Matzoh at the office?
March 25, 2011 11:04 AM Subscribe
Is there anything fancier than matzoh to bring in to the office for Passover? Our department does a rotation where one person will bring in bagels or donuts on Friday mornings. One of my co-workers has commented that he'll be stuck with matzoh on April 22, because of Passover. Is there anything else I could bring in that day (even if just a nice kosher-for-passover jam for the matzoh) along with the breakfast for everyone else? I shouldn't have much trouble finding kosher stuff around, as long as I know what I'm looking for. I realize that Passover is more or less about deprivation, but I'd like to be thoughtful anyway.
Passover is not "more or less about deprivation." It's about freedom from slavery and no leavened bread, which is symbolic but not about deprivation per se.
At any rate, there are lots of pre-packaged very delicious kosher for Passover baked goods. I'm particularly fond of chocolate leaf cookies (there are a few companies that make them, that's just one example) myself, but they're expensive.
posted by needs more cowbell at 11:10 AM on March 25, 2011 [3 favorites]
At any rate, there are lots of pre-packaged very delicious kosher for Passover baked goods. I'm particularly fond of chocolate leaf cookies (there are a few companies that make them, that's just one example) myself, but they're expensive.
posted by needs more cowbell at 11:10 AM on March 25, 2011 [3 favorites]
Are you willing to make something, or are you only looking for something you can purchase off the shelves? If the latter, try macaroons, either coconut or chocolate, or a meringue. Check for the "kosher for passover" label. If the former, try Smitten Kitchen, which has never steered me wrong:
http://smittenkitchen.com/recipes/#Passover
Also, don't tell your coworker that you think Passover is "more or less about deprivation," because it isn't - keeping kosher for Passover is a form of remembrance of a critical turning point in the formation of the Jewish people - a miracle, if you believe in such things. Passover is one of the most sacred and most joyous holidays in the Jewish calendar - my own multi-religious family's favorite, hands-down, except for the no-presents part.
posted by mishaps at 11:12 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
http://smittenkitchen.com/recipes/#Passover
Also, don't tell your coworker that you think Passover is "more or less about deprivation," because it isn't - keeping kosher for Passover is a form of remembrance of a critical turning point in the formation of the Jewish people - a miracle, if you believe in such things. Passover is one of the most sacred and most joyous holidays in the Jewish calendar - my own multi-religious family's favorite, hands-down, except for the no-presents part.
posted by mishaps at 11:12 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Mandelbrot would work. Made with matzoh cake meal, not flour, of course. I guess it's supposed to be more of a dessert, but I think it would make a great breakfast with coffee.
posted by DestinationUnknown at 11:16 AM on March 25, 2011
posted by DestinationUnknown at 11:16 AM on March 25, 2011
Yes, most of the larger supermarkets will have a Passover section. There are some tasty Passover cakes you can bring - you can buy a premade cake or make one from a mix.
You could also bring in a fruit plate - all fruits are kosher for Passover.
Make sure that any butter, cream cheese, etc. is marked as kosher for Passover. Same with the matzoh - believe it or not, there's plenty of NON-kosher for Passover matzoh products!
posted by SisterHavana at 11:16 AM on March 25, 2011
You could also bring in a fruit plate - all fruits are kosher for Passover.
Make sure that any butter, cream cheese, etc. is marked as kosher for Passover. Same with the matzoh - believe it or not, there's plenty of NON-kosher for Passover matzoh products!
posted by SisterHavana at 11:16 AM on March 25, 2011
DO NOT make something. I don't know how strict your coworker is in his observance, but anything you make in your kitchen will not be kosher for Passover even if the ingredients are unleavened. There are very complicated, specific, detailed procedures involved in making kitchens and kitchen equipment kosher for Passover - it takes most people at least the better half of a day.
posted by needs more cowbell at 11:16 AM on March 25, 2011 [10 favorites]
posted by needs more cowbell at 11:16 AM on March 25, 2011 [10 favorites]
Again - I don't know how strict your coworker is in his observance (if he doesn't keep kosher during the year, it's possible he's lax with Passover), but to give an idea of what Orthodox and many Conservative people might do, and what any commercial food operation that has a Kosher-for-Passover certification definitely does, see this article. It's super intense.
posted by needs more cowbell at 11:29 AM on March 25, 2011
posted by needs more cowbell at 11:29 AM on March 25, 2011
Macaroons!
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:30 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:30 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
I second cowbell. If your coworker is actually (rather than socially) observant, you don't want to feed him stealth treyf. Now, just to be utterly pedantic, some things are not safe for Passover in the Ashkenazic tradition, that are just fine for Sephardic jews (as far as I know, most of the more strict rules are on the Ashkenazic side of things). Rice is the most obvious example that comes to mind.
more tedious dietary information
I would echo suggestions that you buy something edible looking which doesn't require prep from the Passover-safe part of the store. As mentioned above, kosher-for-passover macaroons are AWESOME; I'm particularly fond of Jennies brand.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 11:34 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
more tedious dietary information
I would echo suggestions that you buy something edible looking which doesn't require prep from the Passover-safe part of the store. As mentioned above, kosher-for-passover macaroons are AWESOME; I'm particularly fond of Jennies brand.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 11:34 AM on March 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oops, good point, nmc. I'm so used to non-kosher "kosher" for Passover observance, I screwed that up.
posted by mishaps at 11:35 AM on March 25, 2011
posted by mishaps at 11:35 AM on March 25, 2011
believe it or not, there's plenty of NON-kosher for Passover matzoh products!
That's right, and also if your co-worker is very observant, you CANNOT make your own snacks for him at home. Anything made in utensils (or ovens) that EVER held leavened products (unless the utensils are washed in a specific way) would be considered chametz, or not kosher for Passover consumption.
Nthing that it is incorrect to think of Passover as about "deprivation." Jews of any level of observance will not view it that way. Eating unleavened foods and no leavened for a week and a day is an obligation for the observant, sure, but the purpose is to honor and celebrate freedom from slavery, not to "suffer" or anything like that. Please remember to wish your co-worker a happy holiday, or "Chag Sameach" if he is familiar with basic Hebrew, or "Gut Yontev" if he is from a Yiddish background. Passover is in fact a much more important holiday for Jews than Hanukkah.
I'd suggest you can bring kosher-for-Passover spreads for the matzo, or macaroons (which are made from coconut and egg whites, and come in many flavors), or Passover sponge cakes, which are readily available in any supermarket with a kosher section.
As an aside, beer is of course forbidden during Passover (grain fermented by yeast), and any liquors made from fermented GRAINS are forbidden as well... but alcohol per se is not, so feel free to bring your Jewish friends kosher wine, or any vodka made solely from potatoes (potatoes are not considered grains). There is a Polish vodka called Luksusowa that is 100% potato... perfect for Passover. Many commercial vodkas contain a small percentage of grain mixed in with the potato mash, so don't get them at this time.
posted by RRgal at 11:39 AM on March 25, 2011
That's right, and also if your co-worker is very observant, you CANNOT make your own snacks for him at home. Anything made in utensils (or ovens) that EVER held leavened products (unless the utensils are washed in a specific way) would be considered chametz, or not kosher for Passover consumption.
Nthing that it is incorrect to think of Passover as about "deprivation." Jews of any level of observance will not view it that way. Eating unleavened foods and no leavened for a week and a day is an obligation for the observant, sure, but the purpose is to honor and celebrate freedom from slavery, not to "suffer" or anything like that. Please remember to wish your co-worker a happy holiday, or "Chag Sameach" if he is familiar with basic Hebrew, or "Gut Yontev" if he is from a Yiddish background. Passover is in fact a much more important holiday for Jews than Hanukkah.
I'd suggest you can bring kosher-for-Passover spreads for the matzo, or macaroons (which are made from coconut and egg whites, and come in many flavors), or Passover sponge cakes, which are readily available in any supermarket with a kosher section.
As an aside, beer is of course forbidden during Passover (grain fermented by yeast), and any liquors made from fermented GRAINS are forbidden as well... but alcohol per se is not, so feel free to bring your Jewish friends kosher wine, or any vodka made solely from potatoes (potatoes are not considered grains). There is a Polish vodka called Luksusowa that is 100% potato... perfect for Passover. Many commercial vodkas contain a small percentage of grain mixed in with the potato mash, so don't get them at this time.
posted by RRgal at 11:39 AM on March 25, 2011
I think it's very thoughtful of you to ask this question and spend time thinking about this. Nthing macaroons!
posted by slmorri at 11:56 AM on March 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by slmorri at 11:56 AM on March 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
How about just a fruit salad?
posted by ValkoSipuliSuola at 12:03 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by ValkoSipuliSuola at 12:03 PM on March 25, 2011
The Jewish deli near me sells some really tasty rugelach, though I haven't checked to see if they do so during Passover. Macaroons are always good. Those meringue things are tasty, but not breakfast-y, as is halvah.
I'd recommend getting them from a kosher deli, for all sorts of reasons.
posted by small_ruminant at 12:08 PM on March 25, 2011
I'd recommend getting them from a kosher deli, for all sorts of reasons.
posted by small_ruminant at 12:08 PM on March 25, 2011
Actually, I like matzoh with various spreads on it, but if the coworker is "stuck" with it, he might not feel the same.
posted by small_ruminant at 12:09 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by small_ruminant at 12:09 PM on March 25, 2011
Charoset is a sweet mixture of nuts and fruit that goes well with matzoh. As previous answers mention, you should have it made for you in a kosher-for-Passover facility (which could be a friend's kitchen) if anyone's likely to be observant.
The Sephardic charoset recipes use dates for a sticky-sweet effect I really enjoy.
posted by d. z. wang at 12:11 PM on March 25, 2011
The Sephardic charoset recipes use dates for a sticky-sweet effect I really enjoy.
posted by d. z. wang at 12:11 PM on March 25, 2011
Another sticky point, some folks eat gebrokts during passover, and others don't.
So some things made with matzoh may not be "kosher enough" for some, except during the final day, under the idea that an unwetter piece of flour may be wetted while making the matzo into a new dish.
My point is, ask your coworker what he'd like to have, rather than guessing which set of passover rules he follows.
posted by bilabial at 12:44 PM on March 25, 2011
So some things made with matzoh may not be "kosher enough" for some, except during the final day, under the idea that an unwetter piece of flour may be wetted while making the matzo into a new dish.
My point is, ask your coworker what he'd like to have, rather than guessing which set of passover rules he follows.
posted by bilabial at 12:44 PM on March 25, 2011
Just be sure to talk to your office mate and ask how kosher he keeps. There are plenty of Jews, me included, who celebrate Passover joyously but are not otherwise kosher and wouldn't care at all if what you brought was made in a non-kosher kitchen such as your own.
posted by BlahLaLa at 1:26 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by BlahLaLa at 1:26 PM on March 25, 2011
The Jewish deli near me sells some really tasty rugelach, though I haven't checked to see if they do so during Passover.
Ummm, I seriously doubt it. Please remember, "Kosher" is not the same as "Kosher for Passover."
Kosher for Passover foods cannot be made with any yeast or using the same utensils that are used to make year-round items, unless they are scrubbed clean in a prescribed process.
Most kosher delis are closed during Passover for this reason.
Passover desserts are usually macaroons, or spongecake, or cookies that have the consistency of wet sand. Personally I prefer either macaroons or else matzoh with jam. Or dark chocolate nonpareils!! forgot to mention them -- no flour, so no worries.
posted by RRgal at 1:43 PM on March 25, 2011
Ummm, I seriously doubt it. Please remember, "Kosher" is not the same as "Kosher for Passover."
Kosher for Passover foods cannot be made with any yeast or using the same utensils that are used to make year-round items, unless they are scrubbed clean in a prescribed process.
Most kosher delis are closed during Passover for this reason.
Passover desserts are usually macaroons, or spongecake, or cookies that have the consistency of wet sand. Personally I prefer either macaroons or else matzoh with jam. Or dark chocolate nonpareils!! forgot to mention them -- no flour, so no worries.
posted by RRgal at 1:43 PM on March 25, 2011
If you have a Jewish deli near you, call them and ask.
posted by JABof72 at 1:52 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by JABof72 at 1:52 PM on March 25, 2011
Ummm, I seriously doubt it. Please remember, "Kosher" is not the same as "Kosher for Passover."
You're probably right, since rugelach does puff up a bit when you cook it.
As for the deli, they do a booming, line-out-the-door to-go Passover business, so it's possible and certainly worth asking what the OP's local Jewish deli has available for Passover.
I found this website that sells KP gifts, so it might be worth checking out just as a guide for possible okay noshables.
posted by small_ruminant at 2:32 PM on March 25, 2011
You're probably right, since rugelach does puff up a bit when you cook it.
As for the deli, they do a booming, line-out-the-door to-go Passover business, so it's possible and certainly worth asking what the OP's local Jewish deli has available for Passover.
I found this website that sells KP gifts, so it might be worth checking out just as a guide for possible okay noshables.
posted by small_ruminant at 2:32 PM on March 25, 2011
Chcolate covered Matzoh! So so unbelievably good. Even if your co-worker is ultra conservative and can't eat them for some reason, let everyone else try them, just so they don't think that Jewish food is crappy, because there's a lot of good stuff out there, and from my experience, people are pretty close minded about it, probably because they've never tried anything other than plain Matzoh.
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 2:38 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 2:38 PM on March 25, 2011
I always think of Jewish food as Middle Eastern food + East European (tabouleh, crepes, falaful, hummous, mmmmm). I just can't see how anyone could think it's crappy.
I would love to try Sephardic food but can't find it any where.
posted by small_ruminant at 2:44 PM on March 25, 2011
I would love to try Sephardic food but can't find it any where.
posted by small_ruminant at 2:44 PM on March 25, 2011
Came to suggest matzo crack as well...sooooo delicious.
posted by LittleMissCranky at 3:23 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by LittleMissCranky at 3:23 PM on March 25, 2011
Seconding Matzo Crack linked above. I've made it and it's fabulous. Macaroons is also a good idea.
posted by maryr at 3:44 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by maryr at 3:44 PM on March 25, 2011
Flourless Chocolate Torte has always been a traditional dessert at my family's Seders.
posted by sourwookie at 3:54 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by sourwookie at 3:54 PM on March 25, 2011
It's really not that hard to figure out how observant a Jewish coworker is if you've been working with him for a while.
Firstly, if he doesn't wear fancy clothes and a big black hat and grow peyes (long, curly sideburns) or at the very least wear a kippah at all times and grow a long beard, than it's very highly unlikely that he doesn't eat gebrochts during Passover. Seriously -- it's really is only the Hasids who follow that custom.
Second, if you've ever seen him eat bacon, shrimp, lobster, have cheese on a sandwich or meat on pizza, or any hamburger, period, than he doesn't keep Kosher at all, and you don't have to worry about anything other than no leavened bread products. And if he doesn't eat only his own food from home, or order food from strictly from kosher restaurants, then you don't need to worry about preparing something from your treif kitchen.
Heck, even if he eats something not strictly kosher on the pretense that it was, he's actually covered. We Jews have spent the millenia riddling our religion with loopholes -- selling our businesses to our Christian junior partners on Friday and buying them back every Sunday so they can stay open on Shabbat, programming elevators to stop at every floor on the Sabbath because apparently it's ok to take an elevator if you don't press any buttons, etc. If he has plausible deniability to say he didn't know it wasn't kosher, than Hashem is cool with it.
Oh, and my favorite K for Passover breakfast food is Matzah brei, but I wouldn't recommend trying to make it yourself, as you have to screw up a few times and make something that tastes like cardboard before you get it right.
posted by patnasty at 4:23 PM on March 25, 2011
Firstly, if he doesn't wear fancy clothes and a big black hat and grow peyes (long, curly sideburns) or at the very least wear a kippah at all times and grow a long beard, than it's very highly unlikely that he doesn't eat gebrochts during Passover. Seriously -- it's really is only the Hasids who follow that custom.
Second, if you've ever seen him eat bacon, shrimp, lobster, have cheese on a sandwich or meat on pizza, or any hamburger, period, than he doesn't keep Kosher at all, and you don't have to worry about anything other than no leavened bread products. And if he doesn't eat only his own food from home, or order food from strictly from kosher restaurants, then you don't need to worry about preparing something from your treif kitchen.
Heck, even if he eats something not strictly kosher on the pretense that it was, he's actually covered. We Jews have spent the millenia riddling our religion with loopholes -- selling our businesses to our Christian junior partners on Friday and buying them back every Sunday so they can stay open on Shabbat, programming elevators to stop at every floor on the Sabbath because apparently it's ok to take an elevator if you don't press any buttons, etc. If he has plausible deniability to say he didn't know it wasn't kosher, than Hashem is cool with it.
Oh, and my favorite K for Passover breakfast food is Matzah brei, but I wouldn't recommend trying to make it yourself, as you have to screw up a few times and make something that tastes like cardboard before you get it right.
posted by patnasty at 4:23 PM on March 25, 2011
Charoset is the best thing ever, but you're not supposed to eat it until first seder.
posted by freshwater at 9:05 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by freshwater at 9:05 PM on March 25, 2011
Oh, I'm not Jewish and I honestly cannot remember which holiday it is traditional for, but honey and apples is also a lovely snack.
posted by maryr at 11:06 PM on March 25, 2011
posted by maryr at 11:06 PM on March 25, 2011
Although, some people do keep kosher during Passover who don't do it the rest of the year, so the best thing is probably just to ask him.
But even if there weren't any Jews in your office at all, you should still make matzo crack!
posted by exceptinsects at 8:27 AM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
But even if there weren't any Jews in your office at all, you should still make matzo crack!
posted by exceptinsects at 8:27 AM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
OP (and anyone else reading this for ideas), you're awesome for doing this, but I'd like to heartily second either buying something or asking him for guidelines.
There's nothing more sad and awkward than having someone present you with special food they went way out of their way to prepare for you because you're [vegan/kosher/allergic/whatever] and having to tell them you can't eat it (or compromise your beliefs.) I remember feeling like an ass when someone proudly told me that she'd made tuna tetrazzini for me because I was a vegetarian and I had to explain that fish isn't veggie.
posted by needs more cowbell at 10:09 AM on March 26, 2011
There's nothing more sad and awkward than having someone present you with special food they went way out of their way to prepare for you because you're [vegan/kosher/allergic/whatever] and having to tell them you can't eat it (or compromise your beliefs.) I remember feeling like an ass when someone proudly told me that she'd made tuna tetrazzini for me because I was a vegetarian and I had to explain that fish isn't veggie.
posted by needs more cowbell at 10:09 AM on March 26, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
He can put butter or cream cheese or whatever else you have for bagels on the matzoh.
posted by amro at 11:07 AM on March 25, 2011