It might seem a little premature to start planning for next Passover when we’re still in the throes of the great matzo shortage of 2008, but if anything, this should be a lesson to plan for the future. Instead of winging it every year, buying random boxes of whatever sketchy, prepared-for-Passover foods happen to be on sale at the supermarket, here are some strategies to ensure that Passover goes more smoothly next year. These five easy steps will save major time in 2009.
- Lists, Not Listless: Document everything you bought this year. If you hosted a seder or another big meal, keep a copy of the menu. Save receipts, too–but what you really want is a list of how many boxes of farfel you needed, and how many jars of pickles you went through. If you’re hardcore, you can even use a spreadsheet.
- Waste Not, Want Not: At the end of the holiday go through everything and see what you have left. If you bought five boxes of matzah but only ate two boxes, there’s no reason to buy another five boxes next year. Add a column to your list or spreadsheet, keeping track of what you actually used. This is a nice and easy way to integrate Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin’s philosophy of “enoughness” into Passover.
- Roger, Copy That: Instead of sifting through the glut of random kosher for Passover recipes, save the ones you loved, make copies of them, and put them all in one binder together. Next year: Voila!
- Eyes On Supplies: Label all new utensils, pots, and pans that you buy clearly. If there are any that are on their last legs, toss them and add them to your shopping list for next year, so that you're not short a serving dish or spatula in the midst of next year's prep.
- Taste Test: While people are still finishing up leftovers, ask friends if you can sample some of their more successful recipes. That way, you don’t have to take their word for it that their lemon matzah kugel was great—you can taste it and decide for yourself if you want to make it.
These easy steps will make next year’s preparations simpler, faster, and more economical.
Related: Jewcy's Guide to Passover
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