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12 Upgrades to Traditional Passover Recipes That'll Have You Asking for Seconds

You may have suffered through your bubbe's grain-free kugel for your entire life, and you still may want a bite for nostalgia purposes, of course. But there's a brave new world out there of Passover recipes that honor tradition while still tasting damn delicious. Here are 12 updates to the typical fare to get you started.

Image: Oh She Glows

Matzo Brie

For my entire childhood, I woke up to the smell of fried matzo on all eight mornings of Passover. Molly Yeh’s recipe brings new flavors, like shallots and hot sauc,e to an old classic.

Image: My Name is Yeh

Potato Kugel

Potato kugel can be bland and mealy, but The Shiksa In The Kitchen’s version uses paprika and cayenne pepper for great flavor.

Image: The Shiksa In The Kitchen

Vegetable Tian

This beautiful vegetable arrangement by Comfort of Cooking is perfect for any night of Passover, and for those kosher folk who don’t want to mix milk with meat, the cheese is totally optional.

Image: Comfort of Cooking

Brisket

Rarely has there been a Passover dinner without brisket. You’ll be eating the leftovers for days, so go with this flavorful, tender recipe with from Big Girls Small Kitchen.

Image: Big Girls Small Kitchen

Leg of Lamb

While the shankbone sits on your seder plate, enjoy The Healthy Foodie’s boneless lamb recipe enhanced by orange zest and rosemary.

Image: The Healthy Foodie

Pan Fried Gefilte Fish

Give gefilte fish a new spin with this recipe by The Cupcake Project. It’s a major upgrade from the chilled, jellied fish you’ve come to know and hate.

Image: J. Pollack Photography

Almond Coconut Rice-less Rice

Forget bland Passover sides — this recipe by The Healthy Foodie uses nuts and veggies for a healthy and flavorful dish.

Image: The Healthy Foodie

Roasted Carrot and Beet Salad

Forget mushy tzimmes — this crisp salad recipe by Naturally Ella is healthy and delicious.

Image: Naturally Ella

Lemon Pepper Asparagus

Keep your greens green (not overcooked) with this fresh spring recipe from Fo Reals Life.

Image: Fo Reals Life

Baba Ghanoush

Chopped liver is a popular spread on matzo, but baba ghanoush is totally vegetarian and much healthier (not to mention tastier, to many). Closet Cooking uses tahini in her recipe, but if you’re avoiding sesame for Passover, just skip that ingredient.

Image: Closet Cooking

Chocolate Macaroons

If you’ve ever had the Passover macaroons that come out of a can, you’ll appreciate this upgrade. Oh She Glows has a bake-free recipe that’s fresh and easy!

Image: Oh She Glows

Chocolate Avocado Mousse with Caramelized Bananas

Matzo flour desserts can be dry, but desserts that don’t usually need flour are a safe bet for the holiday! Half Baked Harvest’s recipe makes a Passover chocolate dessert almost totally out of fruit.

Image: Half Baked Harvest

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