Choosing the
menu is always a challenge, considering fussy eaters, health issues, vegetarians, family members who are anticipating the
traditional Passover dishes that have been passed down for generations. Or maybe try something new this year?
Pam Reiss new cookbook
Pam Reiss, a wonderful Winnipeg caterer, certainly knows how stressful Passover cooking can be. It’s difficult enough to deal with shopping, cleaning and
preparing your kitchen for Pesach without adding the preparation
for larger than usual crowds for the seders. Choosing the
menu is always a challenge, considering fussy eaters, health
issues, vegetarians, family members who are anticipating the
traditional Passover dishes that have been passed down for
generations. Or maybe try something new this year?
Pamela Reiss’ excellent new cookbook, Passover: A
Kosher Collection, offers a wide selection of creative, delicious
dishes that are sure to impress family and friends.
Her recipes will create some special food memories for those
sitting at your Passover table this year and in the years to
come.
Passover: A Kosher Collection contains beautiful colour
photos and a wide variety of recipes with simple, yet explicit,
instructions. There are sample menus to get you started and
ideas for entertaining, including hors d’oeuvres, dips and
nibbles, main dishes, sides and a large selection of desserts
and baking. This book can help you become your own caterer
this Pesach!
When planning a holiday meal, Reiss admits that it’s often
a toss-up between the dishes she grew up with and more contemporary
meals. She writes, “There are wonderful memories
linked to all of the traditional recipes that my grandmothers
and parents have passed down to me. I like to make the same
brisket that my father makes, which is the same one that his
mother made. My mother taught me how to make chicken
soup, and each spoonful reminds me of hers. Each time I
prepare or am served these recipes, it connects me to my
family and our history.”
She continues, “Most of us have a handful of recipes that
we pull out every Passover, year after year. It’s fun to try
new things, as long as your guests are up for it. A good compromise
is to stick with traditional foods for the seders and
try new recipes during chol hamoed. Brisket, although wonderful,
can become tiresome by Day 5. And no matter how
many different ways we find to dress up matzah, it tends to
be heavy and it doesn’t have to be the star of every meal.
But a bowl of potato gnocchi with some tomato sauce or
a simple grilled lamb chop with lemon potatoes are great
alternatives.”
Several members of Reiss’ family, along with friends,
were involved in this huge undertaking, wearing the hats of
editor, taster, cheerleader, technical support, food stylist and
photography team.
Passover: A Kosher Collection is available at booksellers,
or check out www.pamelareiss.com. Reiss has shared the following
recipes that you can mix and match alongside some
of your traditional family favourites. Enjoy!
