Matzoh Balls Knaidlach Recipes

BEST MATZAH BALLS

Steps:

• Whisk eggs and olive oil in a bowl until combined; stir both amounts of club soda and salt into egg mixture. Mix matzo meal into wet ingredients to form a workable dough; if mixture is too wet, stir in 1/4 cup more matzo meal. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Wet your hands and form matzo ball dough into walnut-size balls. Gently place matzo balls into boiling water. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer matzo balls until tender, 25 to 30 minutes.

CHICKEN KNEIDLACH (CHICKEN MATZO BALLS)

Steps:

• Combine the ground chicken, egg whites, egg yolks, matzo meal, cold water and sugar in a large bowl.
• The best way to get it all mixed up is to use your (clean) hands.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Chill, covered, for 15 minutes.
• Fill a large pot with water (I use a 9 quart pot with about 8 quarts of water in it to cook all the kneidlach at once).
• Bring the water to a rolling boil.
• If you like, you can toss a bouillon cube into the pot for flavoring, or add any spices you might like.
• I usually toss in some paprika and salt.
• Remove the bowl from the fridge.
• Wet your hands with water.
• Form the knedilach mixture into 36 balls about 1 1/2 inch in diameter.
• Always make sure your hands are wet so the dough doesn't stick.
• Drop the kneidlach into the boiling water.
• Half cover the pot and turn the flame down so the kneidlach are simmering in the water.
• Let them simmer for about 45 minutes.
• Turn off the heat.
• With a slotted spoon, remove the kneidlach.
• They are now ready to be added to your soup.

MATZA BALLS OR SOUP DUMPLINGS (KNAIDLACH)

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl combine and beat till fluffy the eggs chicken stock or vegetable stock or soda water and salt. Fold in the Matza Meal, parsley and ginger.
• Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour. Stir, then shape with moistened hands into 8 large (or 16 small) balls or oval shapes, using a rounded tablespoons of mixture, or less if you like them small.
• Drop into boiling salted water. Cover and simmer 45 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and transfer to soup.
• NOTES:.
• *While Matza Meal resembles other dried crumbs, many use it year around for its special quality of swelling as it on absorbs moisture.
• To increase fiber content, use whole wheat, or wheat bran Matza, finely crushed.
• If you are not fussy about clouded chicken soup, cook Knaidlach directly in soup.
• To Life!

KNAIDLACH

Steps:

• Beat the eggs lightly with cold water. Add the chicken fat and stir until the fat dissolves. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper.
• Gradually beat in the matzoh meal, 2 tablespoons at a time, proceeding slowly as it thickens so you do not add too much. The mixture should be as thick as light mashed potatoes, and just a little soft and spongy. Add salt and pepper as needed. Chill for 5 to 7 hours.
• Half an hour before serving time, bring 2 1/2 to 3 quarts of water to a boil. Add a handful of salt, as for pasta.
• With wet hands, or two tablespoons dipped intermittently in cold water, shape the mixture into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Drop gently into the boiling water, cover pot loosely, and let boil at a moderately brisk pace for about 25 minutes.
• When one ball tests done (cut it open and see if it is light and cooked all the way through), remove all carefully with a slotted spoon. Serve in hot chicken soup.
• Variation:
• To make fried matzoh balls, chill the cooked balls overnight. In the morning, cut into slices between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick and fry slowly in hot butter or margarine, turning so both sides become golden brown and the slices are thoroughly heated.