Joans Chremslach Recipes

JOAN NATHAN'S MATZO CHREMSEL

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the matzo, currants, almonds, apricots, egg yolks, matzo meal, salt, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest and juice. Mix lightly and set aside.
• Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, mix egg whites just until stiff peaks form; do not overbeat. Fold into the matzo mixture. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
• Set aside a plate lined with paper towels. Fill a wok or sauté pan with 2 inches vegetable oil. Place over medium-high heat and bring to 375 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Working in batches, carefully spoon the batter, one heaping tablespoon at a time, into the hot oil, without crowding the pan. Fry until golden and crisp, 30 seconds to 1 minute a side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Serve warm, if possible, sprinkled with the granulated sugar or confectioners' sugar. If desired, chremsel may be reheated in a 350-degree oven just before serving.

JOAN'S CHREMSLACH

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Set aside. In a medium bowl, combine matzos, currants, almonds, apricots, egg yolks, matzo meal, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold beaten egg whites into the matzo mixture.
• Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375 degrees in a low-sided medium stockpot over medium-high heat. Carefully spoon batter, 1 tablespoon at a time, into hot oil without crowding pan. Fry until golden and crisp, about 1 minute on each side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to prepared baking sheet to drain well. Serve at room temperature, or reheat in oven just before serving.

PASSOVER CHREMSLACH

Steps:

• 1. Mix together the matzahs, currants, almonds, apricots, egg yolks, matzah meal, sugar, lemon rind, and lemon juice.
• 2. Beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold into the matzah mixture, adding matzah meal to make the mixture hold together.
• 3. Using an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat about 2 inches of oil to 375 degrees. Drop the mixture by tablespoons and brown a few minutes on each side until they are crisp. Cook only about three at a time. Drain well on paper. Serve at room temperature or crisped up in the oven. The fritters are especially delicious with stewed prunes with orange juice as an accompaniment, if desired.
• Note: You can make these in the morning, drain on paper, leave out all day, and crisp in the oven just before serving.

EASY PESACH (PASSOVER) CHREMSLACH

Steps:

• Beat together eggs, cream cheese, milk, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. (The original recipe called for cottage cheese, but I only had cream cheese and I loved the result anyways.).
• Stir in matzo meal and mix well. You should have the consistency of pancake or latkes batter. Add milk to thin or add matzo meal to thicken.
• Heat a thin layer of butter or oil in a skillet on medium. (Careful, I learned the hard way that butter can burn easily if it gets too hot.) Drop spoonfuls of batter into the skillet and fry, flipping each chremsel when it browns on one side.
• Should make about 14 medium sized chremslach, which can feed 2 adults if it is the centerpiece of your meal. (Though if hungry, I could polish off most of the plate by myself.) For a nice touch, you can dust them with powdered sugar or serve with maple syrup.