Homemade Matzoh Balls

Information

Notes

This is the matzoh ball recipe I make at home for my family and at the restaurant for staff meals. Sometimes I cheat a bit by adding just a little baking powder to the mixture to make it lighter and airier, but, of course, you wouldn’t do this if the matzoh balls were to be served during Passover. I once transformed these simple little dumplings into an unexpected and luxurious treat on the menu at Chanterelle, adding lots of chopped black truffles to the mixture and forming elegant miniature matzoh balls to set afloat in cups of chicken consommé. To make this fancier version for a special occasion, just add as much chopped black truffle as you can afford to this recipe.

Directions

1. Combine the egg yolks and chicken fat in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until thickened. Add ½ cup warm chicken stock and continue beating. Mix in the matzoh meal, baking powder (if desired), onion, herbs, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

2. In a medium-size bowl using clean beaters, beat the egg whites with the mixer at medium-high speed until they reach soft peaks. Using a rubber spatula, fold the whites gently but thoroughly into the matzoh mixture, then refrigerate, covered, for 1 hour.

3. Place the chicken stock in a large stockpot and bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat.

4. Use your hands to roll the matzoh mixture into balls slightly smaller than a Ping-Pong ball (matzoh balls expand as they cook). When the stock is boiling, reduce the heat and carefully lower the matzoh balls into the liquid. Poach the matzoh balls in the simmering stock until they float to the surface, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove them from the stock and keep warm until you’re ready to serve. If you’re making them a day in advance, transfer the matzoh balls to a storage container and refrigerate, covered, until you’re ready to reheat them in the soup.