Step-by-step directions to make chicken soup for Passover or all year ‘round

By Shannon Sarna (The Nosher (www.thenosher.com)

What’s Passover – or any Jewish holiday for that matter – without chicken soup with matzah balls? The most requested meal in my house is undoubtedly chicken soup with matzah balls. Chicken soup is one of the most beloved Jewish foods, and also one of the dishes we at The Nosher get asked about most often. It’s the kind of dish that can be made dozens of ways: with leeks, with turnips, without turnips, with sauteed onions, with whole onions, with just bones, with a whole chicken and even with chicken that has already been roasted.

Here is the recipe that serves 8 – 10 people, that I make time and time again – simple, delicious and infused with love.

Ingredients
For the soup:

6 quarts of cold water
1 small broiler chicken + extra package of wings (around 1 lb)
3 large carrots, peeled, chopped
3 ribs of celery, chopped
1 onion
1 turnip, chopped
2 parsnips, chopped
1 bunch of dill
1 bunch of flat leaf parsley
1/2 tbsp whole peppercorns
Salt to taste

For the matzah balls:
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup vegetable oil (can also substitute half chicken fat)
1/2 cup cold seltzer water
1 1/2 cups matzah meal
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper (optional)
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill (optional)

Place chicken and vegetables in a 16- or 20-quart pot and cover with 6 quarts of water. Make a bouquet garni with the fresh dill, parsley, and peppercorns. Add bouquet garni to pot. Bring pot to boil and let simmer for 1 hour. Remove chicken and vegetables from pot, and remove breast and dark meat from bone. Put bones and other parts back into pot and let simmer another 1-2 hours on low-medium, covered. Allow soup to cool, and place in fridge. Skim the fat off the top (I suggest saving the fat to put it in your matzah balls, or chopped liver). Reheat to serve. Add chicken, matzah balls and desired vegetables.

To make the matzah balls, combine eggs, oil and seltzer in a large bowl. Add matzah meal, salt and any seasoning (if desired) and mix with a fork until just combined. Do not overmix. Place in fridge for 30-60 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Fill a small bowl with cold water and a few ice cubes. Dip hands in ice water and roll matzah balls gently with palms of hand. Dip hands in cold water in between each roll. Cook matzah balls in water covered on high for 35-40 minutes.

Serve matzah balls with chicken soup, chicken, vegetables and fresh herbs.