Monday night starts the most dreaded week on my calendar. And not just because it’s Spring Break from school and I have no childcare. People, it’s Passover. Passover + Picky Eater = Tsuris. Major tsuris.
Let’s look at the very-short list of my son’s favorite, I’ll-eat-em-any-time foods, shall we? I’ll boldface the ones that are permitted next week:
- Bagels
- Cashews & Almonds
- Challah
- Chicken Nuggets
- Crackers
- French Fries
- French Toast
- Fruit
- Granola Bars
- Honey Nut Cheerios
- Hot Dogs (the bun)
- Matzo Ball Soup
- Olives
- Pancakes
- Pasta
- Pizza
- Plain White Chicken
- Potato Chips
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- Waffles
- Yogurt
You get the idea: I’m left with fewer than ten foods to serve him for eight days. Because there ain’t no way I’m going to make a matzo-farfel-and-egg crust, top it with tomato sauce and mozzarella, and call it “pizza.” My mom tried that when I was a kid and oy, I’m still gagging. Plus, my kid doesn’t even like Matzo Brei! Freak.
Of course, if I were willing to feed Harry nothing but rainbow cookies, chocolate-covered matzo, and fruit slices, we’d have no problem.
I’ve got no clue what I’m going to do about dinner. Guess I’ll be cooking a lot of Potato Chip Fish Sticks, Potato Skins, plain chicken, and French fries.
What are your favorite, kid-friendly Passover recipes? I’m all ears.
I was wondering if exceptions can be made for children during Passover. Just curious. I have two extremely picky eaters, but they are severely autistic, so that’s sort of the least of the problem! Best wishes. This is probably too late, but have you ever baked with almond flour? I suppose it might not work un-leavened.
Technically, I don’t think there are exceptions for picky eaters ;). But we’re not super-strict here so I’m just going to do my best. And yes, I do use almond flour! Check out this chocolate raspberry cake: https://debbiekoenig.com/2012/04/11/flourless-chocolate-raspberry-torte/
maybe he’s got a week of smoothies to look forward to?
Isn’t yogurt off the list (yeast cultures?) and shouldn’t the almighty French fry be on? Chag sameach!
There is such a thing as KP yogurt! Good catch on the fries–I fixed it. Thanks!
I am not Jewish, but aren’t fishsticks breaded? I don’t know the rules, but are there rice and other low carb pizza crusts you can make? George Stella makes a great pizza crust from soy flour and club soda. Its really good. I can email you the recipe if you like.
I am looking into your cookbook, just found you via another website. Love your recipes.
Will your son eat baked potato with cheese?
My daughter is my picky eater. she lives on PB&J.
Hi Amy! That fish stick recipe uses potato chips for the coating, so it’s cool for Passover. And yes on the potatoes, kinda! I wrote about my “baked potato skins bar,” which worked pretty well.
Hi, sorry this is late. Have you tried making chicken nuggets using matzah meal instead of bread crumbs? That’s how I do Passover chicken schnitzel, and it’s not so different. I think we also get a little healthier, since I do more vege stuff. Squashes, sweet potatoes, and we tried a few more Charoset recipes this year, so we definitely ended up eating more veges than normal.