Basic Matzoh Brei Recipes

CLASSIC MATZO BREI

Steps:

• Under cool running water, rinse matzo sheets until they are quite wet. Set it aside and let sit to soften while you prepare the pan.
• Place a large, preferably nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add butter. Once it melts and the foam subsides, break matzo sheets into bite-size pieces and add to pan. Sauté matzo in butter until it browns all over, about 2 minutes.
• Add eggs, salt and pepper (if you're making the dish savory) to pan and scramble the mixture until it is just set but still light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with sugar (if you're making it sweet) and toss well.
• Serve matzo brei sprinkled with salt and topped with chives (savory), or with salt, additional sugar and maple syrup (sweet).

MATZO BREI

Steps:

• Take the matzo and break into small pieces into a bowl. Cover with hot water for a minute. Then squeeze out the water.
• In a small bowl, beat one egg with salt and pepper to taste and add to matzo. Mix well.
• Heat frying pan with a little oil. Pour mixture into the pan. Brown one side and turn over.

MATZO BREI

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, break the matzo into 1-inch pieces. Bring the water to a boil and pour over the matzos. Quickly toss the matzo, then drain off any excess. In a bowl, beat the eggs with a fork. Mix the eggs, salt and pepper into the matzo. Over high heat, heat the butter and oil in a large saute pan. Add the matzo and fry until crisp. Flip over to fry the other side, breaking into pieces as it cooks. Serve with Maple syrup, or preserves.

MATZO BREI

Steps:

• Coarsely crumble matzo crackers into a fine mesh sieve set over a large bowl; reserve crumbs in bowl. Place sieve under cold running water until matzo is softened, about 15 seconds; drain. Stir softened matzo, eggs, milk, crumbs and salt until combined. , Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add half of the matzo mixture. Cook, without stirring, until bottom is golden brown, 3-4 minutes; flip. Cook until bottom is golden brown and eggs are cooked through, 3-4 minutes. Transfer to platter. Repeat with remaining butter and matzo mixture. Serve hot with maple syrup if desired.

RUTH REICHL'S MATZO BREI

Steps:

• Crumble matzos into a large sieve placed over a bowl to catch crumbs, then hold sieve under running cold water until matzos are moist and softened but not completely disintegrated, about 15 seconds. Transfer to bowl with crumbs, then add eggs and salt and mix gently with a fork.
• Heat butter in a 10- to 12-inch skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides. Add matzo mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until eggs are scrambled and matzo has begun to crisp, about 3 minutes.

SWEET MATZO BREI

Steps:

• Pass each matzo sheet under cool running water briefly, then crumble into a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup milk, eggs, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla extract to form evenly moistened batter. Add more milk if batter is too dry.
• Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Scoop a generous spoonful of dough onto skillet and flatten with a spatula. Cook until golden brown on each side, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining batter.

QUICK MATZO BREI

Steps:

• Break each matzo square into about 8 pieces; place in a medium bowl. Add enough boiling water to cover, and soak until moistened, 2 or 3 minutes; drain. Squeeze well with hands to remove excess water.
• In a medium bowl, beat eggs with nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon salt; add softened matzo, and mix.
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, swirling to coat; add matzo mixture, and press in gently. Cook until browned on underside, 4 to 6 minutes; carefully invert cake onto a plate. Heat remaining tablespoon butter in skillet, and slide cake back into skillet. Cook until other side is browned, 4 to 6 minutes more.
• Turn cake out of skillet, and cut into wedges. Serve hot.

BASIC MATZOH BREI

Steps:

• Break up matzoh crackers into tiny pieces and put into a strainer.
• Run warm water over the broken up matzoh to soak it for a few minutes.
• Break eggs, whip with a fork til frothy.
• Add salt and pepper.
• Add soaked, but drained, matzoh to eggs.
• Melt 1 T butter in frying pan.
• Fry egg/matzoh mixture like you would scrambled eggs.
• Enjoy -- no need for toast, all in the pan!

MIXED BERRY MATZO BREI

Steps:

• For the spiced sugar: Combine the sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom in a small bowl and set aside.
• For the matzo brei: Fill a large mixing bowl with cold water. Break the matzo sheets into 1- to 2-inch pieces and add to the water, allowing to moisten for 45 seconds. Drain in a colander. In the now-empty mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, vanilla, and salt. Fold the moistened matzo into the egg mixture to evenly coat.
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in the egg-matzo mixture and spread out evenly in the pan. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the eggs to make a soft scramble, cooking until just set (the eggs should still be a little runny). Turn off the heat. Add the butter, then fold in 1 tablespoon of the spiced sugar and most of the compote, reserving some for serving.
• Transfer the matzo brei to a serving bowl or platter. Sprinkle with more spiced sugar to taste, and top with the remaining compote. Serve with whipped cream, a sprinkle of flakey salt and the remaining spiced sugar on the side.
• Combine the fruit, honey, lemon juice, salt and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is broken down but still chunky, about 10 minutes. Remove from the stove, then discard the cinnamon stick.

SAVORY MATZO BREI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250ºF.
• Put a kettle of water (about 3 1/2 quarts) on high heat to boil.
• Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon margarine in a 12-inch skillet on low heat.
• Add onions, and saute over medium-high heat until soft and golden brown, stirring frequently to prevent burning, about 15 minutes.
• Add mushrooms, and continue cooking until soft, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
• Remove from heat, and set aside to cool slightly.
• Break eggs into a large bowl, and beat lightly.
• Add mushroom mixture, stirring well to combine.
• Make batter:
• Break matzos into 1 1/2- to 2-inch pieces directly into a colander, and pour the boiling water over them.
• Let matzo stand until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes, and add to the mushroom-egg mixture, adjusting the seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary.
• Let stand for 5 minutes.
• Melt remaining tablespoon margarine in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Pour 1/4 cup of batter into pan to form a 3-inch pancake, lightly pressing with a spatula to make pancake even.
• Repeat, cooking 3 pancakes per batch.
• Cook pancakes until nicely browned, about 2 minutes.
• Turn and cook the other side about 2 minutes more.
• Transfer to oven to keep warm and repeat process until all the batter is used up, making about 28 pancakes.
• Serve immediately.

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.