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Different Matzah Balls

A slightly different take on the classic matzah ball.

By

matzah ball soup

Reprinted with permission from Jewish Family & Life!

Sinkers or floaters? That was the question always asked of Grandma Minnie's kneidels [matzah balls] at the first seder. Would her always delicious matzah balls sink to the bottom of her wonderfully rich chicken soup, or would they float delicately over the surface. The answer to the question was never certain; some years they sank with a slightly chewy texture and other years they floated with a melt-in-your-mouth lightness. What causes the difference? It comes from the ratio of eggs to matzah meal and the amount of air whipped into the eggs. Too much oil added to the mix will make them sink, as will removing the cover while they cook.

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I won't guarantee that these will never sink, but they are a bit different and very delicious.

For a more classic approach, try this recipe. We've also got more varieties, like these matzah balls with fresh herbs and spices, healthy matzah balls with no fat or cholesterol, potato matzah balls, and these ones that are especially light and fluffy.
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Pareve
Categories:Appetizer, Ashkenazi, Classics, Eastern European, Holidays,

Ingredients


3/4 cup matzah meal
1/4 cup matzah cake meal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup water plus 1/4 pareve instant chicken broth
4 jumbo eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted margarine
1 teaspoon salt
pinch white pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions


Prep
Cook
Total




Beat the eggs well. Add the water, instant broth, melted margarine or oil, and spices. Beat well. Add the matzah meal, cake meal, and baking powder and mix thoroughly. Chill for one hour.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt. With well oiled hands, make balls about the size of walnuts. Drop the balls into the water, cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.

Matzah Ball Hints


* Use well oiled or wet hands to form the balls. This (usually) ensures a matzah ball with a definite shape that doesn't fall apart.

* Unless otherwise stated, cover the matzah balls as they simmer. DON'T PEEK! Somehow, peeking causes the matzah balls to fall.

* Add some of your favorite herbs or spices to any of these recipes. Some common additions are cayenne pepper, parsley, chopped chives, grated onion, grated garlic, and ground ginger. These all add a delicious flavor to your matzah balls.

Joni Schockett

Joni Schockett is a freelance food writer.

 
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