Unique Passover Catering Ideas for Your Seder Menu

Unique Passover Catering Ideas for Your Seder Menu

Passover is one of the most widely-celebrated holidays on the Jewish calendar. The holiday is one of Three Pilgrimage Festivals, along with Shavuot and Sukkot, during which all those in Judah made a pilgrimage to the Temple of Jerusalem. Passover itself celebrates the Jews’ flight from Egypt and freedom from slavery.

Today, the holiday is celebrated in a number of different ways depending on where you are in the world. It is most commonly celebrated for seven days, with one of the staples being a Seder, or ritual dinner, on the first night.

The Seder menu may vary from place to place, family to family, but a few traditions remain constant. Each person will drink four cups of wine at fixed points throughout the evening, which represents the four promises of redemption in the story from Exodus in the Bible. Leavened bread is banned. 

The seder plate contains the symbols of Passover which include a shankbone of a lamb, a roasted egg, charoses, which is a mix of apples, nuts and honey, some bitter herbs, a green vegetable and a bowl of salt water.

While the traditions of Passover date back to ancient times, that doesn’t mean your modern-day celebration can’t take on a new twist. Here are some unique Passover catering ideas that will make your guests salivate over your Seder menu.

A Wine Pairing 

While serving Kosher wine is customary, you might try a novel idea by  and offering wine pairings part of your Seder menu.

Here are some ideas for pairing wines with specific foods as part of your Passover catering menu:

  • Zinfandel goes well with beef brisket and other smoky meats.
  • Sauvignon Blanc is a good choice for lemon and herbed salmon.
  • Chardonnay goes perfectly with roast chicken and matzo ball soup.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon is excellent with both chicken and brisket, as well as flourless chocolate cake.
  • Champagne pairs well with desserts such as classic coconut macaroons.

Latkes with Toppings

Foods with toppings are all the rage nowadays, and why not? It’s a great way to take a common food staple and turn it into something modern, unique and personal. One of the more popular foods people are doing this with today is oatmeal.

The good news is your Seder menu can integrate a similar concept — with latkes. Latkes are a traditional staple of Jewish food throughout the year, but they are always an integral part of any Passover meal. 

This year, talk to your NY caterer about taking the latke offerings to the next level by providing unique toppings. These toppings can be prepared and displayed by your NY caterer as part of your Passover catering menu, and arranged beautifully on a serving dish as a centerpiece for the evening.

Some unique latke topping ideas include: 

  • Sliced radish, wasabi roe, and sea salt
  • Diced deli meats, finely chopped pickles and a drizzle of honey
  • Sliced apple with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper
  • Avocado, tomato, red onion and black pepper
  • Mango chutney with a fresh mint sprig

The possibilities are literally endless when it comes to toppings for latkes, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

Familiar Ingredients Used in Unfamiliar Ways

A traditional Seder menu includes matzo ball soup, smoked salmon, beef brisket and kugel. Your guests will expect to see some of these familiar dishes as part of your Passover catering menu, but there’s no reason why you can’t present them in an unfamiliar way this year.

One of the biggest trends in food service is taking traditional dishes in a new direction. It’s a great way to modernize these classic dishes and keep things fresh, instead of simply presenting them the same way you always have before. 

Here are some ideas for how your NY catering company can help you present unique dishes for your Seder menu:

  • Matzo Schnitzel: use matzo meal as part of a crust for a crispy breaded chicken that has no leavened ingredients
  • Kofta Kebabs: integrate the same familiar flavors but swap out breadcrumbs for matzo meal or Passover Panko
  • Matzo Stuffing: traditional Thanksgiving-style stuffing would obviously be a no-go, but breaking up matzoh pieces and mixing it with veggies, mushrooms and dates works.
  • Vanilla Kugel: egg noodles that have a matzo base as well as wafer cookies make for the perfect Passover-friendly dessert, along with vanilla, sugar and sour cream.

Choose a NY Caterer Who Can Serve up All Your Passover Needs

The Seder meal is the integral part of the Passover celebration, and one you’ll want to make meaningful and memorable. 

If you don’t have time to cook this year, choosing the right NY catering company is essential to making sure that your Seder menu is appropriate, beautifully prepared and delicious. Paul Evans Catering, a premier New York caterer serving Manhattan to Montauk, can help you do just that. 

Paul Evans Catering has locations in Long Island, The Hamptons and Manhattan, and can help you choose among endless menu options to help you curate the perfect items for your Passover catering menu. Visit their website or call Paul Evans Catering today to plan the perfect Hamptons party. Long Island (516) 889-4101, Hamptons (631) 288-5992, Manhattan (212) 321-1822.