Last week I made some beautiful rich chicken stock that I put up in
the freezer. I also froze some of the chicken that I had from making
the stock. I consider this the perfect beginning for some matzo ball
soup. This is the first time I've ever made, or tasted for that
matter, matzo balls.
I followed the recipe on the Manischewitz matzo meal can. The can
states that matzo meal it is the perfect substitute for bread crumbs,
coool beans.
I've been reading a little about matzo balls and there seems to be two
different schools of thought regarding them. One says sinkers are the
best, while others swear the floaters are the best. Either way, I
figured I couldn't loose. If I wanted floaters but ended up with
sinkers I could claim sinkers were my goal. Some also claim using club
soda instead of the broth produces a lighter matzo ball, and most
agree that adding schmaltz is a must. I have no schmaltz on hand, at
least not now. For my first venture into matzo balls I stayed true to
the recipe.
The ingredients assembled are matzo meal, salt, eggs, oil and chicken
stock.
http://i32.tinypic.com/fuup2q.jpg
Mixed it all up really good, no lumps and covered and put in the
fridge for 15 minutes.
http://i29.tinypic.com/2ujgqc0.jpg
I made walnut sized balls using wet hands and placed them in gently
boiling water, then covered and cooked for 30 to 40 minutes. Look ma,
no sinkers.
http://i28.tinypic.com/2gtuedh.jpg
After 30 minutes took one matzo ball out and placed in cold water,
according to directions.
http://i27.tinypic.com/o7radv.jpg
I didn't have a clue as to how to check it for "doneness" I figured if
the center wasn't gooey and the texture was the same throughout it was
fine.
http://i32.tinypic.com/2dtro6p.jpg
Looked good to me so the rest of the matzo balls came out and got the
same cool water treatment. Dang, they sure swell up while cooking, I
started with walnut sized pieces.
http://i30.tinypic.com/a4laur.jpg
I added some carrots, celery, onion and mushrooms to the chicken stock
and chicken that I started with and had a delicious matzo ball soup.
http://i28.tinypic.com/33bnuj7.jpg
koko
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updated 2/24
"There is no love more sincere than the love of food"
George Bernard Shaw