Break out your Haggadah, and get ready to find the afikomen. Passover 2015 is almost here.
Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays of the year because it celebrates the freedom of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. And A huge part of the eight-day celebration is the food.
The first two nights of Passover are commemorated with a seder where several specific foods are eaten every year. One of these is of course matzo, an unleavened bread that the Israelites ate during their exodus from Egypt. It's tradition to not eat any leavened grain, called chametz, or even have any in your possession, for that matter, for the entirety of Passover.
Those who have celebrated Passover in the past know that the struggle to not eat any leavened bread for eight days is real. There are only so many spreads you can put on top of matzo to give it some flavor before you feel like you will snap in half just like this unleavened bread.
Luckily, matzo is a great foundation for a lot of dishes, many of which you would never even think you could use it for. You could find a recipe for every meal during Passover, from your seder to breakfast the next morning. These nine recipes will make you want to eat matzo all year-round.
1. Horseradish Matzo Ball Soup
Let's start off with the mack daddy of them all, matzo ball soup. Everyone thinks their mom or grandma makes the best version. However, if you feel like going rogue this year, there are plenty of delish recipes available online. This one from the New York Times with horseradish looks particularly zesty.
2. Cheddar And Chutney On Matzo
One of the foods you miss eating the most during Passover is just a regular old sandwich. Though matzo is quite different from a couple of slices of soft white bread, you can still find ways to take two pieces of this stuff and slap some meat and cheese between them. One of the yummiest-looking matzo sandwich recipes around is this super easy and super cheesy one from Real Simple.
3. Macaroon Matzo Crunch
During Passover, it's not just bread that you can't eat. Cookies are unfortunately also forbidden because they contain grain. That's why macaroons made with coconut have become one of the traditional desserts for Passover celebrations. Why not combine both of these Passover favorites in one dish with this tasty Macaroon Matzo Crunch recipe from Epicurious?
4. Matzo Latkes
Speaking of combining foods, matzo and latkes, which are usually eaten during Hanukkah, would make a perfect couple, don't you think? Add some smoked salmon and horseradish cream on top, like in this recipe from Martha Stewart, and you've got yourself a slice of starchy heaven.
5. Pizza Matzo Brei
You guessed it. A big slice of your typical pepperoni pizza is no bueno during Passover either. However, there are still ways to get all the cheesy, tomato sauce-tastic goodness you could ever want. One way is to mix in some pizza ingredients into your matzo brei, another classic Passover dish that's basically fried matzo with egg. This Pizza Matzo Brei recipe from JoyOfKosher.com will taste like amore.
6. Apple-Matzo Kugel
Is it time for dessert yet? Why yes, I think it is. Kugel is traditionally made with egg noodles, but this recipe from Epicurious turns it into a take on an apple crisp. Change is good, folks. Change is good.
7. Matzo Nachos
Are there any two words in the English language that sound better than "Matzo Nachos"? I think not. Head over to The Kitchn to find out how to make Matzo Nachos a part of your life.
8. Grilled Matzo Brisket Wraps
This is a wonderful way to use your leftover brisket from your Passover seder. In fact, you'll probably want to make this recipe from Tori Avey for lunch again and again.
9. Matzo Lasagna
Why is this night different from all other nights? Because you've never had lasagna that looked and tasted as amazing as this Matzo Lasagna from Matkonation.
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