Purim: A good story and a great feast

Purim has been summed up in this way: They tried to kill us, we won, so let's eat!

Of course, the actual story is a bit more complex than that, but the simple fact is that for Jews who love to cook and eat, this holiday is a favorite.

In a little bigger nutshell, the tale behind Purim — which is celebrated March 8 — involves a Persian king, his prime minister, Haman (the bad guy) who had it out for the Jews, and a community leader named Mordecai. Basically, Mordecai and his stepdaughter Esther, who became the queen (of the good guys), save their people.

The fun that goes along with the celebration of Purim can't be overstated. Events and traditions include the reading of the Purim story along with audience participatory noisemaking to drown out the name of the bad guy each of the 54 times it is mentioned.

Then there's the food. The Book of Esther tells celebrants they should practice charity and goodwill (which in the story helped save the Jews from peril), by helping those who are less fortunate, and by the making and giving of food gifts called mishloach manot. Then, of course, there needs to be a feast to celebrate the victory.

There's even a proscription for adults to drink wine until they can't tell the difference between the names of the bad guys and good guy. So much for dull holidays.

Jewish food expert Joan Nathan, most recently author of "Quiches, Kugels and Couscous: My Search for Jewish Cooking in France," says that the giving of food gifts makes Purim one of most enjoyable and satisfying holiday's for families to celebrate with their children.

Nathan says that gift baskets often include fruit and plenty of baked goods, which traditionally were made to use up a household's flour before the beginning of Passover (when baked goods are restricted). Many families, she says, have baking flurries that are akin to the way others whip up cookies ahead of Christmas.

Obviously, she points out, this can be an all-inclusive family activity, but because the baked goods are being made to give as gifts, it's an opportunity to teach children about thinking of others rather than just themselves.

Nathan really likes the whole process of hand making and giving gift baskets, but for those who can't there are always easier ways to go.