From my Table

One year of shalach manos stands out most in my mind, and it’s the year I gave a sampler box of a dozen different types of cookies. It wasn’t crazier than the year I did homemade sushi (never again!), but it was the year that I felt the need to convince myself (my husband??) that it was really no different from making batch after batch of chocolate chip cookies. Think of it as 12 different types of chocolate chip cookies, that’s all!

Looking back at it from the other side, I see how time sucks of that nature come with a cost, even if it’s an activity I genuinely enjoy. I also feel that we’re collectively outgrowing this sport, and people really notice less and less over time. I beg you to keep this in mind when you plan your shalach manos this year!

Disclaimer time: I really didn’t want to push anyone in the direction of starting to think about Purim just yet, but I did want Miriam (Pascal) Cohen to tap into her talent of developing recipes for super-makeable and truly delicious baked goods, which by the way freeze beautifully so you can bake them ahead for your shalach manos. Think of this as a baked goods set that you definitely need to save no matter how you use it, and if you do use it for your shalach manos, well, that makes a lot of sense. As long as you don’t try to add another eight varieties!

CHANIE NAYMAN
Food Editor, Family Table
Editor in Chief, Kosher.com