homemade small batch matzo

Homemade Small Batch Matzo

Delicious and matzo are not usually combined in the same sentence. But this homemade small batch matzo is actually tasty. Really!

We eat matzo, and other special foods, as part of the observance of Passover. If you are not familiar, the Passover holiday celebrates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. The occasion is observed by having a feast, featuring special foods: matzo (signifying the unleavened bread we had to eat because we had to leave in a hurry and couldn’t wait for the bread to rise), charoset (a mixture of nuts and apples with wine that signifies bricks and mortar), horseradish (signifying the bitterness of slavery), lettuce or other greens dipped in saltwater (for tears), and four cups of wine.  We also read the story of the escape (exodus) from a book called the Haggadah. The entire meal and ceremony is called a seder (order).
Back to the matzo. The supermarket stuff is, frankly, awful. My grandma used to call it hemstitched cardboard. Everything you’d normally eat that’s made with flour or leavening (noodles, rolls, pie, etc. has to be made with matzo). Since there’s no leavening it’s all really dense and heavy and hard to digest.
However, some time ago, I discovered I could make my own matzo. I found this recipe and it actually has something that store bought matzo sorely lacks. Namely… taste!
Since this is for one, I halved the recipe. Note that your oven temp may vary, and the matzo cooking time may vary. Keep an eye on it!







More Passover Foods

stovetop coq au vinStovetop Coq au Vin Chicken with Red Wine Sauce

An “easy button” version of a French classic. The usual version takes a lot of time and effort. This one doesn’t.

For Passover, swap the flour for potato starch.

Jewish chicken curry chitarneeJewish Chicken Curry Chitarnee

This Sephardic recipe is packed with flavor. It’s spicier than Eastern European food, but not super-hot.  Flavored with onion, garlic, ginger, mild chilis, and cardamom, all of which become warm and mellow as they cook. The wine vinegar is OK for Passover too. And only one pot!

Cinnamon Sugar Brandy Bananascinnamon sugar bananas

Finish off your feast with sweet bananas, lightly dusted with cinnamon. It’s simple, and delicious too.

 

 

poached pears with chocolate sauce and ice creamPoached Pears with Chocolate Sauce and Ice Cream

Sure, this looks decadent. It might me. It’s also rich, easy, and delicious. Fancy enough for company or a special feast, but simple enough for a Wednesday.