Simple Avgolemono Recipes

THE TRADITIONAL EGG-LEMON SAUCE (GREEK AVGOLEMONO) RECIPE

Steps:

• To prepare the classic Avgolemono recipe, start by cracking the eggs into a bowl and whisk well.
• Gradually add the lemon juice and whisk again to combine.
• Add a little of the warm stock or soup and whisk quickly, add more and whisk again. The reason for slowly adding the broth is to gradually warm up the eggs so you don't end up with an omelette instead of a sauce!
• Pour gradually the egg mixture back into the pot, whilst constantly stirring and bring just below boiling point. Remove the pan from the stove and serve.

AVGOLEMONO

Steps:

• Bring broth to a simmer in a 4-quart pot over high heat; add chicken. Reduce heat; simmer gently until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken to a bowl. Reserve broth in pot. Let chicken cool slightly, and then shred with a fork into bite-size pieces.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add orzo; cook until al dente. Drain. Add orzo and chicken to reserved broth. Bring broth just to a gentle simmer, and then reduce heat to low.
• Beat together eggs and lemon juice in a medium bowl until smooth. Ladle 1 cup hot broth into egg-lemon mixture, whisking constantly until mixture is warm to the touch. Stir the egg-broth mixture into the broth in the pot. Stir in the dill, and season with pepper.

AVGOLEMONO

Steps:

• Place the chicken, bay leaf and broth in a large pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer 1 1/2 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and let it cool.
• Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Clean out any scum in the bottom of the pot and add the broth back to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then add the orzo and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Check for seasoning here, as you may need to add a few teaspoons salt.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon zest and juice and the flour. Whisk the eggs into the lemon mixture. Pour a little of the simmering broth slowly over the egg mixture and whisk it together. Reduce the heat under the broth to low and whisk in the egg mixture. The soup will thicken slightly and become cloudy. Make sure you don't bring the soup to a rolling boil after you add the eggs. Your eggs will scramble, which will leave you with more of an egg drop soup (which would still be fantastic, but just not the same).
• Chop up the chicken, removing the skin and bones, and add it to the soup along with the dill. Serve immediately.

AVGOLEMONO

Steps:

• Whisk the eggs in a bowl, then run them through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any stray shells.
• Combine the 12 cups chicken broth and the lemon juice in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat and hold at a simmer.
• Temper the eggs by gradually whisking broth into the eggs, one ladleful at a time. When you have added about a quarter of the broth, stir the mixture back into the pot. Cook at a low simmer, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. (Be careful not to let the soup boil or the eggs will overcook and ruin it.) Stir in the salt and white pepper and strain the soup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
• In a small saucepan, combine the shredded chicken and the 1/2 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer to warm the chicken, then strain off the broth. Divide the chicken and orzo among six bowls; add 1 teaspoon of the chopped dill to each bowl. Ladle the soup into the bowls and serve immediately.

AVGOLEMONO

Steps:

• In a stainless steel bowl, whip the egg yolks with a pinch of salt.
• In a separate stainless steel bowl fitted for a double boiler, whip the egg whites with a pinch of salt until fluffy. Fold the yolks into the whites, blending well.
• Bring a saucepan or the bottom of a double boiler filled with water to a simmer.
• In a small bowl, blend the cornstarch into the lemon juice and whisk into the egg mixture. Put the bowl over the pot of simmering water, whisking constantly. In about 4 minutes, the mixture will lighten in color and the sauce will thicken. Gradually add the reserved cup of hot chicken stock to the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Continue cooking and whisking 2 minutes longer, until the avgolemono thickens. Keep warm if necessary in the double boiler, off the heat. Add to the chicken soup right before serving.

EASY AVGOLEMONO SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring broth to a boil.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, then add the lemon juice and whisk until frothy.
• While continuing to whisk, pour half the boiling broth into the eggs in a small stream, whisking vigorously and continually so that the eggs don't cook.
• Return the broth to the flame and pour the tempered eggs into the remaining broth, whisking the whole time. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, but NEVER LET THE SAUCE BOIL. This will take about five minutes.
• Serve immediately. This sauce doesn't reheat well.