How to do Passover? (long)

March 6, 2006

Okay, we've touched on this briefly in the past, but now Passover is

just a little over a month away, and I'm boggled by the idea of trying

to do Passover gf for the first time. I have always kept Passover

pretty carefully (not as strict as some), and I've always enjoyed

baking and cooking many specialties for only this time of year. I

just can't get my mind around not having matza or matza meal, matza

brei, matza with butter, matza with gefilte fish, matza kugel, etc.

What else do you eat for breakfast or a quick snack (other than those

terrific crepes we've been making), now that matza hot cereal and

matza crackers are banned? How many potatoes and eggs can one family

actually eat before revolting, anyway?

I was raised Ashkenazic (sp?), not using rice or beans during

Passover, so I'm a little uncomfortable with some of the gf Passover

recipies I've seen that use rice or bean flour. Do we have to " go

Saphardic " in order to have a decently enjoyable week? Is it okay to

have matza in the house for those who can eat it, or is that just too

much of a cross-contamination issue? Am I ultimately going to decide

to " forget about it " and not do Passover anymore because it is too

much of a big deal? (I hope not!) Also what about going to the

family seder at my sis-in-law's house? She keeps strictly kosher and,

while willing to allow us to bring our special food, certainly will

want whatever we bring into the house to be kosher for Passover only.

Do we worry about cross-contamination with all the matza flying

around the table, and how do we deal with that? We will not consider

skipping this important family event.

Please excuse me for so many questions. I hope they aren't too

neurotic. It all seems very overwhelming to me right now. Passover

has always been one of my favorite food holidays, and I really want to

do this right (gf) without losing the fun of it, if possible. Yes, I

know there is plenty of " plain food " that is fine during Passover, but

sometimes you need to have more than that, especially for a holiday.

I will be looking for those " Pesach crumbs " and other items, but I can

really use some practical, doing-Passover-all-8-days advice.

Hopefully,

Laurie in NJ

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