Passover favorites

Even with their restrictions, the foods of Passover are wide-ranging, multicultural and surprising. Here are some of our favorite new and old holiday recipes, including starters, salads, soups, side dishes, main courses and desserts, from our Recipe Finder archives.

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This Nash Brisket recipe is a great make ahead meal, the meat tastes better after a few days refigeration.

Ricky Carioti / WASHINGTON POST

This <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2013/03/20/matzoh-lasagna/'>Matzoh Lasagna</a> is a simple, kosher-for-Passover version of the classic Italian recipe.

This Matzoh Lasagna is a simple, kosher-for-Passover version of the classic Italian recipe.

Ricky Carioti / WASHINGTON POST

A no-bake dessert or snack that’s great throughout the Passover holiday, <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2013/03/20/mini-fruit-truffles/'>Mini Fruit Truffles</a>.

A no-bake dessert or snack that’s great throughout the Passover holiday, Mini Fruit Truffles.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Chef Toddy Gray’s lightened up <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2013/03/20/todds-modern-day-brisket/'>Modern Day Brisket</a> may be a blessing on a laden Passover table.

Chef Toddy Gray’s lightened up Modern Day Brisket may be a blessing on a laden Passover table.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Clean and bright-tasting; consider this <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2013/03/20/mango-pineapple-and-pomegranate-salad/'>Mango, Pineapple and Pomegranate Salad</a> the fresh alternative to those Passover candy orange slices.

Clean and bright-tasting; consider this Mango, Pineapple and Pomegranate Salad the fresh alternative to those Passover candy orange slices.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Mina is a Jewish Sephardi Passover pie made with matzoh crust. There are many variations of minas throughout the Sephardi world. This <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2013/03/20/mina-de-carne/'>Mina de Carne</a> is made with beef and served with a shredded cabbage salad.

Mina is a Jewish Sephardi Passover pie made with matzoh crust. There are many variations of minas throughout the Sephardi world. This Mina de Carne is made with beef and served with a shredded cabbage salad.

Ricky Carioti / WASHINGTON POST

Fennel and Kohlrabi Salad

Lots of fresh taste and crunch in a first-course dish that comes together in minutes.

MARVIN JOSEPH/TWP / THE WASHINGTON POST

An <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2008/04/16/tilapia-and-red-grapefruit-seviche/'>alternative</a> for those who don’t care for gefilte fish.

Tilapia and Grapefruit Seviche

An alternative for those who don’t care for gefilte fish.

MARVIN JOSEPH/TWP / THE WASHINGTON POST

Passover Popover Rolls

These could qualify as the gougeres of the holiday. They’re easy enough to make daily and use for sandwiches.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Classic Matzoh Balls

These are light and airy “floaters” as opposed to sinkers; could seltzer water be the key?

Bill O'Leary / WASHINGTON POST

Matzoh Balls Without Schmaltz

This reduced-fat version manages to stay fluffy and light.

Bill O'Leary / WASHINGTON POST

A <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2012/03/28/lemon-and-honey-artichokes-passover/'>spring treat</a> that’s worth the effort it takes to prep them, from California cooking instructor Linda Capeloto Sendowski.

Lemon and Honey Artichokes for Passover

A spring treat that’s worth the effort it takes to prep them, from California cooking instructor Linda Capeloto Sendowski.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Carrots and Almonds

A light and pretty side dish flavored with orange, from food writer Marge Perry.

Rene Comet

Good enough for a Seder; fills the bill for a midweek <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2012/03/28/zucchini-quajado-passover/'>breakfast or lunch</a>.

Zucchini Quajado for Passover

Good enough for a Seder; fills the bill for a midweek breakfast or lunch.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Salmon With Pink Peppercorn Sauce

Fit for a centerpiece, this gluten-free light main course can be served warm, chilled or at room temperature.

James M. Thresher / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2011/04/20/chicken-scaloppine-glazed-vegetable-tzimmes/'>Here</a>, tzimmes is transformed into a light vegetable and fruit topping appropriate with chicken cutlets.

Chicken Scaloppine With Glazed Vegetable Tzimmes

Here, tzimmes is transformed into a light vegetable and fruit topping appropriate with chicken cutlets.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Pomegranate and orange juices, wine and date molasses cook down to form shiny, <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2008/04/16/lamb-shanks-root-vegetables/'>rich glaze</a>.

Lamb Shanks With Root Vegetables

Pomegranate and orange juices, wine and date molasses cook down to form shiny, rich glaze.

MARVIN JOSEPH/TWP / THE WASHINGTON POST

From Washington chef <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2009/01/21/braised-beef-brisket-with-onions/'>David Scribner</a>; if you choose to use the optional flour, make it matzoh cake meal flour.

Braised Brisket With Onions

From Washington chef David Scribner; if you choose to use the optional flour, make it matzoh cake meal flour.

Len Spoden (703) 598-7427 / FREELANCE

Super Roast Brisket

This can be made in a slow cooker. Coca-Cola’s the sweetener in the sauce.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

A Nina Simonds’ <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2007/03/28/tender-brisket-and-vegetables-smoky-paprika/'>recipe</a> that cooks main dish and side dish together.

Tender Brisket With Smoky Vegetables and Paprika

A Nina Simonds’ recipe that cooks main dish and side dish together.

Rene Comet

A classic that’s often copied, from Montreal baker and cookbook author Marcy Goldman. The <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2009/04/01/mock-chestnut-torte-matzoh-praline/'>recipe</a> includes her signature Caramel Matzoh Crunch.

Mock Chestnut Torte With Matzoh Praline

A classic that’s often copied, from Montreal baker and cookbook author Marcy Goldman. The recipe includes her signature Caramel Matzoh Crunch.

n/a / N/A

A triumph from kosher baker and cookbook author Paula Shoyer, with a <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2011/04/13/passover-key-lime-pie/'>walnut crust</a>.

Passover Key Lime Pie

A triumph from kosher baker and cookbook author Paula Shoyer, with a walnut crust.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Lemon Layer Cake

The crumb is so tender and light, you’d never know this was a Passover dessert.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Passover Granola

This makes a great snack, yogurt topping and cereal, from Dallas cooking teacher Tina Wasserman.

Julia Ewan / TWP

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 13: Many seminary graduates are choosing not to become pastors. Rebecca J. Cole received her Master of Divinity and is becoming a community organizer on Capitol Hill. She hugs another graduate after the ceremony. The 2013 Commencement ceremony for Wesley Theological Seminary was held on May 13 at the Washington National Cathedral. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

Eager to minister, but not from the pulpit

An increasing number of divinity students who don’t plan to become pastors envision using their degrees to “minister” in a...

ARLINGTON, VA- MAY 17: Thousands of bike enthusiasts took to the streets Friday, May 17, 2013 in celebration of Bike to Work day. Bikers leave the Rosslyn Gateway Park pit stop on Friday morning. Commuter Connections and The Washington Area Bicyclist Association hosted cyclists at 70 pit stops across the metropolitan region. (Photo by Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post)

Thousands participate in Bike to Work Day

More than 14,000 people registered for the area's annual celebration of commuting on two wheels.

epa03704474 A Muslim woman at the ThetKalPyin temporary relief camp near Sittwe in Rakhine State, Western Myanmar, 17 May 2013. A total of 13 people were confirmed dead in neighboring Bangladesh as people began to return home from shelters, a day after Cyclone Mahasen hit the coast, officials said 17 May. EPA/NYEIN CHAN NAING

Photos of the day

Cyclone Mahasen, Texas tornadoes, puffin census, melting Swiss glacier and more.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 16: American Idol Season 12 Winner Candice Glover (C) is seen onstage during Fox's 'American Idol 2013' Finale Results Show at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Candice Glover wins 12th season of ‘American Idol’

The 23-year-old vocal powerhouse from St. Helena Island, S.C., tops competition in her third try.

US actress Claire Julien smiles on May 16, 2013 while posing during a photocall for the film 'The Bling Ring' at the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. Cannes, one of the world's top film festivals, opened on May 15 and will climax on May 26 with awards selected by a jury headed this year by Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Claire Julien, David Hasselhoff, Freida Pinto, Candice Glover, Martin Short and more.

**LOC IMAGE** Geo. Hamilton, Assistant Superintendent, Cambria Iron Mills house, Johnstown Flood, May 31st, 1889. (Photo by Ernest Walter Histed / Library of Congress)

The Johnstown Flood of 1889

On May 31, 1889, the South Fork dam that held Lake Conemaugh failed, and 20 million tons of water descended upon Johnstown, Pa. The flood claimed the lives of 2,209 people and spurred...

HACIPASA, TURKEY - MAY 5: Syrian refugee Hala ponders her life on the run on Sunday, May 5, 2013, in Hacipasa, Turkey. Three times this morning, the sounds of aircrafts were followed by explosions that shook the ground. Hacipasa, which sits just across the river border from Syria, is home of several hundred Syrian refugees who have been displaced by their home country's conflict. For a year, Hala and her family have been displaced from their home village in Syria because of violent conflict. After bouncing from village to village, fleeing bombings that seemed to follow them, the family crossed into Turkey six weeks ago. Initially, the family was deported back into Syria, where they lived in camps for internally displaced Syrians. But when the camps were bombed, the family was allowed to cross into Turkey. Hala said, 'The blood of the people who died in Syria, the martyrs, is our sad song, but nobody is listening.' (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Turkey faces a refugee crisis

More than 400,000 Syrians have crossed into Turkey seeking refuge from the conflict at home. Finding its resources stretched, Turkey is urgently appealing for international aid and...

(FILES) In this file picture taken on January 31, 2013 British football player David Beckham poses presenting his new jersey after a press conference at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. David Beckham is to retire from professional football at the end of the season, his representative announced on May 16, 2013. The 38-year-old midfielder has played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy and AC Milan, as well as winning 115 caps for England, and recently won the French Ligue 1 championship with Paris Saint-Germain. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFEFRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

David Beckham announces his retirement

The 38-year-old British soccer superstar says he will retire when his French team’s season ends May 26.

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