Next year in Jerusalem

[rachelmanija]

Improvised from limited materials, scattered and separated, in a time of plague, living under an evil pharaoh, deciding whether to go with the word or the spirit of the law: this is going to be the most Jewish Passover ever.

I'm doing mine myself for the first time, over Zoom with the friends whose home I would normally be at. I'm not very observant, so I am not being strict AT ALL. Here's my plans and thoughts - please feel free to make suggestions.

I've emailed a neighbor to see if she can give me a bottle of wine, as I only have whiskey, beer, and sake.

I do not have matzo. I'm planning to make my own. In 18 minutes, just to see how that works out.

I have chicken broth and vegetables, but only AP and bread flour. I have eggs and also noodles. Should I attempt to make matzo balls from flour, or do noodles instead? (I think I'd lose my mind making enough matzo to grind into flour, especially as I have neither a food processor nor a mortar.)

I have apples and pistachios, from which I plan to make charoset.

I think I have horseradish sauce somewhere in the fridge. If I don't, what's a good substitute? I have fresh garlic, lots of fresh herbs, and powdered spices.

I have eggs. Has anyone ever tried roasting rather than boiling them?

I have a confit duck leg that I'm going to use for both my main dish and the shank bone. Or I could roast a carrot for the shank bone.

I have parsley and many other herbs.

Please feel free to make suggestions in comments. I'd also love to hear your plans and thoughts on your own Passovers!

ETA: Neighbor is buying me wine (she's hitting Trader Joe's tomorrow morning anyway) and is also leaving me a jar of homemade chicken stock she made yesterday!

Comments

[sovay]

(I think I'd lose my mind making enough matzo to grind into flour, especially as I have neither a food processor nor a mortar.)

If you put the matzah in a plastic bag (ziploc ideal, but a produce bag tied in a knot to close it will also do) and hit it repeatedly with something heavy, you will get a sufficient meal to make kneydlakh with. Like, three pieces of matzah nets you about a dozen kneydlakh. It does not take forever and the hitting things part might even be cathartic.

Our two apples are at the stage where they could be eaten if baked but would be grainy if raw, so I am planning to make a variant on Sephardi charoses with chopped dates and apricots.

My family has used a suitable-looking vegetable as a substitute bone for years, so fortunately we have carrots and ginger root and one of these will be the sacrificial object.

We have no wine, either, and that may just be how it is this year.

[rachelmanija]

Oh! Thanks, I think I'll try that, then. I will use a hammer and pretend that I'm bashing a certain orange someone's head in.

I am determined to get wine. I'm sure a neighbor will come through.

[sovay]

I will use a hammer and pretend that I'm bashing a certain orange someone's head in.

From your countertop to God's ears!

I am determined to get wine. I'm sure a neighbor will come through.

Awesome.