There's nothing as thrilling and rewarding as exchanging and giving Purim gift baskets, shlach manot. Every year I get excited thinking about this beautiful act of creating bonds between neighbors, friends, and family. However, I've always thought to myself, "If I love these people or at least care enough about them to give them a food basket, why would I give them "food" that rots their teeth, clogs their arteries, puts on unwanted weight and makes everyone overly hyper and depressed?"

This year I've decided to really show that I care by preparing easy, healthy delicious shlach manot.

Whole wheat zatar pita chips

Whole wheat pitas or tortillas Olive oil Zatar

Open the pitas in half and cut each half into quarters. If using tortillas, simply cut into quarters. Throw all the quarters into a bowl and lightly drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with zatar. Toss all the "chips" to coat.

Place on a baking sheet and toast until crispy.

Buy some small disposable containers and fill them with guacamole, salsa, and bean salad...

Guacamole

4 avocados
At least 2 lemons Salt to taste 1 chopped tomato
5 sprigs of chopped cilantro or 1/ 2 teaspoon of dried cilantro

Mash the avocados and reserve the2 pits. Squeeze the juice from the lemons over the avocados. Mix in the tomato and cilantro, add salt to taste. IF the lemons are not juicy, add another lemon.

Divide between two containers and put a pit in each container to preserve the green color of the guacamole.

Salsa Mexicana

5 large round tomatoes
4 Serrano chilies, cut in half
½ teaspoon sea salt
5 sprigs of chopped cilantro or 1/ 2 teaspoon of dried cilantro

Place the tomatoes in a pot with enough water to barely cover them and add the chilies. Cover and boil until the tomatoes are tender, about 7-10 minutes. Let cool. Blend the tomatoes and chilies in a blender. Add salt and cilantro.

Garbanzo Bean Salad

1 can garbanzo beans
1 Tsp olive oil
1 Tsp basmati vinegar
½ lemon juiced
Salt and pepper to taste
½ tsp dried oregano
½ Dijon mustard
¼ red onion thinly sliced and then chopped
1 chopped tomato

Mix all ingredients together, let marinade at least 3 hours.

Additional Ideas....

Dried Fruits
Nuts
Rice cakes
Baby carrots

Purim Sameach!