The 15th day of the Hebrew month Nisan marks the beginning of Passover, the Jewish celebration of the Israelites gaining freedom from their Egyptian enslavers. This year, the 15th of Nisan falls on March 30 of the Christian calendar, and Passover 2018 will begin, like most Jewish holidays, at sundown this Friday night and end at sundown on April 7.

With the help of Adonai and the prophet Moses, the Hebrews escaped the cruel Pharaoh. In their departure, the liberated slaves had no time to let their bread rise, and thus they ate unleavened bread, now known as matzah (pictured above). In an attempt to understand the hardships that their ancestors faced, the Jewish people are commanded to abstain from leavened bread and other grain products throughout the eight-day celebration of Passover.

The list below shows the Sage food items, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, that are Passover-friendly. While different sects of Jewish people have varying limitations on their Passover diets, this meal guide was made using the most strict guidelines. The dishes are free of the usual grain products—wheat, barley, oats, spelt and rye—as well as corn, rice, legumes and prohibited seeds, such as mustard, sesame and sunflower seeds.

In choosing condiments and beverages that are Kosher for Passover, be sure to avoid ketchup, mustard, honey mustard dressing and soy milk.

MARCH 31

BREAKFAST:

• Cheesy Eggs
• Steamed Broccoli
• Garden Salad
• Fresh-Cut Fruit
• House-Roasted Turkey Breast
• Cheese
• Assorted Yogurt
• All Beverages, except soy milk

DINNER

• Blackened Chicken Breast
• BBQ Beef Brisket (check BBQ sauce ingredients)
• All Beverages, except soy milk

APRIL 1

BREAKFAST

• Home Fries
• California Grilled Vegetables
• Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Curried Cranberry Chicken Salad
• Fresh-Cut Fruit
• House-Roasted Turkey Breast
• Black Forest Ham
• Cheese
• Omelet (no beans, no sausage)
• Low-Fat Vanilla Yogurt
• All Beverages, except soy milk
• No sunflower seed butter, no gluten-free bread

DINNER

• Lemon Broccoli
• Honey Roasted Vegetables
• Seasoned Cauliflower
• Grilled Chicken Breast
• French Fries

APRIL 2

BREAKFAST

• Mango Melon Green Smoothie
• Scrambled Eggs
• Scrambled Eggs with Cheese
• Breakfast potatoes

LUNCH

• Grilled Salmon
• Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries
• Steamed Array of Vegetables
• Caprese Salad
• Garden Salad with Grilled Chicken
• Cantaloupe
• Grapes
• Provolone Cheese
• Tuna Salad
• Grilled Chicken Breast
• Baked Potato Bar (no bacon)
• Beef Chili

DINNER

• Baked Cajun Chicken Breast
• Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
• Steamed Broccoli
• Garden Salad
• Spinach Salad with Pears and Currants

APRIL 3

BREAKFAST

• Peach Apple Smoothie
• Scrambled Eggs
• Scrambled Eggs with Cheese
• Turkey Sausage
• Home Fries

LUNCH

• Steamed Carrots
• Strawberries, Pineapple
• Muenster Cheese
• Scrambled Eggs
• Breakfast Potatoes
• Creamy Tomato Soup

DINNER

• Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
• Cajun Chicken
• Seasoned Baked Potatoes
• Garden Salad
• Jicama Salad

APRIL 4

BREAKFAST

• Sunburst Smoothie
• Scrambled Eggs
• Vegetable Scramble
• Breakfast Potatoes

LUNCH

• Greek Lemon Chicken
• Steamed Carrots
• Baked Rosemary Sweet and Yukon Potato Wedges
• Coleslaw
• Fresh Fruit Salad
• Grapefruit
• Pimento Cheese
• Grilled Chicken Breast
• Gouda Cheese
• Salsa
• Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie

DINNER

• Grilled Sirloin Strip Steak
• Grilled Chicken Breast
• Roasted Rosemary Potatoes
• Steamed Broccoli
• Seasoned Baked Potatoes
• Garden Salad
• Tater Tots

APRIL 5

BREAKFAST

• Berry Beet Smoothie
• Scrambled Eggs
• Home Fries

LUNCH

• Sauteed Mushrooms and Carrots
• Dill Potato Salad
• Honeydew
• Plums
• Cajun Style Tuna Salad
• House-Roasted Beef
• Havarti Cheese

DINNER

• Apricot BBQ Chicken
• Sauteed Summer Squash Medley
• Roasted Beets and Carrots
• Seasoned Baked Potatoes
• Garden Salad
• Skillet Potatoes
• Jalapeno Tomato Bisque

APRIL 6

BREAKFAST

• Pineapple Lime Green Smoothie
• Scrambled Eggs
• Scrambled Eggs with Potatoes, Onions, and Peppers
• Breakfast Potatoes

LUNCH

• Sauteed Spinach
• Steamed Broccoli
• Caprese and Olive Salad
• Fresh-Cut Fruit
• Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Assorted Cheese
• Grilled Chicken Breast
• Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

DINNER

• Old Bay Fries
• Steamed California Blend Vegetables
• Seasoned Baked Potatoes
• Garden Salad
• Chop Salad
• Roasted Carrot and Ginger Soup

APRIL 7

BREAKFAST

• Scrambled Eggs
• Fried Hash Brown Patties
• Steamed Broccoli
• Fruit and Yogurt Station
• Assorted Fresh Fruit
• House-Roasted Turkey Breast
• Cheese

DINNER

• Grilled Sirloin Steak
• Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast
• Grilled Vegetables
• French Fries

Story by Ali Hurst, Copy Editor

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons