Passover begins on the evening of April 5, and, as with all holidays, the meal is at the heart of this spiritual and familial celebration. The meal, or Seder, is not only meant for feasting-but for remembering as it's symbolic of the journey of the Jewish people from bondage to freedom. Striking the right balance between tasty and traditional can be a challenge with various dietary restrictions, but every dish tells a different part of the Passover story.
The biggest obstacle is the ban of leavened bread, or chometz. Chometz is bread made from flour (wheat, oat, spelt, rye, or barley) that has been in contact with water for more than 18 minutes and therefore has a chance to rise. Before Passover, families cleanse their homes of all leavened bread in honor of the ancient Hebrews who fled Egypt in haste before their bread could rise.
Andrew Dana and Daniela Moreira, the owners of Call Your Mother delis, have clever-and zany-solutions with their high holiday spins. Their Passover tacos, a favorite from their memories with Jewish families in Florida and Argentina, are the perfect diversion from the normal, while adhering to the norms. Call Your Mother has fun pre-made Passover taco kits featuring pastrami, or cauliflower for vegetarians. They are served with kosher tortillas.
For strict traditionalists, a Seder dinner starts with matzo ball soup, gefilte fish and a salad— often times made with farfel, or crushed matzo.
“I had a customer make me swear that we don’t use bread crumbs in our salad,” says Sam Lerner who runs Attman’s Deli, named Best Jewish Deli by Washington Jewish Week. His staples like chopped liver, potato kugel, latkes, and Passover rolls are prepared at the deli in preparation for the holiday.
Shopping at a Jewish deli is especially important this time of year as most supermarkets only offer gefilte fish, for example, in cans or jars. At Brooklyn’s Deli, family owned and operated in Potomac, you can find chef Guy Brandt’s popular brisket, a Passover mainstay, because it’s a kosher meat that can feed a crowd. Family recipes such as a braised brisket with carrots and onions are passed from one generation to the next.
Alongside the main course, a Seder also includes vegetables, as well as matzo-based recipes like Passover popovers.
For dessert, Lerner’s standbys are his flourless chocolate torte, Passover cheesecake with a toasted matzo crust, Passover strawberry shortcake, and almond and chocolate macaroons, which he adds are “fresh not canned.” Also not to be missed are Call Your Mother’s matzo-brittle topped with caramel and pecans.
Of course, no meal is complete without elegant wine offerings. Each participant in the Seder drinks four cups of wine throughout the evening at fixed points, which represent the four promises of redemption associated with the exodus. Passover celebrants can find Kosher spirits like Segal's Wild Fermentation Cabernet Sauvignon, or Petit Castel, a rich Bordeaux for the French wine lover, at Total Wine & More.
Sidebar: Locally Sourced
Attman's Deli
12505 Park Potomac Avenue
Potomac, MD 20854
(301) 765-3354
Brooklyn's Deli
1089 Seven Locks Road
Potomac, MD 20854
301.340.3354
Call Your Mother
11807 Grand Park Ave
North Bethesda, MD 20852
(240) 880-2888
Total Wine & More
46301 Potomac Run Plaza
Sterling, VA 20164
(703) 433-0522
About Attman's Authentic New York Delicatessen
A family affair since 1915, Attman's has established its reputation as a leading delicatessen. Today, you will find the same delicious foods, outstanding personnel, and friendly service that has been maintained for over three generations.
Attman's has the flavor and excitement like that of the East Side of New York City, where the taste of real Jewish hot corned beef or pastrami makes your mouth water for more.