Matzo Meal Fried Chicken Recipes

MATZO-MEAL FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine the salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, paprika, ginger, cinnamon, allspice and cloves in a bowl.
• Rinse chickens and pat dry. Cut each into pieces: breasts, wings, drumsticks and thighs. If the breast halves are very large, cut them in half crosswise. Season the chicken all over with the spice mixture, cover and refrigerate for a few hours.
• Beat the eggs with a fork in a shallow dish, then mix in 2 tablespoons water. Place matzo meal in another dish. Set up two racks over two large baking sheets lined with paper towels. Dip each chicken piece in the eggs to thoroughly coat, then in the matzo meal. Set on the racks, arranging breasts, wings, legs and thighs together. Let sit for about 15 minutes at room temperature so the coating can set.
• Meanwhile, add oil to a depth of 1 1/4 inches in a large, deep frying pan or Dutch oven and heat over medium to about 325 degrees. Working in batches by chicken parts and adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a steady sizzle, fry the breasts then the dark meat until browned all around and 165 degrees or higher for white meat and 175 degrees for dark meat, 7 to 8 minutes per side. If needed, continue cooking pieces to brown evenly or cook through, about 4 minutes. Use your best judgment (and a meat thermometer): Crispy and golden brown on the outside doesn't necessarily mean done on the inside.
• Line large platters with paper towels. As the chicken pieces finish cooking, remove them with tongs and place them on the platters to drain. Sprinkle with salt, if you'd like, and serve hot or warm.

FRIED MATZOH

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in a non-stick frying pan over low heat.
• Pour hot water into a bowl. Break matzoh sheets into small chunks and soak in hot water, about 2 minutes.
• Whisk eggs and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt in a separate bowl.
• Strain matzoh and shake to remove excess water; stir matzoh into egg mixture.
• Pour the heated oil out of non-stick frying pan; place 1/2 tablespoon butter in hot pan.
• Pour matzoh and egg mixture into hot butter; cover and cook until a 'pancake' forms, about 10 minutes.
• Slide matzoh 'pancake' onto a plate.
• Place remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter in hot pan.
• Place a second plate over matzoh 'pancake' and flip plates over so the uncooked side is on the bottom.
• Lie matzoh 'pancake' in melted butter; cover pan and cook until bottom of pancake is browned, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and season with kosher salt.

MATZO-CRUSTED CHICKEN CUTLETS

Steps:

• Beat egg in a shallow dish. Mix crushed matzos, salt, and pepper in another shallow dish. Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a large cast-iron skillet until it registers 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer.
• Working with 1 at a time, dip cutlets into egg, then into matzo, pressing to adhere and coating both sides. Place 2 cutlets in skillet, and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels. Repeat with remaining 2 cutlets. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

BROOKLYN BOWL FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with oil to a depth of about 3 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until a deep-fat thermometer reads 375 degrees.
• Meanwhile, whisk the egg whites in a large, shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, combine the matzo meal and flour. Keeping the dark meat and the white separate, dip each chicken piece in egg white and let excess drip back into the bowl. Then roll each chicken piece in the matzo mix, and tap off excess.
• Carefully lower the chicken thighs and drumsticks into the oil. After 3 minutes, carefully add the breast pieces. (Keep the oil at 375 by adjusting heat as necessary.) Fry until dark gold, about 10 minutes more. Transfer the fried chicken to a paper-towel-lined plate. Sprinkle immediately with salt and pepper, then coat the pieces with the Cajun seasoning. Serve the chicken with honey, for dipping.

CLASSIC MATZO BREI

Steps:

• Under cool running water, rinse matzo sheets until they are quite wet. Set it aside and let sit to soften while you prepare the pan.
• Place a large, preferably nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add butter. Once it melts and the foam subsides, break matzo sheets into bite-size pieces and add to pan. Sauté matzo in butter until it browns all over, about 2 minutes.
• Add eggs, salt and pepper (if you're making the dish savory) to pan and scramble the mixture until it is just set but still light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with sugar (if you're making it sweet) and toss well.
• Serve matzo brei sprinkled with salt and topped with chives (savory), or with salt, additional sugar and maple syrup (sweet).