The first time I ate matzah brei, I was in college and a friend was pouring maple syrup over a matzah-and-egg mixture that she swore was her favorite Passover dish. I was suspicious. I wasn’t averse to eating eggs and matzah, but I certainly wasn’t anticipating enjoying wet matzah. But like many matzah brei first-timers, I was pleasantly surprised. Since then, I’ve eaten my share of matzah brei, and I favor the savory versions. This one combines customary Jewish flavors—red onion, smoked salmon and crème fraiche—and is prepared like a Spanish tortilla, browned on one side, flipped, then cut into wedges.
Matzah Brei
Serves 4 to 6
3 tablespoons butter, cut into 3 pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ red onion, sliced thin
4 eggs, plus 1 yolk
2 tablespoons half-and-half
2 teaspoons chopped dill
3 sheets matzah
Salt
Pepper
Smoked salmon, for serving
Lemony Crème Fraiche
1/3 cup crème fraiche or sour cream
1 teaspoon lemon zest
½ teaspoon juice
1. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat until butter has melted and is only slightly frothy. Add onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are lightly browned and soft, about 8 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, dill, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Fill baking dish with 2 inches of water and submerge matzah for 15 seconds. Drain dish and crumble matzah into egg mixture.
3. When onions are cooked through, pour egg and matzah mixture into pan. Shake pan and use rubber spatula to fold mixture over itself for 10 seconds. Smooth top of mixture and let cook until bottom is light brown and edges easily pull away from sides of pan, about 7 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, stir together crème fraiche, lemon zest and lemon juice in small bowl. Set aside.
5. Using rubber spatula, loosen matzah brei from pan and slide it cooked-side down onto large dinner plate or cutting board. (Bottom should be set, while top is still jiggly.) Place second large dinner plate upside-down on top of matzah brei, so matzah brei is completely covered. Holding both plates, flip plates over so cooked side is now on top. Remove top plate, and slide matzah brei back into pan. Cook until bottom is cooked through and golden brown, another 3 minutes. Transfer to serving plate, cut in wedges and serve with lemony crème fraiche.
