Passover Travel in 2010!

Kosherica Presents The First Leading Pesach Hotel of the World Program

2010-01-20T14:38:00.001-08:00

Kosherica is proud to announce its first-ever Leading Pesach Hotel of the World Program.

Kosherica’s inaugural 2010 Leading Pesach Hotel of the World Program gets underway this spring at the Miami Biltmore Resort and Spa. The program combines a five-star vacation experience with signature Glatt Kosher, Cholov Yisrael and Pas Yisrael gourmet meals at affordable prices.

While some Passover programs easily exceed costs of $4,000 or $5,000 per person, Kosherica’s seven-day luxury Passover packages – complete with full board and sedarim -- start at $3,480 in the United States or Israel. And Kosherica value-added cruises begin at $1,600.*

Since its founding in 1996, Kosherica has brought more passengers to international ports of call at affordable prices than all other kosher cruise companies combined.

“As the company that started it all, we’ve set the bar high. And we keep setting it higher and higher,” says Kosherica Owner and CEO Yehuda Shifman. “No other company knows better how to combine honest value with five-star luxury. Our new Leading Pesach Hotel of the World Program is the perfect example of Kosherica’s long-established tradition: combining the best in luxurious kosher travel with affordable pricing.”

A proven industry leader, Kosherica has set new standards at sea--with an extensive menu of luxury cruises to exotic ports of call--and on land, with luxurious Passover programs. And it’s no secret Kosherica’s full-service packages nourish both body and soul. This family-owned business offers everything from meaningful Shabbat services, inspiring lectures with scholars in residence, Daf Yomi classes and Minyanim to top-notch live concerts with Jewish headliners, all-women’s dance classes, movie screenings, mixers and more.

2010 Passover at the Miami Biltmore Hotel

2010-01-06T15:32:00.000-08:00

Come join BestPassoverHotels.com and Kosherica for Passover 2010 in Miami!! Some of the amenities offered at the Miami Biltmore Hotel:
* Beautiful grounds including LARGEST HOTEL POOL in the US.
* Incredible 18 Hole Donald Ross designed golf course and 10 tennis courts.
* Delightful in-room amenities in a contemporary setting including luxurious comfort bedding and a flat screen TV.
* Complimentary entrance to the lavish and luxurious Biltmore Spa and Fitness Center
* Sumptuous and Superb famous Kosherica Tea Room.
* Teen and adult activities programs and entertainment.
* Excellent, fun, and educational Chidren's day camp and infant care programs.
* Quickly becoming one of the most desirable Passover Hotels worldwide.

Passover Dinner Ideas!

2009-10-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of dinners you CAN have during Pesach!

* Good old-fashioned steak and potatoes
* Beef stew (without beans or barley if you normally use those; use potato starch for thickening)
* Pot roast (use potato starch for thickening)
* Meatballs or meatloaf (use matzah meal instead of rice or bread crumbs)
* Stuffed peppers (use matzah meal instead of rice or bread crumbs)
* Beef brisket (recipe below)
* Roasted chicken or turkey (gravy can be thickened with potato starch)
* Chicken with lemon wine sauce (use matzah meal for breading if desired)

See? The choices are plentiful.....

Kashering for Passover

2009-10-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

Kashering For Passover

One of the many preparations one must make for Pesach is kashering, a process to prepare chametz vessels for Pesach use. (Although most people only kasher their utensils in preparation for Pesach, the following directions apply to kashering utensils all year-round as well.) As with all areas of halachah, those who are unsure of how to apply the rules of kashering to their situation should consult their local Orthodox Rabbi.

General rules:

There are two steps in kashering:
1. Cleaning—removing all tangible traces of chametz, and
2. Purging—using heat to remove all absorbed chametz flavor.

Cleaning

All chametz utensils that will be used for Pesach must first be thoroughly cleaned.

This involves the removal of all food, rust, dirt, calcium deposits and anything else that protrudes; it does not include the removal of discolorations. Items which have narrow cracks, crevices, deep scratches or other areas that cannot easily be cleaned, cannot be kashered for Pesach. Therefore, the following, for example, cannot be kashered:
• Colanders
• Decanters or baby bottles (due to their narrow necks)
• Filters/screens over drains in sinks
• Graters
• Knives (or other utensils) where food or dirt can get trapped between the blade and handle
• Slotted spoons
• Sponges
• Toothbrushes

Additionally, the common custom is to cover tables, counters, refrigerator shelves and other areas where one might not have been able to clean away every trace of chametz. CONTINUED......

2 Amazing Passover Recipes

2009-10-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

Perfect Matzah Balls

2 eggs slightly beaten
2 tablespoons oil or chicken fat
2 tablespoons soup stock or water
1/2 cup matzah meal
1 teaspoon salt

Beat eggs slightly with fork. Add other ingredients, except matzah meal, and mix. Add matzah meal gradually until thick. Stir. Refrigerate for 20 minutes in covered bowl.

Wet hands and form into balls. Drop into bubbling chicken soup or into a large wide pot into which 1 quart water seasoned with 1 tablespoon salt has been added and has come to a boil. Cook for 30 minutes. Yields 4 balls per each 1/4 cup of matzah meal.

Tzimmes
2 pounds carrots
1/2 pineapple, crushed
3/4 cup water sugar syrup (optional)

Peel and slice carrots. Cook in slightly salted water for about 20 minutes or until almost done. Crush pineapple in blender. Add to carrots. Cook another 15 minutes until soft. Add sugar syrup to taste.

Variation: Substitute sweet potatoes for pineapple and add more sugar.

Passover Cooking Tips!

2009-10-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

Pesach foods generally require special Kosher-for-Passover certification. Regular kashrut certification is not sufficient for Pesach, and many foods that are perfectly kosher year-round are not kosher for Pesach. Look for a "P" (not the word "pareve"!) to the right of the hekhsher, like the one at top right, or the letters KFP (Kosher for Passover) or KP, or the words Kosher for Passover in English or Hebrew, seen at bottom right.

In areas with a significant Jewish population, grocery stores often gather Passover items together in a single aisle. Be aware that some supermarkets are very sloppy about what they shelve in their Passover aisles.
Suggested Meals and Foods

To help you reorient your thinking, here is a list of things that you CAN eat during Pesach with minimal substitutions:

Dinner
* Good old-fashioned steak and potatoesMatzah Ball Soup
* Beef stew (without beans or barley if you normally use those; use potato starch for thickening)
* Pot roast (use potato starch for thickening)
* Meatballs or meatloaf (use matzah meal instead of rice or bread crumbs)
* Stuffed peppers (use matzah meal instead of rice or bread crumbs)
* Beef brisket (recipe below)
* Roasted chicken or turkey (gravy can be thickened with potato starch)
* Chicken with lemon wine sauce (use matzah meal for breading if desired)

Breakfast
* Eggs (fried, scrambled, poached, whatever)
* Omelet
* Hash brown potatoes
* Matzah brie

Lunch
* Leftovers from the previous night's dinner
* Tuna salad or egg salad on a tomato
* Cold cuts on matzah or Atkins-style
* Salad Vegetables

Most people will eat any fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables from the grocery store, as long as the vegetable itself is kosher for Passover.*

* Cabbage
* Carrot
* Cauliflower
* Celery
* Cucumber
* Leek
* Lettuce
* Mushroom
* Onion
* Parsley
* Parsnip
* Peppers (e.g., bell peppers, chili peppers)
* Potatoes (regular and sweet)
* Radish
* Spinach
* Squash (eggplant, zucchini, spaghetti squash, etc.)
* Sweet potatoes
* Tomatoes
* Turnip
* ... and many more too numerous to list!

Fruits
* All fruits are Kosher for Passover! Fruit Passover

Substitutions

As I said above, you should generally avoid substitutions and focus on foods that are naturally kosher for Pesach. That being said, there are a few simple substitutions that can give you more options for your Pesach cooking without compromising flavor.

Potato Starch
Potato starch can be used instead of corn starch or flour to thicken sauces, stews or gravies.

Matzah Meal
Matzah meal is ground up matzah in pieces about the size of bread crumbs. It is an effective substitute for bread crumbs to make breading for things like fried chicken or eggplant parmesan. In fact, I use it that way year round. It is also an effective substitute for bread crumbs or rice in recipes where they are used to hold ground beef together, such as stuffed peppers, meatloaf or meatball recipes.

Matzah Farfel
Matzah farfel is chunks of matzah about the size of a dime. It is a useful substitute for noodles, rice or pasta as a side dish. Serve your main course over matzah farfel and it will soak up the sauces nicely. It can also be used much like croutons on a salad, or can be used as the basis for a Kosher-for-Passover stuffing.

5 Steps to Picking Your Perfect PASSOVER Hotel Program

2009-10-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

Once you've selected your passover destination, the next step is to choose your hotel. If you are particular about your hotel, you may need to pick your hotel before your destination or you might end up switching locations a couple of times. Play around with it and keep your options open. Many destinations are similar - white sandy beaches or mountain skiing - but your passover hotel will make all the difference. You will be spending a lot of time at the hotel or in your room, so do the research.

1. Choose the location of your hotel. Do you want to be by an incredible golf course? In warm weather? This will narrow down your selection quiet a bit.
2. How much can you spend? You may be surprised how affordable a Passover vacation can be when you factor that all meals, accommodations, activities and events are included in the price.
3. What type of hotel do you want to stay out? Hotels can vary from couples-only, adult-only, all-inclusive, large resorts, small boutique hotels... We recommend a resort that has wonderful grounds to roam.
4. What kind of room or suite do you imagine? You will be spending quality time in your hotel room, so keep this in mind when picking your hotel.
5. Amenities? Hotel costs usually increase as the number of amenities increases. If you're planning on spending most of your time away from your hotel ~ sightseeing, shopping, excursions... then the number of amenities shouldn't be very important. If you don't want to leave your resort, then the amenities are key! Here is a list of important resort amenities to consider:
o Tea Room availability
o Concierge
o Golf center
o Fitness center
o Great Pool
o Live entertainment
o Kids Club
o Adult activities
o Quality food
o Spa ~ Massage
o Access to main attractions in Coral Gables and Miami

Passover at the Miami Biltmore

2009-10-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

Just released- Kosherica's showcase resort for Passover 2010 is the Miami Biltmore resort! Book your spot at this gorgeous Miami/Coral Gables resort now- the property boasts the world-famous Biltmore pool, golf courses and so much more. Head over to the Passover Hotels site for much more info!

Canyon Ranch Hotels. Miami Beach Hotel Wellness Spa

2009-06-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

Just say ahhh ...

The 70,000-square-foot Spa is where body meets soul. Here you'll experience renowned Canyon Ranch-quality personal attention, body treatments, healing therapies, wellness services and more. Enjoy classic spa treatments, and try the innovative rituals and Canyon Ranch signature services that will lighten your spirit and restore balance and pleasure. Luxuriate in Aquavana™, the spectacular array of healing waters, thermal cabins and soaking tubs exclusive to Canyon Ranch, or just relax in gracious, serene gathering spaces. Choose from daily fitness classes, climb the rock wall and stay fit in the outstanding gym. Make the most of your stay by meeting with a Canyon Ranch health professional, and learn how to feel your best for life.

Boca Raton in 2010!!

2009-05-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

Welcome to a legendary resort in fabled Palm Beach County. The Boca Raton Resort & Club is clearly one of the worlds greatest resorts. Situated on 356 luscious acres, the shaded pathways that lead around the resort are steeped in history and tradition. Presidents, celebrities and captains of industry have all walked these very paths. It is here, too, that relaxation, enjoyment and peace of mind have been elevated to a true state of the art. The resorts signature building, the Cloister, is steeped in old-world elegance and charm. Built in pink stone and terracotta tile, this Mediterranean style castle has been lovingly cared for and tended for more than 60 years. Archways, loggias, tiled patios, palm trees, quiet gardens and cool fountains are all part of an ambiance and atmosphere that is the setting for our Passover program.

Located just 30 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale Airport and West Palm Beach Airport, the resort offers a multitude of deluxe guest rooms and suites in a number of different and distinct styles. The Boca Beach Club is minutes away via the hotel's shuttle boat (or by roadway) to a half mile stretch of private beach and the turquoise blue ocean!

Augustus Hotel Forte Dei Marmi, Italy

2009-04-14T11:41:00.001-07:00

The 5 star Augustus Hotel is the largest and most elegant of the hotels in beautiful Forte dei Marmi along the upscale section of the Italian Riviera. Spread out over a large tree-laden estate, this large private beach front facility contains the finest sand which gently flows into the blue Mediterranean Sea . Protected by the Apuan Alps rising behind it, this Tyrrhenian seaside resort is further enhanced by warm weather and enchanting vistas.

The facility contains a large heated swimming pool surrounded by trees, flowers and tropical palms along with a fitness room, clay tennis courts, and a host of nearby sporting opportunities ranging from golf to boating, fishing and horseback riding. The hundreds of chic shoppes and very Italian boutiques in Forte dei Marmi are a short 15 minute walk (or relaxing bicycle ride) from the hotel. With Pisa and the medieval walled city of Lucca but a half hour away and the cultural and historical center of Florence only 1 hour away, the sightseeing and shopping possibilities are endless in this breathtaking region of Tuscany . (Venice and Milan are each a 2½ hour drive.)

Miami Biltmore Golf Resort & Spa!

2009-03-26T15:50:00.000-07:00

Check out www.BestPassoverHotels.com for more info on the Biltmore!
* Beautiful grounds including the LARGEST HOTEL POOL in the US.
* Incredible 18 Hole Donald Ross designed golf course and 10 tennis courts.
* Delightful in-room amenities in a contemporary setting including luxurious comfort bedding and a flat screen TV.
* Leading Hotels of the WorldComplimentary entrance to the lavish and luxurious Biltmore Spa and Fitness Center
* Sumptuous and Superb famous Kosherica Tea Room.
* Teen and adult activities programs and entertainment.
* Excellent, fun, and educational Chidren's day camp and infant care programs.

Scholar in Residence: Rabbi Marc Schneier

Canyon Ranch Miami Beach!

2009-03-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

The Canyon Ranch Resort in Miami Beach just completed construction!!
* Recently completed 500Million Dollar Resort and Spa.
* Known for being the best spa in the US.
* Beautiful Oceanfront grounds including various stunning Pools.
* Specialized ustom Tea Room Delivery to your room daily.
* Superior Glatt Kosher Gourmet Cuisine to delight any pallat.
* Sumptuous and Superb famous Kosherica Tea Room.
* Teen and adult activities programs and entertainment.
* Excellent, fun, and educational Chidrens's day camp and infant care programs.
* Delightful in-room amenities in a contemporary setting including luxurious comfort bedding.
* Complimentary entrance to the best spa in the US.
* Free Spa Credits

Stunning scenery, lavish accommodations, infinite pleasures, incredible dining – and that's just at first glance.

The Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach Completes Major Renovation

2009-03-05T15:22:00.000-08:00

The Deauville Beach Resort has reopened after a major facelift, just in time for Passover 2009!

* Recently completed Multi Million Dollar Renovation of rooms and Public areas.
* Beautiful Oceanfront grounds including Oversized Pool.
* Superior Glatt Kosher Gourmet Cuisine.
* Sumptuous and Superb famous Kosherica Tea Room.
* Teen and adult activities programs and entertainment.
* Excellent, fun, and educational Chidrens's day camp and infant care programs.
* Delightful in-room amenities in a contemporary setting including luxurious comfort bedding.
* Complimentary entrance to the 2500 square foot Fitness Center.

Combined with all of Kosherica touches, great food, and programming, you will enjoy an unforgettable beachfront Pesach of your dreams.

Kosherica Announces “Kosher Stimulus Package”: 2009 Program of Five-Star Luxury Kosher Travel at Newly Affordable Prices

2009-02-17T17:45:00.000-08:00

“Kosher Stimulus” Passover Options start at $2150, and include:

The Miami Biltmore Golf Resort and Spa. A place of elegance, beauty, and calm, the Biltmore is a luxury golf and spa resort located in the elegant Coral Gables area of Miami. The resort features grand hotel rooms and suites, a world-class spa and fitness center, an 18-hole Donald Ross-designed golf course, 10 tennis courts and the world-famous Biltmore pool with private cabana suites. Passover Scholar in Residence: Rabbi Marc Schneier. Deauville Beach Resort, Miami Beach. This is where legends were made. The Deauville was the center of Miami Beach 's glamorous 60s. The Hotel recently completed a Multi Million Dollar Renovation of rooms and public areas. The Deauville has beautiful oceanfront grounds including an oversized pool. Passover Scholar in Residence: Rabbi Lamm.

Canyon Ranch, Miami Beach. Stunning scenery, lavish accommodations, infinite pleasures, incredible dining – and that's just at first glance. The Canyon Ranch , known for being the best spa in the US , has just completed a half a Billion dollar make-over. Staying at the Canyon Ranch and overlooking the oceanfront grounds, is the best way to spend Passover!

Rio Grande Gran Melia, Puerto Rico. Join us at the 5 star, AAA 4 diamond-rated Gran Melia Puerto Rico. Catering is by Prestige Caterers. All rooms are situated in elegant individual two-story bungalows throughout the property amidst its spectacular gardens and tropical surroundings or facing the ocean.

All Kosherica Passover Programs include, our highly acclaimed Passover cuisine, daily Orthodox religious services and lectures, officiated by our Rabbi scholar-in-residence, two magnificent seders, professional entertainment and a full children's program. “Kosher Stimulus” Cruises start at $999.

For single travelers interested in a Kosher cruise, check out JSingles cruise today!