Matzo ball soup, brisket and a rich flourless chocolate cake celebrate the holiday in style

Menu compiled by Tony Rosenfeld

All holidays celebrate tradition, though Passover, perhaps more than any other in the Jewish calendar, really sticks to the script when it comes to the menu. This is partly because leavened breads and grains are excluded from the festivities, so the options are slightly limited. But it’s also because the staples at a seder—haroset, matzo ball soup, and brisket—are so good that they can’t be skipped, not even for one year.

All seders begin with haroset, a spiced fruit and nut spread that’s perfect for topping matzo. Then it’s on to the meal—here, it starts with a flavorful matzo ball soup. For the main course, brisket is always my preferred centerpiece, and an elegant potato gratin and braised baby artichokes to round out the meal. Finally, there’s a rich flourless and butter-free walnut-tweed torte to finish the meal on a sweet note.

Looking for more Passover ideas?See our editors’Top Passover Recipe Picks, or browseAll Passover Recipes.