Much of the Seder is about the bitterness and sorrow of life in Egypt under Pharoh. While charoset looks like the mortar that the Israelites used to build Egyptian cities, it tastes sweet to celebrate being freed from Egypt.
Making charoset is a great activity for children, since it is simple and uncooked. Even small children can help with mashing the apples. Older children can practice measuring and following directions.
When cooking with kids, it is often easier to use gadgets designed for convenience. Peeling and coring apples is made easy with a counter-mounted rotary machine. Chopping apples is easy with a manual cutter. Chopping nuts is easy with a manual chopper, especially since blades are enclosed in the unit, keeping little fingers safe.
Traditional Apple Charoset
Serves
6
Equipment
medium bowl
wooden spoon
mortar and pestle (optional)
Ingredients
6 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1/3 cup grape juice
1. Put all ingredients in bowl and mix, crushing apples slightly with spoon. If using mortar and pestle, transfer mixture into mortar bowl. Use pestle to crush apples.
Some families like their charoset with chunks of apples and some like theirs smooth. Which way does your family like it?