On the Chocolate Trail

I hope that you enjoy this version of the traditional four questions at Passover.

1.  How might I use chocolate to create new approaches to my Seder?

You may wish to experience the ancient Seder and Passover themes through chocolate and related issues of child slavery, economic justice and fair trade.  A Haggadah for a Chocolate Seder uses chocolate for the Seder’s ritual foods to deepen meaningful conversation about values and challenges of chocolate growing and production. This Haggadah could supplement your current favorite or simply provide a chocolatey supplement for your celebration. An article about these chocolate Seder options and the Haggadah appeared in the March 11 edition of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

2. What makes this chocolate different?

For some people it might be the quality of the chocolate and for others it might be the hechsher/certification as kosher of Passover that determines what will be consumed during Passover. I tend to be among the former. You may wish to consider kosher for Passover chocolate and related controversies, pricing, ingredients, and certifications. Since I observe according to Sephardi custom and eat beans during Pesach, I generally ignore those certifications which are Ashkenazi. They are often focused on the prohibition of soy lecithin which emulsifies and smooths the chocolate. I read the labels carefully, looking for quality chocolate. You may find more about this at the blog post What Makes This Chocolate Different From All Other Chocolate.

3. What are some great chocolate Pesach desserts?

On the Chocolate Trail includes some delicious chocolate recipes for Passover and others that could be easily adapted to be leaven free. Save the Chocolate Charoset Truffles for dessert or spread them on matzah for the Hillel sandwich. Use the Israeli Chocolate Spread to create a matzah layered cake or breakfast/lunch meals. You cannot go wrong with the Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Matzah Brickle, or the Cognac Truffles.

One of our favorite chocolate makers, Charles Siegel, has reopened his business in its third incarnation, I believe. I wrote about him and how he met his wife through chocolate covered matzah in 2010 in Finding Your Bashert Through Chocolate Matzah. His new products, available on line, include chocolate covered matzah.

4. What are some fun chocolate table decorations?

Any number of chocolate items could provide centerpieces for Passover.  Chocolate shaped flowers, perhaps. Or, a Seder plate and ritual foods made of chocolate. Or how about a $70 Chocolate Moses?  (The chocolate Jesus is less expensive.)

By all means let me know if you have any further questions.