Matzoh Baklava Food

MATZOH BAKLAVA

Steps:

• Briefly pass each sheet of matzoh under cold running water until wet on all sides. Layer sheets between damp paper towels and let stand until somewhat pliable but not soggy or falling apart, about 2 hours.
• While matzoh is softening, make syrup
• In small saucepan over moderately high heat, stir together 1 cup water and sugar. Bring to boil, then lower heat to moderate and cook, uncovered, until syrupy and thick, about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, honey, and rose water and simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool, then chill until ready to use.
• Assemble dessert
• Preheat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir together walnuts, pistachios, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom. Separate out 1/6 of nut mixture and reserve for topping cooked baklava.
• Transfer 1 sheet matzoh to counter. Press rolling pin once over sheet from one end to other to flatten. Rotate 90 degrees and repeat. Transfer to 8-inch-square pan and brush with melted margarine. Sprinkle with 1/5 of unreserved nut mixture.
• Roll out second sheet of matzoh and transfer to pan. Brush with margarine and sprinkle with nut mixture. Repeat with remaining matzoh sheets and remaining nut mixture, ending with matzoh sheet brushed with margarine on top.
• Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Transfer to rack and immediately pour chilled syrup over. Sprinkle with reserved nut mixture. Let cool, then cover and let stand at least 8 hours and up to 3 days. (Do not chill.) Cut into small squares or diamonds and serve.

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.

PASSOVER BAKLAVA

Steps:

• Take the matzah out of the water and cover with paper towels for 15-20 minutes or till soft enough to fold.
• Combine the first 4 ingredients with 3 tablespoons of the butter.
• Using an 8" square pan, make layers of matzah and nut mixture ending with a piece of matzah.
• Drizzle top of matzah with 2 1/2 tablespoons of melted butter.
• Bake@ 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
• When almost cool, cut into squares.
• FOR THE SYRUP: Combine all ingredients and the remaining butter (2 1/2 tablespoons) and boil for 10 minutes stirring slowly till thickened.
• When syrup is cool, drizzle over cut squares.

MY TRADEMARK, MOST REQUESTED, ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT CARAMEL MATZOH CRUNCH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large (or two smaller) cookie sheet completely with foil. Cover the bottom of the sheet with baking parchment - on top of the foil. This is very important since the mixture becomes sticky during baking.
• Line the bottom of the cookie sheet evenly with the matzohs, cutting extra pieces, as required, to fit any spaces.
• In a 3-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the butter or margarine and the brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil (about 2 to 4 minutes). Boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and pour over the matzoh, covering completely.
• Place the baking sheet in the oven and immediately reduce the heat to 350°. Bake for 15 minutes, checking every few minutes to make sure the mixture is not burning (if it seems to be browning too quickly, remove the pan from the oven, lower the heat to 325°, and replace the pan).
• Remove from the oven and sprinkle immediately with the chopped chocolate or chips. Let stand for 5 minutes, then spread the melted chocolate over the matzoh. While still warm, break into squares or odd shapes. Chill, still in the pan, in the freezer until set.
• This makes a good gift.
• Variation:
• You can also use coarsely chopped white chocolate (or a combination of white and dark), and chopped or slivered toasted almonds (sprinkled on top as the chocolate sets). You can also omit the chocolate for a caramel-alone buttercrunch.