By Sonya Lehat

Passover; the week-long holy Jewish holiday commemorating the enslaving, and eventual liberation, of the Jews in Egypt. In short, the Jewish people did have enough time for their yeast to rise in order to make bread while they were being exiled by the Egyptians. So, they took whatever they had in limited time, unrisen yeast – also known as Matzah, or Matzot – and fled. Many Jews find it difficult to find fulfilling meals or snacks for the week of Passover as we cannot eat leavened bread and various wheat products. 

Growing up with a nutritionist as a mother, Passover for my family and I felt low maintenance. My mother had recipes and ideas up her sleeve incorporating Matzah. I spent one Passover without my family when I was 18 years old and had trouble finding exciting and good food to eat besides the default Passover breakfast: eggs and fruit. Although a diet without risen grain products isn’t abnormal for all, devoting a week’s time into entirely cutting out a food group is a mental challenge. Below is one of many recipes that has helped me enjoy Passover and halted me from walking into my beloved Pizzeria. My mother modified this recipe to make it more nutritious and healthy.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups matzo farfel
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup unsweetened/sweetened shredded coconut
• 2/3 cup walnuts (or if allergic, another topping of choice)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 6 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 1/2 cups chopped dried fruit

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven (or air fryer) to 325F. Use a baking sheet with non-stick spray!
2. Combine the farfel, chocolate chips, coconut, walnuts, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
3. Mix the coconut oil and maple syrup. 
4. Then pour mixture over the granola and stir.
5. Spread the mixture onto the rimmed baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes (Stir halfway through).
6. When golden brown, remove from the oven and transfer the granola to a large sheet of wax paper. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
7. Add the dried fruit. Toss together and enjoy!