Food plays such an intensely important role in our lives, and it isn’t just the fuel required to sustain us. Taste is an enjoyable phenomenon that can bring happiness to any moment. Unique ways of preparing food are a cultural foundation for all people. When friends and family come together they usually gather around food in some way, whether it’s a dinner party or chicken wings during a football game.
When we celebrate an event there is food. When a person mourns they are immediately provided with food from their loved ones. It is the most instinctive way we care for those we cherish, and preparing a meal for a guest is a simple way to honor them. Taking the time to choose dishes you know to be someone’s favorite, or putting in the effort to creatively and deliciously meet the dietary needs and/or restrictions of others can be an incredibly touching gesture.
I love everything about hosting. I love having friends that know our door is always open to their company. I love providing a feeling that my home is their home. I love feeding people. I love the sound of children giggling together in the playroom while the parents enjoy some adult time. I love providing a space to worship G-d through conversation and fellowship. My closest friends know that in my mind someone’s home can be their own personal ministry, and most people who spend significant amounts of time in my house know that I enjoy welcoming company, and I especially love feeding people. I don’t let you walk out of my door hungry if I can help it.
This is perhaps one of the reasons why Passover and Sukkot are my two favorite holidays. Both are home-based festivals that encourage an open door (or tent flap in the case of Sukkot) for guests. They are an exercise in extreme hospitality, and I feel completely in my element when I prepare for these awesome celebrations.
Naturally, the detail I tend to focus most on when it comes to inviting people into my house is food. What would they like? Are there any allergies or other dietary restrictions? What foods pair well with one another? Is this enough or should I throw in another dish? With Passover specifically, it can be even trickier. Some guests may have varying levels of observance regarding their regular religious food restrictions. On top of that, we have holiday-specific dietary needs (no leavened foods), and even within those restrictions, there are various levels of observances to consider. So every year I stick with relatively the same menu that I’ve perfected over time.
Matzo ball soup. Salad. Roasted vegetables. Curried fruit. A potato dish. Matzo kugel. Salmon. And a delicious brisket.
This year I finally figured out that a chocolate coconut mousse was the perfect dessert to go along with our Seder meal. It requires only a couple of ingredients, is very easy to whip up, and most importantly it is light, fluffy, and delicious. It will definitely appear on future Seder menus.
So, if you’re looking for a dessert that will feed people with any number of dietary restrictions, this mousse is perfect.
Chocolate Coconut Mousse
Ingredients
- 2 13.5 oz cans coconut milk
- 2 tbsp powderd sugar
- 5 tbsp cocoa powder
Instructions
- Scoop the cream at the top of the coconut milk into a bowl, and discard the rest of the liquid. Add sugar and beat together using an electric mixer until creamy and thick.
- Fold in the coco and continue beating. The mixture will begin to have a more fluffy texture.
- Place in the refrigerator to chill for an hour or two.