Are Your Hamantaschen: ready to go?It's Purim, party people, and that means you have six mitzvoth to observe in the next couple of days. What, you thought it was just a costume party? The Purim mitzvoth are:

1. Hearing the Megillah. We’re supposed to hear the Megillah twice: Once tonight, and once tomorrow morning.
2. Giving mishloach manot to your friends and family.
   
3. Giving money to the poor.
   
4. Having a festive Purim meal.
   
5. Adding the appropriate prayer, Al Hanisim, during the Amidah
   
6. Being extra happy on Shushan Purim, which this year falls on Shabbat.

Word to the wise: Purim is a great time to try out a new synagogue—you get to see how much liquor they’ve got around and how generous they are with it, and sample their hamantaschen. A lot of synagogues offer Purim Carnivals, such as Ikar in Los Angeles. They're hosting a "Justice" Purim Carnival—with games like Guitar Hero and Wii Sports—from which all proceeds will go to charity. To find a cool shul near you, try shulshopper.

We’ve already covered giving mishloach manot here, but remember that the mitzvah is to distribute them on the day of Purim, which is Friday. Ideally, one should send them by messenger, but if your chauffeur has the day off, it’s cool to deliver them yourself. You should put together and send at least two gift baskets.
You Gotta Give: to everyone who asks on Purim
Giving money and gifts to the poor is an integral part of celebrating Purim. On Friday one should try to give money, food or clothing to at least two needy people. The minimum amount you should give is only about 20 cents per person, but if you can afford to give more, then do so. Technically one is obligated to give money to every needy person who asks on Purim, and it’s preferable to give more money to the poor than to spend tons on your mishloach manot or on making a lavish Purim meal.

Having a festive meal on the day of Purim is one of the less commonly observed mitzvoth, but it need not be. Since Purim falls on Good Friday this year, you might have the day off, which means plenty of time to put together a nice Purim brunch. Check out Not Derby Pie for some great ideas, or our own Jewcy suggestions. And we’re supposed to drink on Purim, so how about mimosas? Another suggestion: Brew up a pitcher of Sukkot Sangria, and tell your friends it's Purim Punch.

Being especially happy and joyous on Shabbat, and adding Al Hanisim during the Amidah are pretty easy to figure out without much explanation.

Now, start cleaning for Pesach…

Related: Must Have: Readymade Purim Baskets, How To: Make Your Own Purim Baskets

This cake tastes best after a morning spent in bed working on extracurricular activities, but it’s generally delicious, too, and when you can get it to come out of the bundt pan in one piece it looks pretty, too.

My friend Jonathan has made this cake for my family a few times, and even though I never like pears I adore this cake. Moist and with a wonderful texture, it’s an awesome combination that is sure to become a staple at my Shabbat dinners.

Once, in college, I was in an episode of Al Roker on the Road in which we made this beet salad. I thought I hated beets, but felt obligated to try the salad because of the cameras, and lo and behold, I discovered an abiding love for beets. Who knew? Anyway, this is an incredibly easy salad that’s super tasty and incredibly healthy. Also, it looks really pretty in the bowl.

This was a new-to-me recipe that came out incredibly well and really wowed the guests. Big hit!

Is there anything better than a good brunch? I’ve always been obsessed with breakfast food, but inviting anyone over for breakfast means asking them to get up early, which is kind of mean. Brunch, though, can be as late as one in the afternoon, and can include both more substantial dishes in addition to breakfasty favorites. Yesterday I had over seven friends for a wonderful and relaxing brunch. I’m including my menu below. The best part about this is that I was able to do most of the work the night before so that I could just wake up Sunday morning and everything was already mostly done.
This is Not Exactly What I Look Like At Brunch: but it's close
Menu:
Corn Fritters with Mediterranean Tomato Dipping Sauce
Brie platter
Crème Brulee French Toast
Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Frittata
Beet, Walnut and Goat Cheese Salad
Pear and Pistachio cake
Morning After Coffee Cake