Why This Recipe:

For Purim, people create Purim baskets, referred to as shalach manot (sending portions). We give these baskets of food to our friends and relatives to continue the tradition begun by Queen Esther and Mordechai and to share the joy of Purim. These baskets customarily have at least two different foods or drinks, that do not have to be cooked or prepared by the person receiving the basket. One item is made from flour and the other usually contains fruit or nuts, so that two Brachot are made-- a Brachot for flour and a Brachot for fruit and nuts.

Note: Mishloach Manot is one of the 4 mitzvot of Purim. Shalach is a shortened form of the word Mishloach.

Foods made from flour:

• Purim Turnovers (with your choice of filling.)
• Hamentashen
• Challah Rolls
• Cookies

Foods made with fruit or nuts:

• Dried Fruit-- especially figs or dates which are suggestive of Persia.
• Colorful Dried Apples.
• Fresh Fruit (oranges, apples, etc.)
• Stuffed Figs or Prunes
• Fruit Juice- Try making your own fresh squeezed juices.
• Fruit Candy
• Fruit Jelly
• Nuts (almonds, peanuts, etc.)
• Colorful Applesauce
• Homemade Peanutbutter

Made with flour and fruit or nuts:

• Apple Chocolate Muffins
• Peanutbutter Cookies
• Gooey fruity nutty squares
• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
• Banana bites
• Hamentashen or Purim Turnovers with fruit filling.
• Peanutty Balls