Matzah Meets the Easter Bunny

During Passover I am reminded of one of my friends from grade school. Her name was Alisa and she was one of the first friends I ever had that celebrated Passover. We met in the sixth grade. I was intrigued by someone who was not allowed to eat a particular food for an entire week. We made a pact very early on. I always saved one of my chocolate Easter Bunnies for her and she would stash it away in her desk until Passover was over. Looking back on this now I am astonished that an eleven-year-old would have such self control. In return, she would bring me matzah.

At lunch time I would take out my tuna fish sandwich and carefully scrape the tuna off of the not so interesting white bread and on to the matzah cracker. Delicious. It never occurred to me to ask my mother to purchase matzah. I had the distinct feeling that it was not such an easy commodity to come by at the local grocery store. In fact, I remember Alisa telling me that they were sent, by the case, from an aunt who lived in New York City. A family care package.

These days it is easy to find matzah. Or at least I thought so until my friend Otto informed me that there is a matzah shortage this year. I know that the local Safeway has a large display. I don’t really know if they stock it all year because it is only during this week that I have a craving for it. As the years have gone on I have learned how to cook with matzah. My friend NA has spent time showing me how to scramble eggs with slightly moistened matzah. And I have been inspired to try my hand at dipping it in dark chocolate. A sacrilege? I hope not. In fact, one of my favorite confectioners, Charles Chocolates in Emeryville, California, sells bittersweet chocolate-covered matzah. One pound in a clear box topped with a lovely blue ribbons sells for $26 plus tax and shipping. Or you could order one pound in the deluxe gift box for $34 plus tax and shipping. Check out their Web site. Who knows, they may have a post-Passover sale!

It is easy, however, to chocolate coat your own. This is what I do: melt semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave following package instructions. Line a sheet pan with foil or wax paper. Place a cooling rack on top. Once the chocolate has melted, use a pastry brush to brush the tops of each piece of matzah. Place on the rack, chocolate side up. Allow to harden. Repeat with un-coated side. Allow to harden. Store in an airtight container.