Passover is a time for Jews to pause and celebrate the story of their liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. Passover dishes are usually carbohydrate-rich, containing matzo and other unleavened grains made with flour or meal. However, if you're looking to keep your senior loved one healthy, you need a heart-healthy spin on your family's old favorites.
Benefits of Heart-Healthy Passover Recipes for Seniors
A heart-healthy diet is essential for seniors, as it helps reduce the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Heart-healthy Passover recipes are great for providing nutrition to senior loved ones in an enjoyable way. You want dishes that can keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels within healthy ranges, leading to improved heart health overall.
Traditional Passover Recipes
Traditional Passover dishes are rich in carbohydrates and may be difficult for some seniors to digest due to the heavy flour. However, you can substitute healthier ingredients in classic recipes. One example is matzo ball soup, a beloved dish that consists of dumplings made from matzo meal with broth, vegetables, and herbs.
Other favorite traditional Passover recipes include roasted vegetables, eggplant caponata, and other vegetable-based dishes. These dishes are seasoned with garlic and herbs such as dill or parsley.
3 Heart-Healthy Passover Recipes
It's possible to make Passover recipes more heart-healthy. You can replace matzo with heart-healthy ingredients like quinoa or roasted vegetables helps to create a delicious meal that's still low in calories and fat. Here are a few new recipes to try:
1. Roasted Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of diced roasted vegetables (such as celery, carrot, onion, and sweet potato)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Directions: In a large stockpot over medium heat, sauté the vegetables in the olive oil until lightly browned. Then add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the vegetable broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Finally, stir in black pepper before serving hot.
2. Baked Salmon
Ingredients:
- 2 (6 – 8 ounce) salmon fillets
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a baking sheet with leftover olive oil and place the salmon onto it. Rub each fillet with the remaining olive oil and then sprinkle them with lemon juice, paprika, and garlic powder. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Serve with steamed vegetables on the side.
3. Quinoa Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Directions: In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring the quinoa and vegetable broth to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Meanwhile, in another pot over medium heat, sauté bell peppers in olive oil until lightly browned (about 5 minutes). Transfer vegetables to a large bowl and add cooked quinoa along with the walnuts. Stir all together until combined then season with salt to taste before serving warm or cold.
Senior Helpers Fairfax Provides Help With Meal Planning and Prep
Passover is a special time to reconnect with family and celebrate their freedom. It doesn't have to come at the expense of your senior loved one's health in Alexandria, Arlington, Centreville, Great Falls, Herndon, Fairfax, Falls Church, McLean, Reston, or Vienna. Senior Helpers Fairfax can help with holiday meal prep. Contact us today to learn more!