A chicken and egg.

An Israeli recipe from Zahav!

My cookbook collection is diverse – as the recipes I’ve prepared and shared here reflect. Today’s recipe tops the leader board for uniqueness, preparation and of course, taste. I found it in Israel Soul (2018) by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook. The two own Zahav, an Israeli restaurant in Philadelphia, along with seven other restaurants. My son, Todd, met Solomonov when he worked for Jewish National Fund in New York – and gifted his mother, me, with this beautiful book filled with phenomenal recipes, cooking tips and of course, mouth-watering photos. What’s unique about this recipe is that it doesn’t require the customary three step process required for traditional schnitzel (flour, egg, bread crumbs). Instead you brine chicken breasts in a mixture of eggs and a special spice blend and then dredge them in matzo meal and fry ‘em up! Wow is all I can say about this crispy/crunchy/savory chicken. A must try!

Chicken Schnitzel

4 skinless chicken breasts

4 large eggs

2 tablespoons Hawaij Spice Blend (recipe follows)

2 cups matzo meal

2 teaspoons plus a pinch of kosher salt

¼ cup canola oil

Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally and pound (with a mallet or the back of a heavy pan) to an even ¼ inch thickness. In a  shallow baking dish, beat the eggs with the hawaij. Place the chicken in the dish and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or up to overnight.

Place the matzo meal in a shallow dish and stir in the 2 teaspoons salt. Dredge the chicken in the matzo meal and set aside.

Heat the oil in a large cast-iron  skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken one or two pieces at a time, and cook until golden and crispy, about 3 minutes per side. Drain the chicken on paper towels, transfer to a plate, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.

Hawaij Spice Blend

Combine ¼ cup ground turmeric, 2 tablespoons freshly ground pepper and 2 tablespoons ground cumin in a small bowl and mix well. Store in a covered jar. Makes ½ cup – enough for two batches of this delicious chicken!