Delicious Dishes and Kosher Wines for Your Seder Table

Bring something new to Passover with these fresh recipes and 20 recommended kosher wines

Laurie Woolever
Posted: March 19, 2010

Passover, the holiday which commemorates the ancient Hebrews' exodus from Egypt, begins at sundown on Monday, March 29. It's a holiday whose recipes and food customs are synonymous with tradition, so rather than try to improve on your grandmother's brisket recipe or the kugel your family has been enjoying for generations, we asked the experts at Brooklyn, N.Y.'s Pomegranate, one of the largest kosher supermarkets in the United States, to share some recipes that make a break with tradition while remaining kosher for Passover. To accompany these recipes, and everything on your Passover table, we've also included a list of new-release kosher wines that we've reviewed this year. All of the wines are from Israel, with the exception of a South African Chardonnay.

Grilled Turkey Cutlets with Citrus Glaze

Note: Turkey cutlets, which are skinless and boneless segments of turkey breast, sliced across the grain, are a fresh alternative to chicken breasts, though this recipe would also work well with chicken or veal, and the glaze could be used on a roasted or grilled salmon fillet. Serve this dish with roasted vegetables and pair with any of the Chardonnays or the rosé or Fumé Blanc from the list below.

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh garlic
• 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 6 turkey cutlets
• 1/4 cup chopped shallots
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 1/2 cups orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup sugar

1. In a large bowl, combine garlic, 1/2 cup oil, parsley, thyme and salt and pepper to taste. Add the turkey and toss to evenly coat the meat with the oil and seasoning mixture. Preheat a grill or grill pan until very hot. Remove the turkey from the bowl, let excess oil drip off and grill for 4 minutes per side. Remove from grill and set aside, keeping warm.

2. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the shallots and cook them over translucent and slightly golden. Carefully add the wine, orange and lemon juices, which will splatter when added to the hot oil, then stir in the sugar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue to cook until the mixture has reduced and thickened to glaze consistency, about five minutes. Remove from the heat, pour or brush the glaze over the turkey cutlets and serve immediately. Serves 6.

Veal Spareribs

Note: Beef spareribs will take well to this preparation, and the sweet, tangy sauce also complements roast chicken, turkey or duck. Pair with any of the reds below, especially those with smoky and/or meaty notes.

• 12 veal spareribs
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 cup honey
• 1 20-ounce jar kosher-for-Passover duck sauce
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh garlic
• 3 cups water

1. Preheat the oven to 450° F (230° C).

2. Season the ribs all over with salt and pepper and arrange on a greased baking sheet. Roast in the oven 1 hour, uncovered, then remove ribs from the oven and reduce heat to 350° F (180° C).

3. In a mixing bowl, combine the paprika, honey, duck sauce, garlic and water and whisk to combine. Transfer the ribs to a deep roasting pan. Pour the sauce mixture over the ribs, cover and return to the oven for another 1 1/2 hours. Uncover the pan, increase the temperature to 450° F (230° C) and cook for an additional 20 minutes, basting occasionally with the sauce. Remove from oven and serve. Serves 8.

RECOMMENDED KOSHER WINES

The following are highlights from new-release kosher wines that we have reviewed this year, chosen for their quality, price and/or availability as indicated by the cases produced or imported. WineSpectator.com members can find view additional kosher wines in our Wine Ratings Search; see our lists of additional wines reviewed in 2010 and wines rated in 2009, which may still be available in the market.

Very fresh and focused, showing concentrated red cherry and plum flavors, with plenty of berry and smoke notes. The vibrant finish features raspberry and chocolate. Kosher. Drink now through 2014. 1,330 cases made. —K.M.

There's good definition and structure to the raspberry, plum pudding and dark currant flavors, followed by a mouthfilling finish of dark chocolate and spice, with rum raisin notes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Kosher. Drink now through 2014. 600 cases made. —K.M.

This muscular and balanced red offers juicy dark currant, plum and dark cherry flavors that feature smoky and meaty accents. Mint and dark chocolate fill the dense finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Kosher. Drink now through 2013. 2,876 cases made. —K.M.

This has concentrated black olive and dark plum flavors that are firm and powerful, with a long finish of dark chocolate, smoke and mint. Kosher. Drink now through 2013. 1,865 cases made. —K.M.

Ripe, with good power behind the dark plum, dark cherry and Asian spice flavors. There's lots of licorice and black olive on the smoky finish, with hints of dark chocolate. Kosher. Drink now through 2014. 500 cases imported. —K.M.

Fresh-tasting despite its age, with wild plum, berry and dried raspberry flavors. Finishes with accents of smoked meat and pepper. Kosher. Drink now. 2,927 cases made. —K.M.

Dark plum flavors dominate this ripe red, which features muscular tannins and fresh acidity. The finish is minerally, with hints of herb. Kosher. Drink now through 2013. 4,500 cases made. —K.M.

A muscular red, with meaty and smoky overtones to the dark plum, dried raspberry and black olive flavors. Finishes with mocha and dark chocolate. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Kosher. Drink now. 1,500 cases made. —K.M.

This fruity red shows black olive and roasted plum flavors, finishing with lip-smacking spiced cherry and chocolate notes. Kosher. Drink now. 2,500 cases imported. —K.M.

A buttery style, showing ripe flavors of apple and pear, with notes of golden raisin. There's lots of spice and smoke on the finish. Kosher. Drink now. 4,000 cases made. —K.M.

A fresh red, with good cut to the dark plum, blackberry and dried berry flavors. The long finish features mocha and dark chocolate. Kosher. Drink now through 2013. 2,500 cases imported. —K.M.

A supple red, with red plum and berry flavors that are crisp and well-structured. Offers mint and chocolate on the fresh finish. Kosher. Drink now through 2014. 3,000 cases made. —K.M.

Medium-bodied and juicy, with fresh flavors of peach, apricot and pear. Spicy finish. Kosher. Drink now. 1,250 cases made. —K.M.

Medium-bodied, offering fresh chewy flavors of red cherry and plum, with hints of red peach. Easygoing, with plenty of fresh spice and cedar notes on the finish. Kosher. Drink now. 2,500 cases made. —K.M.

A fresh, juicy rosé, with plum, red cherry and melon flavors that finish with spicy notes and hints of white chocolate. Barbera and Merlot. Kosher. Drink now. 1,670 cases made. —K.M.

Firm, almost tart, with currant and red berry flavors. Mineral and mocha frame the fresh finish. Kosher. Drink now. 2,900 cases made. —K.M.

Friendly and forward, featuring apple and pear notes backed by a hint of apple skin on the finish. Kosher. Drink now. 120 cases imported. —J.M.

Medium-bodied, offering pear and citrus flavors, with some herbal notes. The finish is ripe and juicy. Kosher. Drink now. 16,665 cases made. —K.M.

Firm, with savory herbal components to the plum, dried berry and dried cherry flavors. Shows hints of mint on the fresh finish. Kosher. Drink now. 4,500 cases made. —K.M.

This has a minerally, herbal aroma, with firm flavors of red plum and mocha. Features bittersweet chocolate on the finish. Kosher. Drink now. 2,500 cases made. —K.M.