{"id":31374,"date":"2013-03-06T19:54:50","date_gmt":"2013-03-06T19:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ou.org\/life\/?p=31374"},"modified":"2017-05-01T08:13:40","modified_gmt":"2017-05-01T13:13:40","slug":"stress-relieving-recipes-tips-allergy-friendly-passover-tamar-warga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/life\/food\/stress-relieving-recipes-tips-allergy-friendly-passover-tamar-warga\/","title":{"rendered":"Stress-Relieving Recipes and Tips for an Allergy-Friendly Passover"},"content":{"rendered":"

Passover presents pretty significant challenges for people with nut and egg allergies: Almond-flavored egg white macaroons; egg-laden matzoh balls; hazelnut-filled chocolates; and walnut-laced charoset. It seems like nuts and eggs are in every Passover product and recipe. It\u2019s enough to drive a person with allergies or with kids who have allergies, well, nuts. It can leave you feeling overwhelmed and empty-handed, wondering, Is there anything I can make??<\/em><\/p>\n

The answer is, of course, yes. Here are a number of tips and recipes to calm your nerves and guide you (almost) effortlessly through the Pesach-cooking process.<\/p>\n

1) Relax. <\/b>Though dealing with allergies can feel especially daunting at this time of year\u2014as if there\u2019s nothing else to stress about\u2014we\u2019re never given more than we can handle. So take a deep breath and say, \u201cI can do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not just spouting platitudes; I speak from experience. Mothering multiples with food allergies (including nuts and eggs) has certainly been challenging, but it has also been inspiring. Rising to the challenge is empowering. Keep your eyes and mind on that light of the end of the tunnel: making a beautiful and safe chag<\/i> (holiday) for yourself and your family.<\/p>\n

2) Get creative. <\/b>My approach to cooking with food allergies is two-fold: 1) What do I need to stay away from? and 2) What can I substitute for it? If I can\u2019t find a reasonable substitute, I make another recipe that doesn\u2019t call for the allergenic ingredient at all. You can make an eggless potato kugel or you can serve mashed potatoes with saut\u00e9ed onions and mushrooms. Not every side dish must include eggs (surprise!).<\/p>\n

3) Plan ahead.<\/b> Plan your Pesach from the first Seder<\/i> (the ceremonial Passover dinner) night to the last day. Keep your kitchen stocked with acceptable foods and freeze the more complicated dishes in advance. Have nut-free charoses<\/i> (sweet, dark-colored, paste eaten at the\u00a0Seder<\/i>) available for the Sedarim<\/i>, skip the hard-boiled eggs, and go over the menu carefully for sources of nuts and eggs (such as sides and desserts). Instead of a decadent egg- and nut-based cake, serve sorbet and fresh seasonal fruit: Your guests will be delighted to have a sweet, light finish to a heavy meal.<\/p>\n

4) Stock up. <\/b>While Passover is extra challenging with nut and egg allergies, it\u2019s actually a reprieve for people with wheat, soy, and corn allergies. Those who need to avoid these ingredients have a tough time during the year because they are often disguised in many foods as fillers and syrups. Soda typically has corn syrup, but not the Kosher for Passover version. Margarine typically has corn and soy, but not on Passover. Stock up on the corn syrup- free ketchup and gluten- free blintzes while you can!<\/p>\n

5) Finally, cook. <\/b>All my recipes are free of: wheat, dairy, eggs, nuts, fish, corn and soy.\u00a0 They\u2019re simple and flavorful and made with readily available ingredients. The directions are easy to follow so you can get out of the kitchen and enjoy the holiday. The idea is to make things simpler, right?<\/p>\n

May you be liberated from Pre-Passover Allergy Anxiety Syndrome: Let’s experience A Taste of Freedom<\/a>\u00a0<\/i>this Pesach.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n
\n

\"apples<\/a>Nut-Free Charoset<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Ingredients<\/span>:<\/h4>\n