Matzah Food

MATZAH

Steps:

• Move an oven rack near the top of oven and preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). Preheat a heavy baking sheet in the oven.
• Dust a clean work surface and a rolling pin with 1 teaspoon flour, or as needed. Place 1 cup of flour into a mixing bowl; set a timer for about 16 minutes (18 minutes maximum). Start the timer; pour the water, about 1 tablespoon at a time, into the flour. Stir the water and flour together with a fork until the dough forms a rough ball, remove the dough to the prepared work surface, knead rapidly and firmly until smooth, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Divide the dough into four equal pieces; cut each piece in half again to get 8 pieces total. Swiftly roll each piece into a ball. Roll each piece of dough out into a 5-inch pancake, dusting the top and rolling pin with flour as needed. Gradually roll the pancakes out to a size of about 8 inches, increasing the size of each by about 1 inch, then letting the dough rest for a few seconds before rolling again to the finished size. Roll from the center out. The bread rounds should be very thin. Using a fork, quickly pierce each bread about 25 times, all over, to prevent rising. The holes should go completely through the bread. Flip the bread over, and pierce each piece another 25 times with the fork.
• With at least 5 minutes left on the timer, remove the hot baking sheet from the preheated oven, and place the rounds onto the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet onto the rack near the top of the oven, and bake for 2 minutes; turn the breads over and bake an additional 2 minutes, until the matzot are lightly browned and crisp.
• Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Lightly anoint each matzah with olive oil, using a brush, and sprinkle generously with salt.

MATZOH BALL SOUP

Steps:

• Wash the chicken with water and place in pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat, skimming off bubbling foam as it forms. Add celery, carrots, onion, herbs, salt and pepper and simmer, half-covered at lower heat, for at least 45 minutes, until the chicken seems done. The chicken will come away easily from the bone. Pour soup through strainer to get a clear broth. Let cool. When broth has completely cooled, skim off the fat and save for the matzoh balls.
• In a mixing bowl, mix together 4 eggs and 4 tablespoons chicken fat. Stir in the matzoh meal and salt. Add 1/4 hot water. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Form the matzoh dough into balls the size of walnuts. Bring the salted water to a boil. Add the matzoh balls, cover, and cook for 20 minutes (don't even peek!). Bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Remove matzoh balls from hot water with a slotted spoon and add to the simmering chicken broth just a few minutes before serving.

MATZO BALLS

Steps:

• Beat the eggs, oil, and seasonings in a mixing bowl. Fold in the matzo meal and mix until fully incorporated. Store the mixture, covered, in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours, or overnight.
• Boil 12 cups of water in a 4 to 5-quart saucepan. With greased hands, roll the batter into about 12 balls, a little smaller than ping-pong ball size, and drop into the boiling water. After about 5 minutes the matzo balls will begin to rise to the top of the water, and you can stir them gently. Boil until doubled in size, about 15 minutes total.
• Serve in chicken soup or use as a dumpling for other soups. Cooked matzo balls may be stored in the refrigerator, covered in water, up to 3 days.

MATZAH SALAD

Steps:

• Run a rolling pin over matzos to break up into small pieces no larger than 1/4". Cook over medium-high heat in a dry saute pan or toast in a 300*F oven for 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and add cucumbers and peppers. Cook 1 minute over medium heat.
• Turn off the heat and add capers, if using, and chives.
• Toss in a mixing bowl with the toasted matzo. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm.

MATZOH LASAGNA

Steps:

• Grease a pan large enough to fit the one matzoh board.
• You can use olive oil spray.
• Place enough sauce to cover the bottom, about 1/2 cup.
• Place the 1 matzoh board on top.
• Spread more tomato sauce over the matzoh.
• Place some cottage cheese on top of the matzoh.
• Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
• Repeat steps 3-6 until you have used up all 4 matzohs.
• End with tomato sauce.
• Top with the last 1/4 cup of mozzarella and the rest of the Parmesan cheese.
• Add 1/2 cup water (this may sound gross, do it anyway).
• Cover with silver foil, and bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes.

KOSHER PERFECT MATZO BALLS

Steps:

• Follow these instructions carefully.
• Measure and mix dry ingredients into a bowl.
• Individually break the eggs into a clear glass, discarding any with blood spots, and then pour into a second bowl.
• Add oil or schmaltz (and water or broth for firm matzo balls) to the eggs and stir gently with a fork until the yolks are broken and the oil just mixed.
• Pour egg mixture into the dry mixture and gently mix with the fork.
• DO NOT OVER MIX.
• Treat it like a muffin mixture; if you over mix they will be tough.
• Place in the fridge for 1 hour.
• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil on the stove.
• After matzo ball mix has set, gently remove teaspoon fulls of the batter and roll into 1-2" balls and drop into the water.
• When all the balls are in the water leave it to boil until all the balls float to the top, then lower the temperature to a rolling simmer for 40 minutes and your matzo balls will be ready.
• DO NOT STIR AT ANY TIME.
• The matzo balls may be removed from the water with a slotted spoon and served in soup, with a stew, as a side dish with gravy or placed on a cookie sheet and frozen covered for a later use.

MATZAH BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Mix flour and water together in a bowl using a fork. Form a small amount of dough into a ball; place dough on a piece of waxed paper. Form into a thin circle using a rolling pin. Poke holes in the dough with a fork to keep it from rising. Transfer dough circle onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until dry and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes.

MATZAH BREI

Steps:

• Put the matzah pieces in a large flat bowl or tray. Pour over 150ml of hot water and make sure all the matzah is covered. Set aside to absorb the water for about a minute, making sure they're evenly soaked. You want it a bit puffy but not disintegrating. Discard the excess water.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl with the salt and add the matzah pieces. Stir to combine.
• Heat the butter in a 25cm frying pan over medium heat until it foams. At this point, you can either pour in all of the egg and matzah mixture, and spread it in a flat layer in the pan, or form into four smaller patties. Leave the matzah brei to set for about 4-5 mins - it should be golden on the base.
• Use a spatula to flip the individual matzah brei or smaller patties over, and cook them for another 4-5 mins until golden brown. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of salt or your choice of toppings.