Passover 2025: A Celebration of Freedom

Passover 2025: A Celebration of Freedom

April 12, 2025 though April 20, 2015 this year, Jews worldwide will begin celebrating the religious holiday of Passover commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. 

The beginning of the holiday is celebrated with a ceremonial meal known as the Seder, where families and friends join together and read from the Passover Haggadah which retells the ancient biblical story from slavery to freedom.

A Seder plate is placed in the center of the dinner table displaying 6 symbolic foods to help tell the Biblical story.

1. Maror (Bitter Herbs) – Usually horseradish which represents the bitterness of being slaves .

2. Charoset – A sweet mixture of apples, nuts, wine, and spices, symbolizing the mortar used by Israelite slaves to build for Pharaoh.

3. Karpas (parsley or celery) – Represents springtime and renewal; However, it is dipped in saltwater to symbolize the tears of the many years of slavery.

4. Z’roa (Shank Bone) –symbolizing the Paschal (Passover) lamb that was sacrificed and eaten before the Israelites left Egypt.

5. Beitzah (Egg) – cycle of life and renewal.

6. Chazeret (Second Bitter Herb) – Often romaine lettuce, reinforcing the bitterness of slavery.

   
   

   

   Throughout the holiday, unleavened cracker-like "matzoh" is eaten instead of leavened regular bread because the Israelite's bread did not have time to rise when the Israelites were liberated from Egypt.

Many Jewish families attend synagogue prayer services and participate in festive Passover meals during the 8 days. 

The holiday is an opportunity to reflect on themes of gratitude, freedom and renewal, drawing connections between the ancient past and present-day struggles for justice and equality. 

Charoset recipe Ashkenazie and Sephardic

The Taste of Tradition: Our Family Charoset Recipes

There are certain traditional holiday foods that instantly transport me back to my childhood, and charoset is one of them. Every year when I was young, as Passover approached, our kitchen would fill with the sweet aroma of apples and cinnamon as we prepared the ritualistic foods for the Passover Seder.

I can still picture my mother at the kitchen table, carefully chopping the apples and walnuts by hand, insisting that the texture had to be just right before she added the spices, honey and drops of sweet Manishewitz wine. (For the children she added grape juice).

Charoset is one of the 6 symbolic foods on the Passover Seder plate. 

It is a symbol of our ancestors’ hard work and resilience passed down from generations before us. No Passover Seder is complete without it, and to this day, I still make it the same way my family always has using the same worn recipe card passed down from my mother. 

Every delicious bite of this Eastern European recipe carries the warmth of tradition, the comfort of home, and the reminder that no matter where life takes us, our traditions always go with you.

This year, I want to share our family’s easy charoset recipe with you, so that you, too, can bring this sweet tradition to your own table.

Basic Recipe:

6 red apples, washed, cored, and finely chopped (diced small is good)

2 cups finely chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons of cinnamon

4 tablespoons of sweet red kosher wine (such as Manishewitz)

or substitue kosher purple grape juice

Optional: 4 tablespoons of honey to hold the mixture together  

Directions: 

Mix chopped apples, chopped walnuts, cinnamon, and wine (or grape juice) in a large bowl and mix well. (Add honey if you want it to stick together more). Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Enjoy on matzah. 

My Notes: 

1, The beauty of Charoset (or sometimes pronounced Charoses) is that it is gluten-free and plant-based.

2. Recipes for Charoset differ from country to country. Jews from Middle countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Jordan, and North Africa are often referred to as Sephardic Jews (as opposed to Jews of Eastern European origin who are referred to as Askenazi Jews). 

My husband is originally from Egypt and their Charoset is made entirely differently using dates, raisins, nuts, etc. I is more of a paste, spreads beautifully on matzah and is really delicious.

 

My late Mother-in-Law, Toni's, Sephardic Charoset Recipe

Ingredients: 

2 cups dark raisins, soaked overnight
2 cups pitted dates, soaked overnight
Gound walnuts for a topping (optional)

Directions: 
Soak raisins in a bowl overnight 
Soak pitted dates in a bowl overnight 
Drain well in the morning
Put raisins and dates in a food processor and process a few times until mixture is well mixed and forms a paste. 

Top with optional ground walnuts 
Eat on matzah 

My little Passover Humor : 

This is a great recipe to help keep everyone "regular" during the eight days of Passover matzah eating. Matzah can be very constipating and brings a whole new meaning to the Hagaddah phrase of "let my people go" 

Sephadic Choroset made of dates and raisins is a great equalizer.

Passover is celebrated this year April 12-April 20 2025

IN MY KITCHEN - APRIL 2025

It's the first of the month and time to give you a peek at what's in my kitchen where I will join other bloggers at sherry's monthly IMK blog share. 

I'm going to be taking a vacation in Europe in May. Being gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan makes it difficult to sometimes find good meals. I'm looking into protein bars to keep as a back up. So far I've tried these three bars. I think I'll be buying a case of the no cow bars. They are vegan, taste good, and lowest in calories but high in protein. 

I've been making organic asparagus which I get in a large bag at Costco. 

I love adding pine nuts to my salads and quinoa dishes.         

Palmini looks like spaghetti strands but is actually made from hearts of palm. I love to eat it with tofu and roasted vegetables. Very low in calories and a nice alternative to spaghetti. 

I made a potato kale soup that was hearty and warming. 

These little yellow balls are called golden berries. They are sweet and delicious. They grow in Florida and other warm countries such as Colombia. 

I made this tofu filling for lettuce wraps. (recipe link)

My Mugs 

I bought some Passover macaroons on sale for the Passover holiday in which begins in 10 days. We will be driving home to Pennsylvania to be with family, leaving our car and then flying back to Florida. Our transatlantic cruise starts in Florida to Barcelona and then we will fly home to Pennsylvania. I'll be writing about our BIG vacation in future posts. 

I'm still getting flowers from the flower man who comes to our condo 

every week. 

Wise Words Worth Sharing

I saw this little tidbit in a newsletter that we recently received from our Condo Association. I thought it was worth sharing. 

Laziness kills ambition

Anger kills wisdom

Fear kills dreams

Ego kills growth 

Jealousy kills peace

Doubt kills confidence 

Now read it again right to left 

Have a great Day.. 

15 No Fuss Healthy Recipes Using Canned Beans

Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent or retired person juggling a million tasks, or just someone who loves an easy healthy meal, canned beans should be your friend! 

15-Minute Marinated Cucumber Salad

If you’re looking for a fast, refreshing dish that’s as versatile as it is delicious, this Marinated Cucumber Salad is perfect. With just a handful of ingredients—including crisp cucumbers, tangy rice vinegar, red onions, and a touch of Dijon mustard—this salad comes together quickly and the onion marinates in just 15 minutes!

Creamy Vegetable Kale Soup: Nourish and Rejuvenate

There’s nothing quite like a bowl of homemade soup to bring warmth and nourishment to your day, and this Creamy Vegetable Kale Soup is the perfect blend of hearty and healthy. Packed with creamy potatoes, sweet carrots, flavorful broth, and vibrant kale, this dish is both satisfying and nutrient-dense plant-based soup. 

Weight Watchers Friendly Sauces

I’ve found that having low-calorie, flavorful sauces, toppings, and dressings on hand is a game-changer for staying on track with my weight loss following Weight Watchers.  

Plain steamed veggies or a simple baked potato instantly become more exciting with the right homemade healthy low calorie dressing or topping which helps make eating simple foods feel less like a chore. 

 The other day, I went out to a Chinese restaurant and ordered plain steamed broccoli, steamed bok choy, and steamed tofu— without any of their  sauces- just plain - and boring. 

Instead, I brought a small individualized container of my homemade low calorie peanut sauce (made with PB2, a no-fat peanut butter powder), and dipped my vegetables in it. It made all the difference. It was delicious, satisfying, and totally kept me on weight loss plan! ( I did it partially because I am dieting and partially because of my celiac concerns).

Regardless, my low calorie homemade sauce upped the game for me to make it a tastier meal without the added calories. 

I also use this sauce with rice noodle vegetable wraps and it is delicious. 

This recipe makes a small amount. Multiply the PB2, Hoisin sauce, and tamari sauce times 3 to make more sauce (add a little more water as needed) I estimate- the recipe is 2 points on WW. 

Recipe for Low Calorie Peanut Sauce : 

2 tablespoons of gluten-free peanut butter powder (PB2)

1 tablespoon of gluten-free hoisin sauce

2 tablespoons water 

1 small individualized package of stevia (1/2 teaspoon) 

1 tablespoon of tamari sauce (or GF soy sauce)

Directions: 

Mix all of the ingredients together forming a pasty sauce. If too thick, add another tablespoon of water. Use on steamed vegetables.

Try some other sauces 

Spicy Orange Sauce  (link to the recipe)

Cilantro Lime Oil-Free Dressing (link to recipe)

Fresh and Flavorful: Carrot-Ginger Dressing For Cabbage Slaw

OMG!!I am beyond excited to share this incredibly tasty dressing that completely transformed my cabbage slaw! It’s bright, zesty, and packed with fresh flavors. I simply shredded red and white cabbage, tossed it with a luscious carrot-ginger dressing, and finished it off with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped mint.

And let me tell you—it tastes heavenly.

I love salads, but sometimes the usual dressings get a little… well, boring. This one? Total game-changer. It’s vibrant, refreshing, and adds the perfect kick to wake up your taste buds.

Versatile & Delicious

This dressing isn't just for slaw! I can totally see it drizzled over steamed veggies, mixed into a fresh tossed salad, or even used in wraps. I was inspired by a similar flavor that I’ve had at Chinese restaurants on their salad and decided to make my own—and wow, it did not disappoint.

Plant-Based Eating . Is It For You?

Being vegan for me is more than just a way of eating—it’s a lifestyle rooted in awareness, health, and compassion. For me, it’s about making choices that nourish my body while also being thoughtful to the rest of the planet and all who live on it.  

That’s why I love sharing plant-based recipes, hoping to inspire others to explore healthier, more intentional ways of eating. But I often wonder—does this resonate with you? Have you ever tried one of my recipes or thought about including more plant-based foods into your diet, even if you’re not vegan?

IN MY KITCHEN - MARCH 2025

I'm in my Florida condo for the winter season. I cook about 4 nights a week, and we eat out about 3 nights a week. It seems to be the way everyone socializes (and puts on weight). Of course the weather is warm, so it makes it easy to be out and about and even walk to some of the restaurants.   

I'm joining Sherry and other bloggers for In My Kitchen monthly blog share hosted by Sherry's Pickings where any blogger can join in! 

This is what has been going on in my kitchen this past month. 

Sweet and Sour Cabbage Side Dish

If you are a fan of cabbage, you will love this easy to make sweet and sour side dish. It can be made using either red or green cabbage or a combination of both.  Your choice!

Made with white cabbage

Mardi Gras

Although I have never been to New Orleans, it is on my list of places to visit. However, I doubt I would ever consider visiting during Mardi Gras, because it would be too wild and crazy for me. 

I don't know much about Mardi Gras except that they eat gumbo and jambalaya, King bread and Po' Boy sandwiches. I also know that the predominant colors are purple, gold, and green. and they wear costumes and have parades! 

 I did a little research on the history and origins of Mardi Gras. 

Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps -PF Chang's Copy Cat Recipe

Have you ever eaten at PF Chang's? 

It is a Chinese restaurant chain that is popular throughout the US. One of the few gluten-free and vegan options on their menu is their vegetarian tofu lettuce wraps which are gluten-free optional (meaning you must request them to be made GF). I really like them and decided to try and make/create something like them at home.

History of Valentines Day- How Did it Come To Be

The History of Valentine's Day:

Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14th, is a day synonymous with love, flowers, chocolates, and romantic cards. It has become a worldwide celebration of affection.

How Did It All Begin? 

The history of Valentine’s Day is a blend of ancient rituals, romantic legends, and a few events that have shaped it into the holiday we know today. 

Chocolate Avocado Mousse: A Healthy Valentine Treat

A long time ago, I used to make avocado mousse for myself for a healthy delicious treat. Truthfully, I forgot about it and haven't made it in years. I decided to bring it back this year for Valentine's Day. 

It's made without refined sugars, it provides healthy fat, and the delicious taste of cocoa. It's a plant-based and dairy-free decadent creamy treat that the entire family will enjoy especially when topped with fresh berries. 

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: A Go-To Healthy Meal With Black Beans and Broccoli

Quick, Easy, and Healthy: Stuffed Sweet Potato with Black Beans and Broccoli - my easy go-to meal. 

When it comes to finding a meal that’s not only quick and easy but also nutritious, delicious, and budget-friendly, it can sometimes feel like a challenge. However, one recipe that checks all these boxes and more is the stuffed sweet potato with beans and broccoli. It’s a versatile meal that’s packed with flavor and essential nutrients, making it a perfect choice for anyone who wants a wholesome dish without the hassle.

How To Make Delicata Squash

Are you familiar with delicata squash? You've probably seen it in the supermarkets, but may never have tried it. It's a delicious winter squash variety that requires no peeling, so it's much easier to make than other winter squashes. 

IN MY KITCHEN - Feb 2025

It's the beginning of the month so it's time for In My Kitchen sponsored by Sherry from Sherry's Kitchen. I am sharing some of the new things in my kitchen this month .