18 Fun Things To Do With Matzo

OFJCC — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 17:02:14 +0000

I look forward to Passover every year. I love getting together with family and friends. I’m a big fan of charoset, and I even have a special place in my stomach for gefilte fish. But around day three or four, I’ve had enough matzo! There are however a few recipes that make matzo feel less like the “bread of affliction” and more crave-worthy. Below are 18 fun ways to use matzo. How do you like to eat your matzo? Let me know in the comments below!

Apple Matzo Kugel

For a sweet kugel, I like this Apple Matzo Kugel from epicurious. If you in the mood for more of a savory dinner, check out this Cheese Matzo Kugel recipe.

Drunken Matzo Grilled Cheese

You won’t even miss the chametz in this recipe from Doves and Figs which features matzo, cheese, Manischewitz and butter!

Hillel Sandwich

This might be obvious, but you don’t have to be around the seder table to enjoy matzo with some horseradish and charoset. Learn more about the so called “Hillel Sandwich” here.

Matzo Ball Soup

The quintessential Jewish penicillin. I’ve been known to enjoy this outside of Passover, especially when I am sick. Make it from scratch with this recipe from Bon Appétit.

Matzo Bark

Martha Stewart’s recipe calls for matzo, butter, brown sugar and chocolate. I’ve seen several variations on this recipe and all look like they’re worth trying. This one from Zöey Bakes looks delicious. And so does this one from Jelly Toast!

Matzo Bars

Ditch the macaroons and weird jelly fruit and opt for this easy dessert from Half Baked Harvest with just five ingredients, and five minutes prep time.

Matzo Brei

In my family this is the traditional first night of Passover dinner. Serve with powdered sugar, sour cream and pepper or apple sauce and cinnamon. Recipe a la Saveur.

Matzo Crusted Salmon

Use Matzo in place of breadcrumbs or panko on salmon in this recipe from Whole Foods.

Matzo Granola

Chowhound’s granola is great on top of yogurt, with a little milk or by the handful. Make with farfel, or crumble your own matzo by tossing it in the blender for a few seconds.

Matzo House

Not exactly traditional, but tons of fun and a great way to get rid of extra Passover candies no one wants. Check out POPSUGAR for inspiration.

Matzo Lasagna

Go traditional with tomato sauce and cheese, or try Whole Foods’ recipe which tastes a little like spanakopita.

Matzo Latkes

Traditional Hanukkah food turned kosher for Passover. Recipe a la Martha Stewart.

Matzo Nachos

Also from What Jew Wanna Eat, try the matzo nachos AKA machos. This recipe uses matzo in place of tortilla chips.

Matzo Pizza

Please the kids (or picky husbands) with this classic Passover dish from What Jew Wanna Eat.

Matzo S’mores

Thank you Martha Stewart for giving us an excuse to eat more s’mores. Opt for Elyon marshmallows to make it kosher.

Matzo Toast

Schmear it with your favorite schmear: butter, peanut butter, gefilte fish and horseradish, chèvre or nutella or check out these suggestions from Bon Appetit.

Matzo Wraps

This recipe from Tori Avey features brisket, but it could easily be made with cheese to make this a vegetarian dish.

And if all else fails

Matzo can be substituted any place you would normally use cardboard (thank you for the suggestion Liz Torczyner). It also makes great duck food, dog treats or can be pawned off on non-Jewish coworkers who haven’t eaten it every meal for the last week.

When a Jewish Dog Becomes an Older Jewish Dog

OFJCC — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 18:24:01 +0000

My corgi Daisy recently turned 12. To mark this momentous occasion and celebrate all the wonderful years I’ve had with her (so far!) I decided to throw her a “Bark Mitzvah.” It seemed fitting, considering Jewish culture has been as much a part of her life as it has been mine. The first trick she learned was “dreidel,” where she spins around in a circle, and as the youngest “furbaby” in our family, she searches for the afikomen at Passover (having a canine sense of smell certainly helps).

So what exactly does a Bark Mitzvah entail? Will she be barking the arftarah? Will we be dancing to hava corgilah? And more importantly, will there be pupcakes? I consulted Rabbi Joey Felsen of the Jewish Study Network for advice. While Rabbi Felsen he had never heard of the custom, he did suggest a special grooming, festive meal (seudah) and blessings (brachot).

Smelling fresh as a daisy after a bath, tooth cleaning and pawdicure, Daisy greeted guests at the door. Family and friends trickled in and after a bit of kibitzing in the foyer, everyone gathered outside.

My husband started out the blessings with one that seemed to be fairly custom at other Bark Mitzvahs. It is a Jewish blessing said when one encounters beauty in nature:

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, that such as these are in Your world.

Other guests followed with their sentiments, “May you live a long and healthy life,” “May your teeth always be strong,” and a quote from a Jewish proverb, “Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure.”

After the blessings, guests shouted “muzzle tov” and threw treats at her. We rejoiced with “beagles” and lox, a family-kept secret egg dish called “spot” and pupcakes (for humans as well as doggies). The reception included some of Daisy’s favorite things: friends and family, fetch and gifts. We gave her a bark mitzvah fountain pen that squeaks, and a yarmulke and tallit (which stayed on just long enough for photos).

If you are considering throwing a Bark Mitzvah or Meow Mitzvah, check out our Pinterest board for more inspiration.

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