MIMOUNAH: A North African Post-Passover Celebration of Freedom, Spring, and Renewal with Mufleta Flatbread Demonstration

Celebrated at sundown on the eighth or final day of the Passover holiday (the seventh day for Reform Jews and those residing in Israel), Mimounah is a unique custom observed by the North African Jews of Moroccan origin to mark the conclusion of Passover. During this celebration foods forbidden during Passover are consumed as a way of symbolizing “freedom” (sweet leavened cakes and breads) over “slavery” (unleavened matzah). Originally a shared event between Arabs and Jews, Mimounah also represents hospitality and friendship. Jews would open their homes to the greater community and Arabs would share stalks of grain as well as yeast starter dough and a loaf of baked bread as gifts for their Jewish neighbors. On this special night, a festive table is covered with a white tablecloth and adorned with foods representing spring, prosperity, abundance, fertility, and overall good luck, while dishes containing yeast, including an assortment of cookies, pastries and yeast cakes drizzled with oil or leftover Seder wine, are the culinary highlight of this festivity.

Join me for a virtual Mimounah celebration as I discuss the varying traditions of Mimounah while demonstrating how to prepare traditional mufleta flatbreads with honey and butter — a delicious way to break the Passover bread fast. Feel free to bring along your own favorite Passover “break-fast” food (whether it be cookies, cake, bread, pizza, or other) and invite your friends and family to join in on the fun. (You don’t have to be Jewish to participate!)

GENERAL INGREDIENTS:
All-purpose flour
Kosher salt
Sugar
Active dry yeast
Safflower or vegetable oil
Honey
Unsalted butter

EQUIPMENT:
Measuring cups and spoons
Large, sharp knife
Large mixing bowl and wooden spoon
Plastic wrap
10-inch non-stick skillet or frying pan
Thin spatula
Large baking pan or tray, for balls of dough to rest in oil
Large serving plate, for stack of Mufleta
Small saucepan, for melting butter and honey
Pastry brush, for brushing on melted butter mixture

Virtual lessons are live with interactive, step-by-step instruction. Tickets are per household login. Details including recipe and Zoom link will be sent to you after payment.

About Cooking Classes

Cooking along with me in real time, students will be able to easily follow my step-by-step instructions while asking questions. At the end of each lesson participants will come away with a better understanding of the basic skills needed to complete a specific recipe from start to finish, while learning how to prepare it from the comfort of their own kitchen(s).

If you have a good internet connection and computer, tablet, or smartphone, you should be good to go! We will connect live, over Zoom. Private virtual lessons will be scheduled for a date and time that is convenient for everyone.

In-person classes can be organized in the comfort of your very own home and kitchen! After we work out a menu, I will send you a detailed ingredients and equipment list to have ready for the day of the class. We will work together to find a date and time that is convenient for everyone.

After booking your class you will receive a detailed ingredients and equipment list. I can guide you where to obtain hard-to-find items or substitutes (if needed!).

Browse and click through my catalog to find the classes that are interesting to you.* From the class detail page you can book the class and also ask me any questions you might have. I will work with you to find the best date and time that is convenient for us to cook together.

*Note: Most classes listed can be done either virtually or in person, and organized as a team-building lesson if preferred.

All virtual classes include my detailed step-by-step instruction in real time as I cook. Students will be provided with a clear view on screen of all ingredients, cooking utensils, and techniques needed to prepare a successful recipe. Longer virtual "Chef Talk & Lesson Program" options include a a slide show presentation that provides insight into the dish's origin followed by the dish preparation.

Jennifer Abadi | MIMOUNAH: A North African Post-Passover Celebration of Freedom, Spring, and Renewal with Mufleta Flatbread Demonstration