With Passover right around the corner, and those sneaky dietary restrictions that we all love to hate, you’re probably asking yourself how you’re going to make it through. Not to fear! There are plenty of easy, at-home recipes you can follow to whip up a delicious Passover meal to help you forget the taste of all that matzah.
Matzah Brei- A not so traditional take on French toast, matzah brei will liven up your Passover breakfasts and impress your guests without a doubt. Matzah brei can be made either sweet or savory— I personally prefer my brei on the sweet side, but to each her own, right?
To serve four, you’ll need:
· 6 sheets of square matzah
· 6 eggs
· 2 tablespoons of milk
· Pinch of kosher salt
· 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
· Pinch of nutmeg
· 1 teaspoon lemon zest
In a bowl, break up the matzah. Cover the smashed matzah with water, and let soak for five minutes. While your matzah is soaking, mix up the eggs and milk. Then, add the salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon zest. My mom likes to add orange juice as well, for an additional kick of citrusy sweetness. Squeeze excess water out of the matzah and add it to the egg mixture. Combine. In a non-stick skillet, pour in the mixture so it is evenly distributed. In our house, we make the matzah brei like scrambled eggs— breaking up the mixture as it cooks. Serve with maple syrup, jam, or powdered sugar.
Matzah Pizza– Probably my favorite Passover lunchtime recipe, matzah pizza takes ordinary pizza to a new level with only a few minor Passover-friendly adjustments. Begin by pre-heating your oven to 350°, and in the meantime gather up the following ingredients.
· 1 sheet of square matzah
· Marinara sauce
· Shredded cheese- I always go with classic mozzarella, but feel free to change it up and use whichever kind you prefer!
· Black olives
· Mushrooms
· Pieces of onion
Spread marinara sauce on your sheet of matzah; pile on the cheese, olives, and mushrooms; throw it in the oven, and you’re ready to go! Let the pizza bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted to your satisfaction. Add any vegetables you’d like to change it up.
Matzah-Crusted Chicken Cutlets- A delicious Passover alternative to a dinner classic. To serve four, you’ll need:
· 2 large eggs
· 3 cups of crushed matzah
· 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, plus more to taste
· ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
· Vegetable oil for frying
· 4 chicken cutlets
· Lemon wedges for an extra kick
Begin by placing the crushed matzah into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse the machine 8 or 10 times to achieve proper consistency. The crushed matzah mixture should resemble sand after it’s gone through the processor. Next, beat the eggs in a shallow dish. Mix the matzah, salt and pepper in another small dish. Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet to 375°. Make sure your chicken cutlets are at room temperature, which will ensure that the matzah sticks. Dip the chicken into egg, then into the matzah mixture. Make sure the matzah sticks to both sides. Immediately after you’ve coated the chicken, place it to the hot oil. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Transfer the chicken cutlets onto a paper towel-lined tray to dry. Spritz the cutlets with lemon wedges while still hot. Serve immediately.
And there you have it, three delicious and easy Passover recipes that you can put together in no time. Enjoy!