
3. Distribute the tomato slices and olives evenly on the crackers.
4. Transfer onto cookie sheet.
5. Bake for five minutes at 375 degrees, or until the cheese is melted.  Serve.

4.  Orange and Avocado Salad.

         You will need:

• 4 cups of fresh spinach leaves
• 6 small red potatoes, cooked and cooled
• 1 bunch of radishes, sliced
• 7 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp. of sugar
• 2 tsp. of orange zest
• 2 oranges, sliced
• 2 avocados, sliced

1. Combine potatoes, radishes, and spinach in a large bowl.
2. In a small bowl, mix vinegar and oil.
3. Add sugar and orange zest.  Salt and pepper to taste.
4. Pour mixture over salad and toss.
5. Top with avocado and orange slices.  Serve.

5.  Salt Crusted Potatoes.

           You will need:

• 2.5 lbs. of new potatoes
• 3 cups of salt
• 6 cloves of garlic, peeled
• 3 egg whites, beaten

1. Scrub and dry potatoes.
2. Cut the potatoes in half and place them cut side down in a large casserole dish.
3. Place the garlic cloves between the potatoes.
4. In bowl, combine the egg whites and salt.
5. Pour the mixture over the potatoes.
6. Bake for one hour at 400 degrees.
7. Crack open crusts on potatoes and serve with butter or margarine.