Baked Matzo Pudding with Cherry-Almond Sauce

10 sheets of matzo, broken into small pieces
1 T walnut oil
2 cups almond milk (don't use unsweetened varieties)
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1/2 cup plus 2 T light brown sugar, loosely packed
11/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
11/2 cups dried cherries
1/3 cup matzo meal
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 cups black cherry juice
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 T potato starch mixed with 2 T water

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 11-by-13-inch glass baking dish with vegetable oil or olive oil.

In a large bowl, soak the matzo pieces in cold water for 5 minutes. Drain in a colander, pressing out as much excess water as possible. Return the softened matzo to the bowl and add the walnut oil. Toss to coat, then set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk, eggs and egg whites.

In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.

Add the almond milk mixture and to the softened matzo; stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup of the brown sugar mixture (reserve the remaining few tablespoons) and the dried cherries. Stir to combine.

Stir in the matzo meal, then spread the mixture in an even layer in the prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle the top with the reserved brown sugar mixture and slivered almonds. Bake until golden-brown on top and no longer wet at the center, 50 to 60 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium-high, bring the cherry juice and almond extract to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and stir in the potato starch mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened, about another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Serve the matzo pudding, warm from the oven, room temperature or cold, topped with the cherry-almond sauce.
Makes 12 servings

Cooking time: 1 hour 15 minutes (15 minutes active)

Per serving: 307 calories, 48 calories from fat, 5 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 0 trans fats), 43 milligrams cholesterol, 56 grams carbohydrate, 8 grams protein, 6 grams fiber, 173 milligrams sodium