6 Purim Recipes for Your Se’udah

Delish!The Jewish holiday Purim celebrates Queen Esther's denunciation of the evil Haman, thereby saving the Jews of Persia from destruction. There are many food traditions associated with this particularly festive spring feast known as Se'udah Purim. Because Esther ate only grains, seeds and legumes to keep kosher while living with King Ahasuerus, legumes and poppy seeds are traditional foods. Triangle-shaped foods are popular, as they recall either the hat or ear of Haman. And drink is also an important part of the holiday; (age-appropriate) celebrants are urged to, well, get a little tipsy.

However your family chooses to celebrate their Se'udah, we've got an array of traditional and family-friendly recipes for your feast. Chag Semeach Purim (Happy Purim)!

Pumpkin Challah
Challah is a popular food for many Jewish holidays. During Purim, the Challah is formed into a long, elaborate braid to symbolize the rope used to hang Haman.

Related: What you should know about Purim and girl power

Ingredients:

1 cup warm water
1 package yeast
3/4 cup eggs and egg yolks (I used 7 yolks and 2 whole eggs, plus 1 egg yolk for the egg wash
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
7-8 cups flour (bread flour, if you can find it), plus more for rolling.

Directions:

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine water and yeast. Allow to sit for 10 minutes, or until bubbles start coming to the surface. With the mixer on low, add in eggs, sugar, syrup, butter, salt, spices, and pumpkin. Slowly add in 2 cups of flour.

Switch to the dough hook, and slowly add most of the remaining flour until a nice, slightly sticky dough is formed. Add the rest of the flour, if needed. Cover bowl with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour. Punch down and let rest for ten minutes.

Divide the dough into 6 equal parts and braid into 1 large loaf with the 6 strand method (see instructions here), or make 2 smaller loaves with the normal 3 strand method. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover and let sit in a warm place for one hour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together extra egg yolk and a teaspoon of water. Brush over the top of the loaf. Place in the oven and toss a handful of ice cubes on the bottom of the oven (optional). Close oven door and bake for 1 hour.

Related: How to teach your kids about Purim

Delish!
Poppy Seed Dressing
Tradition has it that while Queen Esther was living in the King's palace she ate only seeds and legumes to keep kosher, and so poppy seeds are a popular Purim food. To add poppy seeds to your feast, try this healthy apple endive salad with poppy seed dressing.
Get the recipe

Delish!
Lentil Pilaf
In keeping with Queen Esther's diet while living with the king, lentils are often served on Purim. This recipe pairs a lentil pilaf with marinated chicken and grape skewers.
Get the recipe

Related: 10 fish recipes perfect for Lent

Delish!
Sweet Potato Mash
Though sweet potatoes don't have any symbolic significance, they're an ideal seasonal side that will add some nutrients to your Purim dinner.
Get the recipe

Delish!
Sweet Chili Glazed Salmon
A symbol of fertility, merriment, and the month of Pisces, the fish is a traditional Purim symbol. Add some fish to your Se'udah with this easy salmon recipe.
Get the recipe


Turkey Noodle Soup
Turkey Noodle Soup
Turkey is a popular Purim food because of its association with the word hodu, which in Hebrew means both India and turkey, and because King Ahasuerus was said to have ruled from India to Ethiopia.
Get the recipe

- By Elizabeth Stark and Bryan Campbell

For 3 more recipes for your Se'udah, visit Babble

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