| The Matzo Ball soup is the Holy Grail of Kosher food. | | | | parsley roots, an optional piece of pumpkin (which you |
| The Matzo Ball, or knaidel/ knaidelach, has been | | | | should add, because pumpkin happens to be |
| around for millennia. It all began when Moses led the | | | | extraordinarily healthy for you and your family), some |
| Jews through the desert. A young boy while | | | | fresh parsley, and spices to taste, with some chicken |
| wandering with some matzo in hand, found a hot | | | | soup powder. Bring them to a boil. |
| spring. He knew that simply dunking the matzo in the | | | | 4. Lower the heat to a simmer. Let it go for two hours, |
| water wouldn't be any good, so he crumbled his matzo | | | | and allow the steam to escape. If the water level dips |
| in his hand and molded it into a ball. He somehow was | | | | below the vegetables, just add some more. |
| able to bind it together - perhaps he had a chicken with | | | | 5. During this time, you can prepare the sacred matzo |
| him at the time, perhaps with divine aid - and when he | | | | balls. Take 4 egg whites, 4 tsp. of water, 4 tsp. of oil, |
| tried his creation, he found a delicious alternative to | | | | tsp. salt, tsp. pepper, 1 cup matzo meal, optional 2 tsp. |
| eating flat matzo. This practice evolved into the | | | | chopped parsley. In a separate bowl take the egg |
| modern matzo ball soup that we know and love today. | | | | yolks and beat them with some water. |
| (Maybe). Everyone knows what matzo ball soup is, it's | | | | 6. Fold the ingredients of each bowl together to form a |
| a kid-friendly kosher meal, and even Gentiles frequently | | | | light dough. Cover and chill for at least half an hour. |
| enjoy it. There are, however, many differing qualities | | | | 7. Strain the soup after two hours have passed. |
| that distinguish good matzo ball soup from bad. So if | | | | 8. Bring the strained soup to a boil. Take the chilled |
| you really want to impress your guests this Passover, | | | | matzo ball dough and stir it up. Get your hands wet |
| or heck, even if you want to change up the pace on | | | | and start rolling little matzo balls. Remember that |
| Sabbath, follow these instructions. | | | | matzo balls expand to about twice their original size |
| 1. To really get that fresh taste, we have to prepare | | | | when cooked, so judge accordingly. Add them to the |
| the poultry. Wash a turkey neck that has been cut into | | | | soup and make sure that they float because you don't |
| pieces, and add one pound of chicken wings. Then | | | | want any sticking to the bottom. |
| place them into a large soup pot, and fill it with water | | | | 9. Cover the pot, and let it simmer, with the addition of |
| until the meat is submerged at the bottom with about | | | | the strained veggies, for half an hour more. |
| two inches of water on top. | | | | That's it! With this recipe, you will surely be able to |
| 2. Bring to a roiling boil. Scrape any froth from the top | | | | wow any crowd, Jew or Gentile. Remember that |
| of the water. | | | | Hasidic Jews follow gebrocht kosher kashrut and do |
| 3. Next it's time to add the veggies. Take 3-4 carrots, | | | | not enjoy matzo meal in water, so an alternative is to |
| 3 zucchinis, 3 celery sticks, 2 small onions, 1-2 small | | | | use potato starch. |