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matzah ball caldo
Photo credit Abby Ricarte

Filipino Matzah Ball Soup

Like a hug from your bubbe.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4-6 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the broth:

  • 4 Tbsp chicken fat (schmaltz)
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
  • 10 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken, cut into about 1-inch pieces
  • 64 oz (8 cups) chicken broth
  • kosher salt or fish sauce *(most fish sauce is not kosher, this ingredient is optional)

For the matzah balls:

  • ½ cup of matzah meal
  • 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 Tbsp of chicken fat/schmaltz
  • kosher salt

For serving (optional):

  • lemon or calamansi wedges
  • fried garlic
  • soft boiled egg
  • thinly sliced green onions

Instructions

  1. To make the broth: In a large Dutch oven pot on medium heat add schmaltz. Add garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in chicken and cook just until the outer rawness appears cooked, about 2 minutes. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Add chicken broth and cover.
  3. Simmer on medium-low heat for about 20-30 minutes. Add fish sauce or salt to taste. (Most fish sauce is not kosher, so you can substitute with extra salt to your liking).
  4. To make the matzah balls: In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, schmaltz, green onions, ginger, matzah meal and a generous pinch of kosher salt.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  5. After 30 minutes, use a 1-inch ice cream scoop to scoop dough. Hand roll into balls. Place back in the fridge while you wait for your water to boil.
  6. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add matzah balls to the pot, leaving some space in between the balls. Lower heat to medium low and cover. Simmer for 30 minutes.
  7. To serve: Ladle soup into a bowl and add 1-2 matzah balls.  Squeeze a wedge of lemon or calamansi into the soup.
  8. Optional step: Thinly slice garlic cloves and fry in oil until golden brown. Top soup with the fried garlic, soft boiled egg, and green onions if desired.
  • Author: Abby Ricarte
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 90 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Filipino