A Watercolor Daffodil Seder

Chag sameach! I hope you have spent the past days celebrating in the Spring Festivals - Passover, The Feast of Matzah, and First Fruits. We had an especially lovely Seder meal this year and I wanted to share some photos.

Here is this year's one page haggadah! 

Daffodils are in full bloom here in the Midwest. They made gorgeous (and free) centerpieces.

I realize these aren't all technically daffodils.

We also use these super fun coasters from Matanote.

The Seder plate while this is traditional and not required by Scripture, describing the Besorah in seven courses is a beautiful portrayal of the story.

The sandwich!

Reading, "The Story of Yisrael."

This is our new favorite Pesach menu, taken from the Seder plate. We had:

Roasted Lamb

Einkorn Matzah

Tabbouli

Romaine Salad with Tahini Dressing

Veggies with Hummus

Hard-boiled Eggs

Baked Charoseth

Dessert was mini pavlovas, with chocolate coconut cream, and berries.

Happy Feast of Unleavened Bread!

Matzah Week Recipes

I think we've missed it with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, guys. Scripture describes this week as a feast, and that means lots of delicious and nourishing food. I'm not sure why we have accepted Matzah Week as a time of inferior cuisine.

Shopping this weekend I discovered a special 'Kosher for Passover' section at a grocery store. It contained everything from cereals to mayonnaise to cookies, all certified Kosher for Passover. (Need an overview of what 'Kosher for Passover is? Click here.) These items were all pricey, and the few that I've tried I wasn't impressed with. And the ingredient list? Sketchy at best. There were lots of things I wouldn't want to eat at any time of the year, but especially as a celebration of the goodness and greatness of YHWH. I want to see us get back on track. Like the Passover Seder, what we eat during Matzah Week expresses something about who we believe YHWH is. I believe that he created plenty of foods that are nourishing and wonderful and appropriate to eat during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 

These recipes are as is kosher for Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread week. No alterations, substitutions, or tracking down strange ingredients necessary. These are made with real, nourishing, whole foods that are found in regular grocery stores. When I made this list I purposefully searched for recipes that would go well with homemade matzah. This week is about unleavened bread after all.

Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls from Cookie and Kate

Roasted Carrot Lentil Salad with Tahini Dressing from A Beautiful Plate

Lentils are definitely a go to during Unleavened Bread. Also check out, Creamy French Lentils with Mushrooms from the First Mess, and Jenny Kayne's Middle Eastern Grilled Vegetable and Lentil Bowl would be perfect with einkorn matzah. 

Kale and Roasted Red Kuri Squash Salad from A House in the Hills

Crispy Baked Falafel from Cookie and Kate

Falafel is one of my favorites and can definitely be made without any flour. For a lentil version check out A Pinch of Yum's Ultimate Winter Bliss Bowls with Lentil Falafel.

 Purple Sweet Potato Kale Hash with Fried Eggs from A House in the Hills

Coconut Curry Butternut Soup from Alice and Lois

Black Bean Hummus from A Beautiful Mess

Spinach and Butternut Squash Daal from Nutrition Stripped

Baked Potatoes with Ricotta and Swiss Chard from Reclaiming Provincial

Mediterranean Lentil Dip from Minimalist Baker

By the way, a lot of olives are free of chametz. Look for kalamatas or other red ones as they are usually preserved in red wine vinegar.

Simple Seedy Slaw from Cookie and Kate

Smoked Salmon Omelette with Chive Creme Fraiche from Drizzle and Dip

Simple Herbed Roasted Chicken with Mixed Vegetables from A Beautiful Plate

Garlicky Kale Salad with Crispy Chickpeas from Minimalist Baker

Winter Fruit and Citrus Salad from Sugar & Cloth

Marinara and Cottage Cheese Stuffed Spaghetti Squash from Making Thyme for Health

Sarah has other great spaghetti squash recipes too, like Broccoli Cheddar Spaghetti Squash Bake and Spaghetti Squash Bowls with Mushroom Lentil Marinara.

Spicy Black Bean Soup from Cookie and Kate
I have yet to serve this soup to someone who didn't like it!

Beetroot Salmon Gravadlax from Drizzle and Dip
Or try Smoked Salmon Chowder from A Pinch of Yum or Cooking Classy's Baked Salmon and Asparagus in Foil.

Toasted Sesame and Miso Dressing from A Beautiful Mess
Many commercial salad dressings are chametz but making your own doesn't take long at all.

Roasted Pumpkin with Chili Yogurt and Coriander Sauce from Drizzle and Dip

Crispy Sweet Potatoes from Reclaiming Provincial

Super Green Frittata from A House in the Hills

Carrots with Black Garlic and Herb Yoghurt from Top With Cinnamon

Beet Salad with Fennel, Orange, and Whipped Ricotta from A Beautiful Plate

Roasted Vegetables and Chicken from Alice and Lois

Creme Fraiche Mashed Potatoes from Reclaiming Provincial

Butternut Squash Hummus from Minimalist Baker

This would be great with soft or crunchy matzah!

Butternut Squash Frittata from Cookie and Kate

Kabocha Shakshuka from A House in the Hills

Sweet Potato and Lentil Chili from Making Thyme for Health

Double check your chipotles as I've seen some kosher for Passover, but not all. You can sub fresh jalapeno if you prefer.

Smoked Salmon Mousse from A Beautiful Mess

This with cucumber on einkorn matzah will be my go to next week!

Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate Seeds, Mint, and Toasted Almonds from A Beautiful Plate

We forget how wonderful cauliflower is until we eat it again. Anyone else feel this way?

Cumin Spiked Carrot Salad from Top With Cinnamon

Vegetarian Chili from Cookie and Kate

Brussels Sprouts and Purple Potato Hash from A Beautiful Mess

Cajun Sweet Potato Fries from Minimalist Baker

Homemade Salsa from Alice and Lois
Use with burrito bowls, black bean soup, or as part of a taco salad.

Golden Milk Macaroons from Minimalist Baker

These are loaded with antioxidants from the turmeric, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon.

Chocolate Cherry Meringue Stack Cake from Top With Cinnamon
I know what I'll be having for dessert.

Isn't the abundance of healthy meal options amazing? While YHWH does give certain restrictions on our eating he bountifully provides for our needs.

What are you looking forward to making during Matzah Week? Share your favorite recipes with us!

Spring Feast Printable Roundup

My first Passover was more than ten years ago. It was new to us and we had no idea what it was supposed to look like. I remember scouring the internet for something, anything to get a better idea of how to celebrate and finding almost nothing of help. You could hardly find anything online about Passover, let alone the Feasts of Unleavened Bread and First Fruits. Today it is so exciting to see other bloggers sharing their creativity to help us celebrate YHWH's feasts! Today I am sharing with you a few free resources that will help you celebrate the Spring Feasts this year, whether or not you are new to it.

1. Passover Printable - Land of Honey
- I shared this last year, but it's still a great way to decorate!

2. Passover Busy Book for Kids - Torah Sisters
- With puzzles, coloring pages, and mazes this will keep kids occupied at the Seder table or use it for fun throughout the week of Unleavened Bread.

3. Why Is It Place Cards - Almost Makes Perfect
-A quick way to make your Seder table a little more sophisticated and have the Ma Nishtana at the ready.

4. Ten Plagues Finger Puppets - Tori Avey
-Tori thoughtfully made two versions, one is in color ready to print, and the other is black and white to color yourself.

5. Happy Passover Cards - The Climbing Tree
-Since Passover things aren't easy to find, this is just what we need to spread the joy of the Spring Feasts and say, "Chag Sameach!"

6. Find the Afikoman Game - Joyfully Jewish
-This sounds so fun! Go on a treasure hunt and work on your Hebrew. Print off a set in a different color for each child participating.

7. Seder Plate Labels - Chai and Home
-An elegant addition to your Seder Plate that will teach a little Hebrew.

8. Four Cups of Wine Printable - Hebraic Roots Network
-A fun decoration to remind us of the Seder meal.

9. Unleavened Matzah Verse - Land of Honey
-Keep this up for the duration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

10. Count the Omer Calendar - Kosher on a Budget
-A simple way to count the days until Shavuot.

11. He is Risen Printable - Kraft and Mint
-Use this to celebrate First Fruits!

12. Passover Matching Cards - The Climbing Tree
-Two activities in one. Decorate the cards, then play memory games.

I would recommend printing on a thicker cardstock type of paper. It's sturdy and gives it a better look I think. Of course you can also opt to have these professionally printed if that works better for you. If you know of any other great printables for the Spring Feasts please share with us below!