Purim Food With A Theme

Recipes

Written by Elke Probkevitz

Thursday, 10 March 2011 14:55

Purim is so much fun for kids and adults alike. Giving and receiving shalach manos might be one of the biggest perks for the kids. The home is inundated with baskets filled with goodies and treats, and the kids are thrilled at the sight of more treats than they are allowed all year long. Instead of the usual bag-o-junk, haphazardly loaded up with sugar-filled sweets, coming up with a theme for your shalach manos makes it a fun, creative way to practice the mitzvah. You can tie your shalach manos in with your costumes, or just make it a theme in itself. Here are some ideas for shalach manos themes you can create.

The recipe shalach manos. Include pre-measured ingredients to make your favorite cake or other dessert and insert a recipe card. (Make sure to have at least two ready-to-eat items as well.)

The sushi shalach manos. Sheets of nori, an avocado, container of cooked sushi rice, other vegetable strips, and soy sauce packets. For a funny twist, my husband and I gave out live goldfish with our â€œmake your own sushiâ€ kits one year, but you might not want to go that far.

The sophisticated shalach manos. A good bottle of dry wine, a cheese-and-cracker assortment, and dark chocolate.

Breakfast shalach manos. Muffin or croissant and gourmet coffee or teas placed in a coffee mug or mini box of cereal and carton of milk.

Shabbos-themed shalach manos. Homemade challah roll, grape juice or wine, jar of gefilte fish, and a mini brownie.

Movie shalach manos. Bucket of microwave popcorn, Twizzlers, chocolate candy of your choice, and a bottle of soda.

Deli-themed shalach manos. A kaiser roll, deli meat of your choice, ketchup and mustard, a pickle on the side, and a can of soda.

Chocolate shalach manos. Brownies, hot chocolate, and some beautiful chocolate truffles placed in a decorative metal can.

Healthful shalach manos. Mini Tupperware with vegetable strips, a small container with low-cal dressing, and a mini bottle of water.

Here is an adult treat that you can add to any of your shalach manos ideas. Infusing vodka with candy flavors is a popular trend. Vodka comes in flavored varieties, but you can make your own brightly colored assortments with very little effort. There are many ways to do it. This way involves separating jawbreakers or jelly beans by their flavors and making four or five different bottles of candy vodka.

Candy-Spiked Vodka

Ingredients:

1.75-liter bottle of vodka
five 8.5-oz. flasks or bottles
1 lb. jawbreakers or jelly beans
five empty plastic water bottles

Directions:

You will need a funnel, measuring cup, and coffee filters or paper towels.

Separate the candies into different flavors. Fill the water bottles with about 6 ounces of vodka each. Pour one flavor of candy into each bottle, cover tightly, and shake vigorously. Let candy soak and infuse for a few hours or overnight. Shake again. Candy should dissolve completely. Put a funnel or fine mesh strainer in the measuring cup and line with coffee filter or paper towels. Pour into a flask or bottle and repeat with other flavors. Put bottles in freezer overnight, then serve. You can also divide into mini-flasks to place in shalach manos baskets.

Want to learn how to cook gourmet, delicious meals right in your own kitchen? Take one-on-one cooking lessons or give a gift to an aspiring cook that you know. For more information, contact Take Home Chef personal chef services by calling 516-508-3663, writing to elke@TakeHomeChef.net, or visiting www.TakeHomeChef.net.