Introduction

This is a MamaMiche and in the magic kitchen today we are making a delicious breakfast for the Passover holiday week - Matzo Brei. 

No need to say God bless you! It may sound like a sneeze for those who don’t know what a matzo brei is, but it is a delicious breakfast. It makes great use of matzo and is similar to French toast or huevos rancheros. I substitute the bread or tortilla chips with... you guessed it, Matzo.

During Passover, the Jewish kosher food laws become a lot more challenging. Leavened and fermented grain products are prohibited to commemorate our freedom from Egyptian slavery. When the Jews escaped Egypt, they didn’t have time to let their bread rise before going into the desert. Because of this, any type of leavened bread or bread product is prohibited during Passover. These leavened products, known as chametz, include certain grain-based foods like bread, pasta, pastries, breadcrumbs, crackers, etc. Unleavened bread, aka “matzo,” traditionally takes the place of chametz during Passover.[1]

After a couple of days of eating cardboard, which is how my Momster would describe matzo, you do need to find different ways of cooking with the ingredients that are “Kosher for Passover” and matzo is key to the week-long holiday. It’s so important to the story of Passover which is why it is one of the four questions that the youngest child must ask at a Seder dinner, why do we eat matzo? We are Jews. We suffer. That is why.

I look forward to the Seder dinner, but I might look forward to matzoh brei more. My mom always made the sweet version using a compote or some fruit-based spread and I learned how to make that from her. The video above features the savory version I learned from my dear friend, and talented songwriter, Essra Mohawk. They are both delicious and quite a comfort to me. 

While matzo itself is quite bland and somewhat boring in texture, it is quite a versatile ingredient and you can make a variety of your favorite dishes, by substituting noodles or other chametz ingredients with matzo.

As always, I am here to help make your kitchen magic, so please buy some of our spice blends and share our socials on your social.

Chag Pesach Sameach!

Tools

• Large mixing bowl 

• Large skillet

• Fork or whisk

• Spatula

Ingredients

Makes approximately 4 servings

Savory Matzo Brei

• 6 Eggs 

• Splash of milk (optional) 

• 8 Sheets of matzo

• 2 tbs Twice Stolen Spice™

• 3-4 Baby Bells mushrooms

• 1 medium white or yellow onion 

• 2 tbs Unsalted butter

Toppings

• Chives, scallions, or sour cream, salsa, jalapeños

Sweet Matzo Brei

• 6 Eggs 

• Splash of milk (optional) 

• 8 Sheets of matzo

• A dash of salt

• 2 tbs Unsalted butter

Toppings

• Powdered sugar, maple syrup, jam or compote.

Directions

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Savory Matzo Brei

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, lightly scramble eggs and add milk if desired. Set aside

Step 2

Under cool running water, lightly rinse matzo sheets a little and break them into the bowl containing the scrambled eggs. Add about half the Twice Stolen Spice™ (or add to desired taste). Set it aside and let sit to soften while you prepare the pan. 

Step 3

Wipe the mushrooms clean with a paper towel. Slice to desired thickness. Peel and dice the onion into quarter-inch pieces. 

Step 4

Melt the butter In a skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onions to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes or until they begin to soften. Add mushrooms and sauté until they are cooked to your liking and onions become translucent. Add the egg and softened matzo mixture to the pan. Sprinkle the remaining Twice Stolen Spice™ over the pan and thoroughly mix all the ingredients together. Once mixed, allow 3-5 minutes for the mixture to cook and set. 

Serving

Serve matzo brei sprinkled with more Twice Stolen Spice™, top with chives or scallions. OR, add sour cream, salsa, jalapeños and have a fusion Mexican take on it!

Sweet Matzo Brei

Follow the directions as noted above but substitute the pinch of salt for Twice Stolen Spice™in Step 2.

Omit the onions, mushrooms, and additional Twice Stolen Spice™ in Step 4

Serving

Sprinkle with your favorite sweetener and toss well. Top with powdered sugar, maple syrup, jam, or compote.

Notes: