Purim – Mishloach Manot Ideas

I don't go all out with mishloach manot (Purim food gifts). Maybe it's because I packed thousands of them during 12 years of running a kosher gift business. I just remember the shipping boxes stacked up along walls and under the tables. By time I got to the synagogue to hear the Megillah reading, I was barely awake.

In our neighborhood, people have pared way back on Purim gifts. Cards to one's favorite charity are more common, especially when extra calories are not always appreciated (at least by us older folks!)

But one must still satisfy the mitzvah of giving edible Purim gifts to at least two people. And children do enjoy the thrill of getting goodie packages.

This year I found decorative but inexpensive 5-inch (13 cm) square metal containers at a local cosmetics/jewelry shop. Earlier in the month I made half a batch of lemon poppy seed cake, baked it in cupcake tins and froze them. I'll stuff dates with marzipan – both in the refrigerator and needing to be gone before Pesach. We'll buy a bag of juicy tangerines to include in our gifts.

As a finishing touch, I'll add a few chocolate-dipped pretzel sticks that my granddaughter Karen just made with me. It's an easy, fun (and messy!) project that your children or grandchildren will enjoy doing with you.

Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Sticks

Pretzel sticks – I found whole-wheat pretzels made with liquid vegetable oil and covered with sesame seeds.

Chocolate – We used a bar of parve bittersweet chocolate. You can use chocolate chips too.

Canola oil

Candy sprinkles – Optional; Karen decided not to dip all of the sticks in sprinkles.

Washcloth for wiping chocolate from hands, face and clothing.

Break up the chocolate in a pyrex measuring cup (this just makes it easier for children to hold the container). Add a teaspoon or so of canola oil. Microwave it on low power, stirring occasionally, until it's melted.

Lay out wax, parchment or sandwich paper on cookie sheets (for the finished sticks). Lay another piece on the counter or table and pour some of the sprinkles on it.

Dip half of each pretzel stick into the chocolate (a spoon helps spread and catch the drips). Roll the chocolate in the sprinkles and place on the paper-lined cookie sheet. Either set the finished sticks aside to harden, or refrigerate them for a short time. Store them in an air-tight container at room temperature.

CHAG PURIM SAMEACH!

HAPPY PURIM!