Never Fail Knaidlach Matzo Balls Recipes

MATZO BALLS

Steps:

• Whisk together the egg yolks, chicken stock, chicken fat, parsley, and salt. Stir in the matzo meal. In the bowl of an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they are stiff. Whisk them into the matzo mixture until it is smooth. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or until the mixture is thick.
• Form balls the size of golf balls by shaping them with 2 spoons, rolling them with your hands, or scooping them with a small ice cream scoop. Drop them into simmering chicken stock and cook for 30 minutes, or until fully cooked and puffed, turning once. Remove and serve hot in chicken soup.

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.

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.

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.