Recipe: <i>Haroset</i>, apple and matzo kugel

Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Servings: 6

Note: Silan, which is sometimes labeled date syrup or date molasses, can be purchased at kosher or Middle Eastern markets.

3 matzos

1 cup water

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (3 ounces) butter or margarine, divided

2 sweet apples, such as Fuji (about 12 ounces)

4 eggs

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 to 3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar, divided

3/4 cup (packed) haroset with Bible land fruits (about 6 ounces)

2 teaspoons grated orange zest

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided

About ½ cup silan or 2/3 cup haroset sauce (optional)

Walnut pieces or coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 2-quart casserole.

2. Break the matzos into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch square) and put them in a large bowl. Add the water and let the matzos stand, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.

3. Melt ¼ cup (2 ounces) of the butter in a small saucepan over low heat or in a small bowl in the microwave, then set aside to cool. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in 16 pieces.

4. Peel the apples and halve them. Cut each half lengthwise in three, and slice them crosswise as thin as possible.

5. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the salt and 2 or 3 tablespoons of the sugar, depending on how sweet you would like the kugel. Add the haroset and whisk until it is blended in. Whisk in the grated orange zest and one-half teaspoon of the cinnamon. Stir in the apple pieces.

6. If there is any water left in the bowl of matzos, drain it. Stir the matzo pieces and the melted butter into the kugel mixture. Spoon the mixture into the casserole dish.

7. Mix the remaining 2 teaspoons sugar with the remaining one-half teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the kugel. Dot the kugel evenly with the pieces of butter.

8. Cover the kugel and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking the kugel until it is browned and firm, about 10 minutes. Serve it warm. If you like, spoon a little silan or haroset sauce next to each serving and top the syrup or sauce with walnut pieces.

Each serving: 386 calories; 9 grams protein; 41 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams fiber; 22 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 154 mg cholesterol; 23 grams sugar; 148 mg sodium.