Spiritual Technology 3: Passover in Flatbush - Food and Folly

Do I see a theme developing ? I am afraid so. From the Sacred to the Profane and Back again. Just a post to wish a Happy Passover to y'all who celebrate it, and a Happy Spring to those who don't. The flora in Flatbush is only matched by the beautiful clear skies this week. Spring is finally here.

We observe Passover in our home, which means a lot more food prep throughout the week. We try to make it fun by cooking more than usual, trying to be creative within the limits allowed. But it wouldn't be Passover without a few boxes of Passover cereal, some of which the kids like a lot, some of which they say tastes medicinal, like cardboard, etc. I have found it fascinating to see how food technology has tried to adapt, through complex, multi step recipes, and using kosher for Passover products to come up with different types of products that may involve some preparation, but which attempt to resemble products that are otherwise Not Cool for Passover. (If you are Vegan, think of Tofurkey at Thanksgiving). The Passover products are often just a shadow of what they are intended to replace, but that self-denial/abstinence is part of the point of the holiday, I guess. Some foods that you make yourself from scratch are fun adaptations, like Matzah-Pizza, or Matzah-lasagna. But others, when you try to create the illusion of a Passover rolls, doughnuts, some of the cakes, or leaden pancakes, it is just a fool's errand, so lots of things like that we just avoid. I was home from work for a few days and today whipped up a few funky Passover thangs to keep the house moving along and the kids' interest piqued. For instance, using a combination of Passover cake meal, matzah meal, potato starch and real veges and of course those staples of the holiday -- eggs and olive oil, I fashioned a vegetable cheese quiche, noodle kugel (sort of a cake-pudding hybrid with lots of dried fruits), potato kugel (straight from the box), and a couple of cakes (honey and crumb). This is not some of the healthiest eating of the year, so we try to supplement with lots of fruits and salads, etc.

OK, I am off and running. Tonite: Paul Simon at BAM. Ciao.