Passover, Quarantine-Style

The Spring holidays are rapidly approaching, but this year all of the social distancing rules are going to make Egg hunts and Matzah searches that much more creative.

We host two formal Passover Seders each year. My house is usually full to the rafters with family, friends, and colleagues! This special meal is preceded by a story commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, which (in a very small way) makes me think of how we are currently all bound inside our houses waiting to come out into the world again.

Following the ‘retelling’ of the Exodus story, a sumptuous dinner of traditional dishes is served to hungry guests. It’s one of my favorite holidays to cook for, and I look forward to it each year! There is an iconic phrase after a Passover Seder’s conclusion, which is “Next year, in Jerusalem”. These four words traditionally were spoken by an exiled people hoping to return to their ancestral homeland. This year we will be saying “Next year, all together”. We may not be able to celebrate Passover as a family in the time of COVID19, (although we’ll be trying to do it over Zoom!), but we can look forward to a time we can be with our loved ones from near & far.

In 2020, our holiday will be smaller, and the meal simpler. I will still serve traditional hard-boiled eggs, and plenty of matzah, but my main meal will be pared down to comfort foods. Recipes that are warm and soothing, triggering memories of the family we miss.

I am sharing some of my menu plans, as well as some recipe links (click on each dish title to find the full recipe!) in the hope of inspiring you during this unusual Passover! Please share with me as well, either in the comments or on instagram (@straighttothehipsbaby) your dinner plans, so I can be inspired in turn!

We can still continue to delight in food, company, and the sharing of heritage.

Be well, my friends!