Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls
- 1 (4 to 5) pound chicken
- 2 to 3 quarts water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 parsnip
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 carrots
- 3 stalks celery
- 3 parsley sprigs
- 1 dill sprig
- Skin of 1/2 chicken (to render 1/4 cup fat)
- 1 onion, cut in half
- 4 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup matzo meal
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon seltzer
- 1 tablespoon chicken broth
- Place chicken in water and season with salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil.
- Skim fat that rises to top with large spoon.
- Repeat 2 more times or as needed.
- Add vegetables and herbs.
- Cover and let simmer for 3 hours.
- Place chicken skin and onion in a saute pan over low heat.
- Render fat out of chicken skin.
- Strain and reserve fat.
- Discard solids.
- (Fat can be refrigerated up to 1 week).
- Lightly beat eggs then add chicken fat.
- Stir in matzo meal.
- Season with salt and pepper and mix well.
- Add seltzer and chicken broth.
- Stir in, but don't overwork batter, as that will cause tough and chewy matzo balls.
- Cover mixture and refrigerate 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Form into 2-inch balls.
- Drop softly with slotted spoon into chicken soup or salted water.
- Bring to boil.
- Cook 30 to 40 minutes, covered tightly (no peeking.)
- Serve in strained chicken soup or broth.
- Yield: 8 balls
chicken, water, salt, parsnip, onion, carrots, stalks celery, parsley, dill, chicken, onion, eggs, matzo meal, salt, pepper, seltzer, chicken broth
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/chicken-soup-with-matzo-balls-recipe.html (may not work)