Tag: passover

Figs Stuffed with Sesame Mint and Quinoa: Cookbook Giveaway

Passover is here, and Easter is this weekend, so how about a great looking quinoa appetizer and fabulous cookbook giveaway? A flavorful trio including dried cranberries, quinoa and cool mint combines with lush fresh figs in this creative appetizer for Figs Stuffed with Sesame, Mint and Quinoa. Other fruits, such as halved apricots or pitted Medjool dates, may be used in place of the figs.

This recipe along with 499 others can be found in this comprehensive cookbook by Camilla Saulsbury published by Robert Rose books (my publisher).  You will also learn how to stock your quinoa pantry, how to cook quinoa, the thermos method, how to add it to baked goods, how to toast it, how to sprout it, how to create quinoa flour and more.

For a chance to win this giveaway, leave a comment telling me why you like quinoa. The winner will be drawn on Thursday, April 4th  at 8 a.m central.

 Additional entries can be earned by doing the following below:

1. Like Alison Lewis on Facebook

2. Follow Alison Lewis on Twitter

3. Follow Alison Lewis on Pinterest

4. Tweet about the giveaway I entered the quinoa cookbook giveaway via @alisonlewis #giveaway http://wp.me/ptHvn-atO

Kale Matzo Brei Recipe

Matzo Brei, known as matzo and eggs, is commonly eaten as a breakfast food during Passover, when only unleavened bread is permitted. This dish can be prepared frittata or omelette style, and it can be made savory or sweet. I love it with sautéed kale which I never actually have tried or even thought of before until now. This Kale Matzo Brei recipe is my newest favorite Passover favorite. It’s a great way to incorporate healthy kale into your breakfast. The best part is that my kids really liked it, and asked why didn’t I think of this before. 🙂

10 Best Passover Desserts

I can’t believe that Passover starts on Monday night. I have been receiving a bunch of emails asking me for Passover recipes and ideas. I thought I would share 10 Passover desserts that I really like and are unique. I will start with my Passover Granola which is actually snack, dessert or breakfast, but it’s still sweet goodness that the entire family will love. Hope you enjoy and have a great Passover if you are celebrating this year!

Matzo Chocolate Mint Ice Cream Cake via Martha Stewart

Crunchy Pecan Cookies via Gourmet

Mandel Bread via Ingredients, Inc.

Too Good to be Called Passover Cake via Recipe.com

Chocolate Souffle Cookies via Fine Cooking 

Charoset Truffles via Mac & Cheese

Dark Chocolate Cranberry Orange Matzo Bark via Jelly Toast

Walnut Date Torte via Gourmet

Gluten Free Passover Chocolate Pistachio Cake via Urban Baker

My Top 4 Favorite Passover Desserts

I can’t believe Passover is right around the corner starting the evening of April 6th. I have had so many requests and emails about recipes I featured last year. Here are my top 3 favorite desserts. The first one is Passover Strawberry Bars (pictured above). All of these three Passover desserts are so easy to make, budget friendly, and they do not taste like your average Passover dessert. Trust me.

The Best Passover Brownies 

Classic Mandel Bread

No Bake Cookies

The Best Passover Brownies

Since I have been working with so many brownie recipe variations for one of my food clients, I realized I needed to create the Best Passover Brownie. This ingredient combination worked like a charm. When I took them out of the oven, I took a picture and put them on Facebook (I was so excited how they turned out). I had a lot of people wanting the recipe ASAP so here it is. It is so easy and fabulous. My friend said, “These are the best Passover Brownies I have ever tasted.” I hope that you like them too, and that they sweeten up your holiday.

Classic Passover Mandel Bread

Every year my sister, Julie, and sister-in-law, Debby, make the best Mandel Bread for Passover. If you haven’t tried Mandel Bread before, it’s very similar to biscotti. It is a great Passover dessert, afternoon snack or perfect for breakfast served with coffee or tea. I will warn you that it is also super addictive, so once you start, you almost can’t stop eating it. You can make it with or without chocolate chips, but this version with lemon juice and almond extract is wonderful.

Charoseth or Haroseth Traditional for Passover

I have to apologize that I am slightly behind on my Passover recipes to share with you. I was at the Mom 2 Summit conference last week in New Orleans attending and speaking, and I honestly got behind. Many friends have been asking me about traditional Passover foods and the Passover Seder, so I must share this simple recipe for Haroseth (also spelled and pronounced Charoseth). This mixture of wine, nuts and apples is a symbol of the mortar used by the Israelites to bond bricks while they were in slavery in Egypt. It is traditional to serve this with matzoh during the Seder meal with, and without, horseradish. It has an awesome flavor, and it is always is a hit!

Passover Strawberry Bars

My sister, Julie, and her friend, Toby, bake great Passover desserts every year. This year, they tried a new recipe for Strawberry Bars which I just love. These awesome Passover bars remind me of a breakfast bar, but they are wonderful for dessert or an afternoon snack. You could also use apricot preserves as a variation if you like. This easy Passover recipe makes a lot, so it’s perfect to serve (and even give away) for the Passover holiday. Enjoy and happy holiday!

Great Passover or Easter Dish: Mediterranean Chicken

Passover, one of the most widely celebrated Jewish holidays, is only a few weeks away, beginning on April 18th. I have had so many email and tweets for recipe ideas, so I thought I would share this Mediterranean Chicken recipe which is a family favorite. This recipe and a Passover menu will be featured in the spring issue of “Yum Food” Magazine. This chicken is simple, yet elegant, and it’s perfect for Easter as well as all holidays.

Delicious and Healthy Easter or Passover Side Dish: Vegetarian Stuffed Zucchini

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I made this recipe last year on NBC 13 “Daytime Alabama” for Passover and Easter, and it was a hit. This Stuffed Zucchini recipe was one of my kid’s favorites (believe it or not). This recipe for Stuffed Zucchini only has 150 calories per serving, 2.g grams of fat and only 13 carbs, and the cost per recipe is only $7.03 (for 4 people, very economical for fresh veggies).

My youngest son, Zachary said, “This tastes almost like a vegetable pizza.” I have to admit. He was right.  So, if you’re looking for a new healthy side dish for Passover, Easter or for anytime during the year, try these. I bet you will be pleasantly surprised. It’s really easy too. I promise!