Passover is the Jewish festival that honors freedom by commemorating the exodus of the Hebrew slaves from ancient Egypt. The signature food is matzo, an unleavened cracker-like bread that replaces leavened bread. Also known as the festival of spring, the eight-day holiday this year begins at sundown on March 27.

Undoubtedly, Matzo brei, or fried matzo with eggs, began as a Passover dish, but it has become a brunch standard in many homes throughout the year. The time-honored ways to serve it are sprinkled with sugar or topped with jam or applesauce. But if you'd like to pour on maple syrup, why not?

Here's the recipe for Matzo Brei:

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Yield: 3 to 4 servings

Ingredients and Directions:

4 matzos

4 eggs, or 2 eggs and 3 egg whites

3 tablespoons milk (optional)

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 to 4 tablespoons butter, margarine, or vegetable oil

1. Put matzos in a large shallow bowl and cover with cold water. Let them soak for 5 minutes. Drain off water. Break each into about 8 pieces and put in a medium bowl.

2. In a small bowl, beat the eggs with milk and salt. Pour mixture over matzos. Stir until matzo pieces are coated.

3. Melt butter in a heavy, medium, or large skillet, preferably a nonstick one. Add matzo mixture. Cook it over medium-low heat, without stirring, until eggs begin to set, about 4 minutes. Then stir very lightly, turning the mixture over in pieces, so that it is lightly scrambled but remains in fairly large pieces. As soon as it is set to your taste, remove from heat and serve.