Name: Charoset
Yield: 6 to 8
Ingredients: 1 cup date puree (see link and tips below); 1/4 cup ruby port wine; 2 medium granny smith apples, peeled, cored, 1/4 inch dice; 1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted and salted cashews; 1 Tbsp nigella seeds; 1 Tbsp sesame seeds; 1 Tbsp sherry vinegar; 1 tsp ground sumac; 1 tsp Aleppo chili flakes; 1/2 tsp fine sea salt

To me, charoset is the ultimate Jewish chutney. It combines Eastern and Western cultures with the use of Mediterranean dates, which are strangely popular in Eastern European cuisine. Together with chazeret, these two are probably my highlight of any Passover dinner. My charoset adds texture with sesame and nigella seed, and acidity with sumac and sherry vinegar, which are also more preservative than traditional lemon juice. It could easily be served throughout the year and would be excellent as a cake filling or with cold meats or roasts. And please stay away from cheap sweet wine, a quality sweet port or sherry, something you'd enjoy drinking, is what your charoset deserves.