Jim, the recipe for matzo balls contains baking powder- not allowed, along with any leavening agents, for passover. It's fine for the rest of the year.
The charoset recipe looks WONDERFUL. I love the dried fruits and spices! A nice change from the Eastern European apple/nut version.
The seder plate is a must for any seder- ritual foods to look at, learn about and (some) to taste. If it's simply a meal to taste the foods, the seder plate isn't necessary- it's part of the ritual retelling of the story of the Exodus from Egypt. It would make a nice display, though.
Although Jews from the Mediterranean, North Africa and middle east do eat rice, European Jews do not. No grains are permitted, nor legumes. I recently learned quinoa is botanically a fruit, so it's permitted.
My seder menu this year will include gefilte fish with horseradish, chicken soup with matzo balls, beef brisket, mashed potatoes and asparagus (someone else is bringing it, so I have no idea how it will be prepared). Dessert will be delicious almond macaroon horns dipped in chocolate, which my sister-in-law will buy in the Chicago suburbs, and a big plate of Mock Oatmeal Cookies. The only wine we'll use will be for ritual use- the sweet
Manischewitz concord grape. If there's any good fresh fruit in the store, I'll put out a platter of that as well. Oh, yeah: that stand-in for corrugated cardboard, matzo. To me it has no charm unless it's being cooked with! We'll have enough charoset for ritual purposes, but also some extra for those who will want some for dessert.
Here's my mom's recipe for cookies, which she's made for over 40 years. They freeze well, too.
Mock Oatmeal Cookies for Passover
1 cup matzo meal
1 cup farfel (not the Nestle's dog!
)
1/3 cup margarine, melted
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup raisins
2 eggs, beaten
1 Combine all ingredients. Drop by spoonfuls onto sprayed cookie sheet (or sheet covered with parchment paper or Silpat). Bake at 350° for about 12 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning. 1/2 cup walnuts or chocolate chips may be added if desired.
Makes about 24 cookies.