Jewish Holiday Cooking

Savory Artichoke Matzoh Brie
Yield: 4 servings

I usually prepare this delicious, well-seasoned version in the homey, scrambled egg-style for brunch or a casual meatless main course at lunch or dinner. But I’ve also brought it to the table whole like a poufy frittata, to be served in wedges as a dressy side dish. For a lovely starter, prepare this matzoh brie as individual “pancakes” (see Fried Pancake-Style Matzoh Brie), topped with smoked salmon or caviar (kosher fish roe), with or without sour cream or yogurt cream.

Ingredients:
3 cups very thinly sliced onion (3/4 pound)
5 tablespoons olive oil, or 4 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
11/2 cups lightly precooked fresh or thawed frozen artichoke hearts (about 4 1/2 ounces), sliced (if using frozen, pat them dry between layers of paper towels)
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh garlic (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or fine-quality red wine vinegar
4 whole plain or egg matzohs
5 large eggs
3 tablespoons finely snipped fresh dill, plus additional for garnish (also delightful and fresh-tasting with finely chopped mint leaves added to or in place of the dill)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Optional accompaniments: yogurt cream or yogurt, plain or mixed with finely chopped scallions

Directions:
In a 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet (preferably well-seasoned cast-iron or nonstick), saute the onions in 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat, lifting and turning them occasionally, until soft and golden at the edges, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the artichokes and garlic, if using, and continue lifting and scraping for 5 to 7 minutes, until the artichokes are cooked through and the onions are dotted with dark gold. Generously season with salt and pepper and add the vinegar. Cook for a few minutes over high heat, stirring, until the vinegar is completely evaporated and just a soft, acidic sparkle remains. Taste again for seasoning, then remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Break the matzohs into 2- or 3-inch pieces and place in a bowl. Cover with cold water and soak for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, beat the eggs in a large bowl until light and foamy. Drain the matzoh in a colander, pressing out all the water with your hands or the back of a spoon, and add to the eggs. Add the dill and oregano, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the artichokes and onions and combine thoroughly.

Please read Making Matzoh Brie and choose the cooking style you prefer. Wipe out the skillet thoroughly, add the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil or 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon butter and heat until sizzling. Add the matzoh batter all at once, and cook either frittata-style (in one piece, waiting until the whole is golden brown before turning, or break it into sections with the spatula in order to turn it) or scrambled egg-style (lifting and turning pieces as different egg-soaked matzohs begin to set). Or drop it in by heaping tablespoonfuls, like pancakes, and fry over medium heat, until golden brown on the bottom, then turn and fry until done to taste on the other side (either golden and fluffy or more well-done and crisp).
Serve matzoh brie as soon as it is done, accompanied, if desired, by the yogurt cream or yogurt and sprinkled with additional fresh dill or mint.

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Savory Artichoke Matzoh Brie Yield: 4 servings I usually prepare this delicious, well-seasoned version in the homey, scrambled egg-style for brunch or a casual meatless main course at lunch or dinner. But I’ve also brought it to the table whole like a poufy frittata, to be served in wedges as a dressy side dish. For a lovely starter, prepare this matzoh brie as individual “pancakes” (see Fried Pancake-Style Matzoh Brie), topped with smoked salmon or caviar (kosher fish roe), with or without sour cream or yogurt cream. Ingredients: 3 cups very thinly sliced onion (3/4 pound) 5 tablespoons olive oil, or 4 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 11/2 cups lightly precooked fresh or thawed frozen artichoke hearts (about 4 1/2 ounces), sliced (if using frozen, pat them dry between layers of paper towels) 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh garlic (optional) Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or fine-quality red wine vinegar 4 whole plain or egg matzohs 5 large eggs 3 tablespoons finely snipped fresh dill, plus additional for garnish (also delightful and fresh-tasting with finely chopped mint leaves added to or in place of the dill) 1 teaspoon dried oregano Optional accompaniments: yogurt cream or yogurt, plain or mixed with finely chopped scallions Directions: In a 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet (preferably well-seasoned cast-iron or nonstick), saute the onions in 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat, lifting and turning them occasionally, until soft and golden at the edges, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the artichokes and garlic, if using, and continue lifting and scraping for 5 to 7 minutes, until the artichokes are cooked through and the onions are dotted with dark gold. Generously season with salt and pepper and add the vinegar. Cook for a few minutes over high heat, stirring, until the vinegar is completely evaporated and just a soft, acidic sparkle remains. Taste again for seasoning, then remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Break the matzohs into 2- or 3-inch pieces and place in a bowl. Cover with cold water and soak for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, beat the eggs in a large bowl until light and foamy. Drain the matzoh in a colander, pressing out all the water with your hands or the back of a spoon, and add to the eggs. Add the dill and oregano, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the artichokes and onions and combine thoroughly. Please read Making Matzoh Brie and choose the cooking style you prefer. Wipe out the skillet thoroughly, add the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil or 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon butter and heat until sizzling. Add the matzoh batter all at once, and cook either frittata-style (in one piece, waiting until the whole is golden brown before turning, or break it into sections with the spatula in order to turn it) or scrambled egg-style (lifting and turning pieces as different egg-soaked matzohs begin to set). Or drop it in by heaping tablespoonfuls, like pancakes, and fry over medium heat, until golden brown on the bottom, then turn and fry until done to taste on the other side (either golden and fluffy or more well-done and crisp). Serve matzoh brie as soon as it is done, accompanied, if desired, by the yogurt cream or yogurt and sprinkled with additional fresh dill or mint.

Click to print this page (or select File > Print)