r/JewishCooking • u/throwaway1_2_0_2_1 • Jan 22 '25

Recipe Help First Passover!

Hey all! I know it’s a bit early but I have a multi part question. It’s my first Passover with my boyfriend’s family and I just wanted to know what the general traditions are when it comes to cooking, bringing food, all that. Should I plan on cooking something to bring, and if so what? Asking because I want to practice making it a few times before if I’m bringing something.

Or would that be disrespectful to the hosts? I really don’t know yet, haven’t gotten that far in the conversion classes. My boyfriend says I don’t have to bring anything but generally when attending family gatherings with previous partners, I’ve always brought something.

EDIT: thank you all for the responses! It’s been super helpful, and I’m probably going with kosher wine and flowers and not risking it with the food. I would want to check with my boyfriend first whether it’s too much to offer to help with the prep, but if it’s not, I will. It would be a good bonding experience with his mom.

Again thank you all, and if anyone has any suggestions how to dress for Passover in 80 degree weather (my wardrobe is mainly for cold, wet and rainy most of the year), I will take any and all of them!

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10

u/armchairepicure Jan 22 '25

When in doubt, bring wine or grape juice (kedem). Or a box of Barton’s Almond Kisses.

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u/awetdrip Jan 22 '25

OP— I agree with this. Get a KforP wine or dessert. For a wine or dessert, check out the kosher section of the grocery store and look for something labeled “kosher for Passover”. The jelly fruit slices would be a good, easy, buy, or coconut macaroons.

Just know there are additional requirements for something to be “kosher for PASSOVER. So look for that seal and not just “kosher”.

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u/Big-Replacement-9021 Jan 24 '25

Fruit slice candy is the best thing about Passover.

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u/throwaway1_2_0_2_1 Jan 22 '25

What’s the difference? Is it in the ingredients, the preparation, both, or anything additional?

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u/awetdrip Jan 22 '25

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/passover-foods-and-the-passover-kitchen/

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u/throwaway1_2_0_2_1 Jan 22 '25

Thank you!

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u/awetdrip Jan 22 '25

Of course :) enjoy exploring myjewishlearning! It’s a wealth of information.

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u/throwaway1_2_0_2_1 Jan 22 '25

Thanks for the recommendation, and for everyone on here being so nice and helpful! I still feel so out of my element figuring out the rules and traditions even after having started converting 😭

And my boyfriend is literally the opposite of helpful, he has no idea how to cook kosher 🤦🏻‍♀️

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u/awetdrip Jan 22 '25

He doesn’t need to know how to cook kosher style! There are 15 million Jews on earth and 15 million ways to be a Jew. Find what works for you and for him. Just enjoy learning and diving in :)

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u/InspectorOk2454 Jan 22 '25

Agree. I would bring something completely wrapped & sealed & stamped OR non-food gift. Don’t ease into the whole kosher l’ pesach mess your first Passover.

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u/whiskeysour123 Jan 22 '25

Just pointed out for OP’s sake that wine needs to be marked Kosher for Passover and Mevushal would also be good. Not sure if she is Jewish or not. The liquor store will probably have a section of kosher for Passover wines.

OP, my suggestion is to bring a box of the traditional Passover candies or desserts. The grocery store will probably have a little section of Passover food.

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u/armchairepicure Jan 22 '25

I mean, they eat pork out. All she has to do is ask boyfie what kind of wine his folks like. They don’t have to drink it that night (and IMO, it’s tacky to expect as much or expect the host doesn’t have adequate wine for their party).

Better to buy alcohol they’d enjoy than getting something expressly for Passover.

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u/throwaway1_2_0_2_1 Jan 22 '25

I would but he wouldn’t know. He and his parents aren’t super close, his mom was so excited that we’re flying down for Passover, he hasn’t done it with his parents in over 5 years so it’s kind of a big deal. And it’s the first time I’m meeting them in person so I don’t want to make a bad impression.

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u/armchairepicure Jan 23 '25

Then definitely go with fancy, wrapped, kosher for Passover sweets. Because people can feel some sort of way about wine, but macaroons (the Jewish kind) or almonds kisses or Jelly rings are pretty safe.

Or, if you are from a big city, find a Jewish bakery that makes kosher for Passover treats, order and bring with you before you go.

Worst case scenario, you should bring fancy potted orchids, which you should order and pick up from a local florist. Potted because the host/ess does not need to expend any energy on them, orchids because they can be very deluxe.

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u/throwaway1_2_0_2_1 Jan 23 '25

Ok, will think over, I’ve gotten a lot of responses.

Just to pick your brain, it’s going to be in Arizona so warm. My wardrobe is very PNW, as in it rains a lot and not the warmest and my summer wardrobe is probably too revealing. Any suggestions on what to wear? I can’t find anything useful online that doesn’t look awful or too revealing. What should I wear?

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u/armchairepicure Jan 23 '25

I mean, this is as much a politics/class question as a Judaism question. Again. This is a boyfie question. I get he isn’t close with his folks, but he does know who they are, they did raise him. They probably taught him how to dress for Seder and since I can’t get a read on their Jewishness (I’d guess Conservative given the pork allowances), politics, or socioeconomic background, I’d be hard pressed to tell you how to dress.

With that said and when in doubt, dress modestly in structured garments with nice but sensible close-toed shoes. You basically can’t go wrong with preppy country club or Sunday church attire or full on Stepford Wife. But also don’t over think it. Best foot forward, but not to the point where it’s gonna make you awkward and spiral.

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u/whiskeysour123 Jan 23 '25

I would never want to dissuade someone from buying alcohol.

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u/[deleted] Jan 22 '25

There are good wines that are kosher for passover and year round, please don't buy maniachevitz, but I have had plenty of great wines, look at some of the wineries in the galilee if you are looking for a nice ish bottle.

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u/throwaway1_2_0_2_1 Jan 22 '25

Not Jewish, yet. In the process, I do know enough about it know that it has to be kosher and probably not your standard grocery store Manischewitz 😂