Matzo Meal Fried Chicken Food

MATZO-MEAL FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine the salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, paprika, ginger, cinnamon, allspice and cloves in a bowl.
• Rinse chickens and pat dry. Cut each into pieces: breasts, wings, drumsticks and thighs. If the breast halves are very large, cut them in half crosswise. Season the chicken all over with the spice mixture, cover and refrigerate for a few hours.
• Beat the eggs with a fork in a shallow dish, then mix in 2 tablespoons water. Place matzo meal in another dish. Set up two racks over two large baking sheets lined with paper towels. Dip each chicken piece in the eggs to thoroughly coat, then in the matzo meal. Set on the racks, arranging breasts, wings, legs and thighs together. Let sit for about 15 minutes at room temperature so the coating can set.
• Meanwhile, add oil to a depth of 1 1/4 inches in a large, deep frying pan or Dutch oven and heat over medium to about 325 degrees. Working in batches by chicken parts and adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a steady sizzle, fry the breasts then the dark meat until browned all around and 165 degrees or higher for white meat and 175 degrees for dark meat, 7 to 8 minutes per side. If needed, continue cooking pieces to brown evenly or cook through, about 4 minutes. Use your best judgment (and a meat thermometer): Crispy and golden brown on the outside doesn't necessarily mean done on the inside.
• Line large platters with paper towels. As the chicken pieces finish cooking, remove them with tongs and place them on the platters to drain. Sprinkle with salt, if you'd like, and serve hot or warm.

FRIED MATZOH

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in a non-stick frying pan over low heat.
• Pour hot water into a bowl. Break matzoh sheets into small chunks and soak in hot water, about 2 minutes.
• Whisk eggs and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt in a separate bowl.
• Strain matzoh and shake to remove excess water; stir matzoh into egg mixture.
• Pour the heated oil out of non-stick frying pan; place 1/2 tablespoon butter in hot pan.
• Pour matzoh and egg mixture into hot butter; cover and cook until a 'pancake' forms, about 10 minutes.
• Slide matzoh 'pancake' onto a plate.
• Place remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter in hot pan.
• Place a second plate over matzoh 'pancake' and flip plates over so the uncooked side is on the bottom.
• Lie matzoh 'pancake' in melted butter; cover pan and cook until bottom of pancake is browned, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and season with kosher salt.

MATZO-CRUSTED CHICKEN CUTLETS

Steps:

• Beat egg in a shallow dish. Mix crushed matzos, salt, and pepper in another shallow dish. Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a large cast-iron skillet until it registers 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer.
• Working with 1 at a time, dip cutlets into egg, then into matzo, pressing to adhere and coating both sides. Place 2 cutlets in skillet, and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels. Repeat with remaining 2 cutlets. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

PASSOVER APRICOT "FRIED" CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pour approximately 3 Tablespoons of olive oil in the bottom of a 9 x12 glass casserole dish and set aside,.
• Mix wine and apricot preserves together and set aside.
• Set out three bowls. Beat eggs and set in one; place matzo cake meal in second and matzo meal mixed with pepper and garlic powder in 3rd.
• Pound chicken breasts ( not too thin). Cut in two.
• Dip breast half in egg, then cake meal and then matzo meal.
• Place in olive oil greased casserole dish. Bake at 375 for 15 to 20 miuntes, turn and add a little more olive oil if needed. Bake another 15 minutes until light brown and then pour Apricot mixture over chicken. Bake another 15 to 20 minutes.

EASY MATZO

Steps:

• With the racks positioned the top third and middle, heat oven to 500 degrees.
• In a large bowl, use a wooden spoon to stir together all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour and kosher salt. Add in 1/2 cup water and the 1/4 cup oil, and stir until a pliable dough forms, adding more water if the dough seems dry.
• Lightly flour a work surface, and knead dough briefly until it becomes smooth. Cut dough into 4 even pieces. Re-flour your work surface, if necessary, and use a rolling pin to roll out 2 pieces as thinly as you can, about 6 to 8 inches in diameter. (They should be almost translucent.) Aim for rounds, but don't worry if they are oblong.
• Transfer each matzo to a separate cookie sheet, and prick each one all over with a fork. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if you like. Bake until golden all over and lightly browned in spots, about 7 to 12 minutes. (Timing will depend on how thinly you rolled the dough.) Transfer matzos to a wire rack and let cool.
• While first batch is baking, roll out remaining dough. If you have enough baking sheets, transfer the rolled dough onto another two sheets. If not, use the warm sheet trays you used in the first batch, being careful while transferring and pricking the dough with a fork. Bake and cool.