A Passed-Down Passover

Recipes for asparagus, brisket, kugel, and a torte, all kosher for Passover

By Zoe Singer for Kveller.com
Brisket
Asparagus with Egg
Potato Kugel
Flourless Walnut Torte
Mocha Cream Frosting

In a 65-year-old, silent, black and white home movie of my maternal family's seder, everyone seems to be laughing and joking. I've scrutinized the six minute movie, wondering what they were talking about, and I've tried to glimpse the food too: a split second shot of my great-great uncle scooping up my great-Aunt Gertie's famous gefilte fish with gusto (the recipe now too arcane for me to dust off, even for a holiday) and some mysterious cousin savoring a matzah ball.

The film cuts out after the soup, and I'm left only with my mom and uncle's jotted-down recipes and vague memories. Our Passover Walnut Cake--another Aunt Gertie legacy--is a true gem. And while no one remembers for sure, a potato kugel and our wonderfully simple family brisket have always seemed just right for our seders.

I build our menu around these memories, inevitably updating the kugel, which we make in a cast iron skillet since we like it crispy, and the asparagus, which we roast and toss with balsamic, then garnish with minced hard-cooked eggs. After all, what seder is complete without dozens of hard-cooked eggs? And of course, there's always glass after glass of wine. All of which tends to result in a scene not so different from our grainy old home movie: laughing, swaying adults, emboldened kids asking questions, and really good food.

Below you'll find recipes for Crispy Asparagus with Minced Egg, Holiday Brisket, Cast Iron Potato Kugel, Flourless Walnut Torte, and Mocha Cream Frosting.

Crispy Asparagus with Minced Egg
Serves 10

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