Host a Passover seder that stays true to tradition while introducing some delicious new twists. Here, we spoon charoset – a medley of fruits, nuts and spices – into individual endive leaves for easy serving. Classic brisket, matzo ball soup and seasonal vegetables round out the meal, all served on a beautiful, personal table for an occasion to remember.
Traditional charoset lends itself to all kinds of variations. Our spin includes four types of dried fruits and toasted walnuts, and it’s sweetened with honey and spiced with cinnamon. Spooned into individual endive leaves, it makes a beautiful presentation.
For a first course, serve a warming chicken soup with herbed matzo balls, nostalgic and comforting. Our brisket makes a showstopping centerpiece for the feast; it’s prepared using a sous vide machine. The low, slow cooking and controlled temperature ensure that the meat will emerge incomparably tender and juicy. Herb-roasted potatoes soak up the sauce to perfection, and sauteed baby broccoli adds a splash of green to the table.
- 1 to 2 days ahead: Cook the brisket, transfer the sealed bag to a large ice bath and cool for 30 minutes, then place the bag in the refrigerator. Roast the carrots and onions for the brisket; let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate.
- Day of: Make the charoset, stopping before you add the walnuts, and cool to room temperature. Make the matzo balls and the soup; refrigerate the matzo balls and keep the soup warm. Roast the potatoes and cool to room temperature.
- Just before serving: Reheat the brisket: return the bag to the immersion circulator at 147°F (64°C) for 1 hour, then finish the dish as directed. Finish the matzo balls in the soup. Make the broccoli. Finish and serve the charoset.
Serve the four glasses of wine in elegant stemware that allows each grape to shine. A bold, full-bodied red wine will pair well with the brisket; choose from dozens of great options in the Williams-Sonoma Wine Shop.
Set your table with linens in a rich blue hue, paired classic white or navy dinnerware for contrast. For easy serving, prepare the meal in a complementary stove-to-table pan that looks like it was made for the table.
Create a new family heirloom in our gilt-edged seder plate. The main plate displays the Hebrew word for Passover, while the six individual dishes are labeled with the symbolic foods of the ceremonial meal.
1 comment
I would love to do this. This Sunday evening our church will present a seder, but next year I think I’ll try this at home. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate Jesus’ Jewish traditions which is very much a part of our Easter story.