Passover Potato Pie Recipe

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Much like the holiday itself, this dish is steeped in tradition, sentiment, and a touch of simplicity, which belies its deliciousness. Each year, as I gather the ingredients, I am transported back to my grandmother’s kitchen, where the aromas of cooking potatoes and herbs formed a staple symphony that defined our family gatherings. I’m excited to share her treasured Passover Potato Pie recipe with you.

How to make Passover Potato Pie

Passover Potato Pie, often called “kugel,” is a traditional dish enjoyed during the Passover holiday in Jewish cuisine. It typically features grated potatoes mixed with eggs, onions, and sometimes other ingredients like matzo meal or spices. The mixture is baked until golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and flavorful inside.

Ingredients:

For the Potato Filling:

• 6 large potatoes: Choosing a starchy variety like Russet or Yukon Gold will help achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
• Four large eggs: These act as a binder for the pie, providing structure and richness.
• 1/2 cup of olive oil: A good quality olive oil enhances flavor and adds moisture to the pie.
• 1/2 cup of matzo meal: This replaces traditional flour to keep the dish Passover-friendly, offering a slight nuttiness and helping to thicken the filling.
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped: Onion adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the filling.
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced: Garlic introduces a warm, aromatic quality to the dish (optional, based on taste preference).
• Salt and pepper to taste: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients.

For Garnish (Optional):

• Fresh parsley: Chopped parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note.
• Paprika: A sprinkle of paprika on top before baking offers a subtle smokiness and vibrant color.

Instructions:

1. Preparation: Begin by peeling and roughly chopping the potatoes into equal-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking.
2. Cook the Potatoes: Place the potatoes in a large pot of salted boiling water. Cook them until they are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well and let them cool slightly to handle.
3. Preheat the Oven: While the potatoes are cooling, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch pie dish or a baking dish of similar size with a little olive oil.
4. Mash and Mix: Mash the potatoes in a large bowl until smooth. To the mashed potatoes, add the beaten eggs, olive oil, matzo meal, chopped onion, minced garlic (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Stir everything together until it forms a cohesive and evenly mixed filling.
5. Assemble the Pie: Transfer the potato mixture to your greased pie dish. Smooth the top with a spatula to ensure an even layer. For a touch of flavor and color, sprinkle the top lightly with paprika.
6. Bake the potato pie in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the dish.
7. Serving: Allow the pie to cool for a few minutes before serving. This resting period helps the pie set and makes slicing easier. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish.

Tips for Success:

• The texture is Key: For a smoother filling, consider passing the boiled potatoes through a ricer or food mill. A simple hand mash will do if you prefer a bit of texture.
• Flavor Variations: Feel free to customize the filling by adding different herbs or spices. Dill, thyme, or rosemary can complement the potatoes beautifully.
• Crispy Top: For an extra crispy top, consider drizzling a little more olive oil over the pie before baking.
• High-Quality Ingredients: The simplicity of this dish means that the quality of each ingredient shines through. Use the best olive oil and the freshest eggs you can find for the best result.

What to serve with

Passover Potato Pie, with its comforting appeal and savory flavors, is versatile enough to pair with various dishes to complete your Passover meal.

Protein Dishes

• Roasted Lamb: Lamb is a traditional choice for Passover and roasting it with herbs like rosemary, garlic, and thyme brings out its natural flavors. A simple roasted lamb shoulder or leg of lamb can serve as a centerpiece dish alongside your Passover Potato Pie.
• Brisket: A tender, slow-cooked brisket with a flavorful sauce complements the creamy texture of the Passover Potato Pie. The richness of the meat pairs beautifully with the subtleness of the potatoes.
• Grilled Chicken with Herbs: For a lighter protein option, marinated and grilled chicken breasts or thighs can offer a delightful contrast. Use Passover-friendly herbs and spices to marinate the chicken.

Vegetarian Options

• Stuffed Peppers with Quinoa and Vegetables: For a colorful and nutritious vegetarian option, stuffed peppers are excellent. They can be filled with a mixture of quinoa, mushrooms, zucchini, and seasonings and then baked until tender.
• Matzo Ball Soup: Starting your meal with a comforting bowl of matzo ball soup is traditional and heartwarming. The soup can be vegetable or chicken-based, making it a versatile choice.

Vegetable Sides

• Roasted Asparagus with Lemon: Asparagus, tossed with olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper, then roasted until tender-crisp, makes a refreshing side that balances the richness of the potato pie.
• Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds: Green beans sautéed with slivered almonds and a touch of garlic offer a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor that complements the creamy potatoes well.
• Glazed Carrots: Carrots glazed with a bit of honey (ensure it’s kosher for Passover) and a hint of cinnamon or ginger make a sweet and savory side dish that brings color and balance to the meal.

Salads

• Simple Green Salad: A salad made with mixed greens, cucumber, radishes, and a light vinaigrette offers a fresh, crisp contrast to the pie. It’s an easy way to add a refreshing element to your meal.
• Beet and Orange Salad: The earthiness of roasted beets, combined with the sweetness of oranges and a tangy dressing, creates a flavorful salad that stands up to the savory potato pie.

Ingredients Substitutes

During Passover, many people follow dietary restrictions that exclude using grains, legumes, and certain other ingredients, adhering to the principle of eating only “Kosher for Passover” foods. If you are making a Passover Potato Pie, here are some ingredient substitutions you can consider in order to keep it appropriate for the holiday:

Crust

• Matzo Meal: Instead of traditional flour, you can use matzo meal to make the crust for your potato pie. This is a common substitution and can be bought in kosher-for-Passover versions.
• Potato Starch: You can also use potato starch as a binding agent in your crust if you’re making a version from scratch.

Flour Substitutes

• Almond Flour: For thickening or minor baking needs, almond flour can serve as an excellent flour substitute during Passover.
• Coconut Flour: Another flour alternative that may be used is coconut flour, which absorbs more moisture than other flours, so it should be used sparingly.

Leavening Agents

• Egg Whites: Instead of baking powder or baking soda, which are typically avoided during Passover, beaten egg whites can be used to introduce lightness and air into your pie.

Dairy Products

• Kosher for Passover Dairy: If your recipe calls for dairy products such as butter or milk, make sure to purchase certified kosher versions for Passover. Non-dairy alternatives must also be certified if you use them.
• Non-Dairy Milk: For those observing more strict dietary laws or for a dairy-free recipe, almond milk or kosher for Passover coconut milk can be used—but make sure they are not processed with any forbidden grains or additives.

Fats

• Kosher for Passover Oils: You’ll need to ensure that any oils you use for cooking the pie, like olive oil or vegetable oil, are certified kosher for Passover since some oils may have additives or be processed in a way unsuitable for the holiday.

Sweeteners

• Honey: While many Ashkenazi Jews avoid legumes and certain sweeteners like corn syrup, honey is usually acceptable and can replace other sweeteners.
• Sugar: Regular granulated sugar is typically kosher for Passover, but do check for certification if you’re looking to adhere strictly to dietary laws.

Seasonings

• Fresh Herbs and Spices: Most fresh herbs are kosher for Passover, but when it comes to dried spices, you need to check that they’re certified since they can sometimes be processed with additives that are not kosher for Passover.

Flavorings

• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract is often not used during Passover because it contains alcohol, which may be grain-derived. However, there are kosher for Passover vanilla sugar or flavorings that can be substituted.

Final Thoughts

This Passover Potato Pie, with its creamy inside and crispy golden top, is more than just a dish; it’s a heartwarming celebration of tradition and family.

More Pie Recipes:

• Homemade Blake’s Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
• Lemon Drop Pie Recipe
• Brisket, Jalapeno and Cheese Pot Pie Recipe
• Fig Pie Recipe