I hosted my second annual seder at my home for 25 of my friends. Growing up, Passover was always a holiday to share with my family. Living in Los Angeles, I know that there are others like me who don't have their entire family here and want a seder to attend.
A vegan seder isn't the most common occurrence either. One vegan Jewish guest told me that she hadn't been to a seder in years because as a vegan she always found it uncomfortable.
That said, my guests were a mix of Jewish and non-Jewish, vegan and omnivores.
This is my seder plate -- painted by my 6 year-old niece Samantha. Instead of a shankbone, I use a beet. The shankbone represents the Passover sacrifice, or the tenth plague of the slaying of the first born, and a beet in its bright red color resembles blood. Instead of the egg, I use a flower, which like an egg can represent birth and spring.
I had plenty of appetizers before we had our meal.
This is a "Mock Chopped Liver" from Debra Wasserman's
The Lowfat Jewish Cookbook.
Eggplant Caviar from
The Lowfat Jewish Cookbook.
What seder dinner would be complete without Matzah Ball Soup? This is my one blatant use of
kitniyot, or beans, as the matzah balls do have tofu in them. This
recipe came from The Post-Punk Kitchen. I've tried other vegan matzah ball recipes, and the matza balls fall apart. If you have a good vegan matzah ball recipe that doesn't require soy, let me know.
Dinner is served!!!! With 25 people, we did things buffet-style. The tray in the middle is
Passover Apple Carrot Sweet Potato Kugel, which was the dish that by far got the best reviews. Originally from family friend Roseanne, I prepare this every year and the recipe is here. After grating up sweet potatoes, carrots, and apples, which can be done easily in a Vitamix, this is a very simple recipe. I did not add sugar and I used about half of the recommended amount of margarine.
Quinoa with Cauliflower, Cranberries and Nuts. Quinoa is okay to eat on Passover, even for Ashkenazi Jews!
Mashed potatoes and cauliflower, courtesy of guests Warren and Michelle. I thought I was eating mashed potatoes -- the cauliflower makes this a healthier dish with more fiber and nutrients.
My dinner plate, with salad, Vegetable and Matzoh Casserole from Roberta Kalechofsky's
The Vegan Pesach Cookbook, kugel, quinoa, mashed potatoes, and veggies.
Dessert! No Bake Chocolate Matzoh Roll from
The Vegan Pesach Cookbook.
Chocolate brownies brought by my friend Debbie. Basically, a chocolate brownie box mix prepared using flax seeds instead of eggs.
A successful evening! I look forward to hosting another seder next year.
