Almond And Ginger Matzo Balls Recipes

JOAN NATHAN'S MATZO BALL SOUP

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the eggs, schmaltz, stock, matzo meal, nutmeg, ginger and parsley. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Gently mix with a whisk or spoon. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours or overnight.
• To shape and cook the matzo balls, fill a wide, deep pan with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. With wet hands, take some of the mix and mold it into the size and shape of a Ping-Pong ball. Gently drop it into the boiling water, repeating until all the mix is used.
• Cover the pan, reduce heat to a lively simmer and cook matzo balls about 30 to 40 minutes for al dente, longer for light. If desired, the cooked matzo balls can be transferred to chicken or vegetable soup and served immediately. Alternatively, they may be placed on a baking sheet and frozen, then transferred to a freezer bag and kept frozen until a few hours before serving; reheat in chicken or vegetable soup or broth.

ALMOND AND GINGER MATZO BALLS

Steps:

• Place margarine in medium bowl.
• Blend almonds, salt, sugar, ginger and pepper in food processor until nuts are finely chopped; mix into margarine.
• Whisk in eggs and ginger ale; stir in matzo meal.
• Cover and chill 1 day.
• Bring large pot of salted water to boil; add fresh ginger.
• Drop batter onto sheet of foil in 16 equal mounds.
• Using wet hands, shape mounds into smooth balls and drop into boiling water.
• Cover pot tightly.
• Reduce heat to medium.
• Cook matzo balls until very tender throughout, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer matzo balls in single layer to 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish.
• *Can be made 2 days ahead.
• Cover and refrigerate.
• Rewarm by steaming for 20 minutes on vegetable steamer rack over boiling water.

SPICED CARROT AND SWEET POTATO SOUP WITH ALMOND AND GINGER MATZO

Steps:

• Melt margarine in heavy large pot over medium-high heat.
• Add carrots, onion and sweet potato.
• Saute until onion is translucent, about 8 minutes.
• Add 2 3/4 teaspoons cumin, paprika, cayenne and cinnamon; stir 1 minute.
• Add 8 cups broth and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until carrots are very tender, about 30 minutes.
• Puree soup in small batches in blender until smooth.
• Return to same pot.
• Mix in remaining 1/2 teaspoon cumin.
• Thin soup with all or part of remaining 1 cup broth.
• Season soup to taste with salt and pepper.
• Refrigerate until cold; then cover and keep refrigerated at least 1 day and up to 3 days.
• Rewarm soup over medium heat and ladle into bowls; add matzo balls and sprinkle with cilantro.

MURIEL'S CHICKEN SOUP WITH ALMOND MATZO BALLS

Steps:

• Make matzo balls:
• Beat together eggs and oil in a bowl. Add matzo meal, almonds, dill, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and 1/3 cup stock, stirring until blended. Cover surface of mixture with plastic wrap and chill at least 2 hours.
• Shape and cook matzo balls:
• Bring a 6-quart pot of salted water to a simmer.
• Roll matzo mixture into 1-inch balls (about 25) with dampened hands and transfer to an oiled plate.
• Cook matzo balls in simmering water, covered, until cooked through, about 40 minutes. To test for doneness, halve a matzo ball: It should have a moist, uniform texture (if it's not quite ready, there will be a dry, yellowish center).
• While matzo balls are cooking, bring remaining 6 cups stock to a simmer and season with salt and pepper. Transfer matzo balls with a slotted spoon to broth and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Serve hot.

GOOSE-MATZO BALLS WITH DRIED GINGER AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Crumble matzos, mix in other ingredients slowly, rolling dough into squash-ballsize balls. Place in salted, boiling water with salted goose meat and vegetables.

LEEK AND GINGER MATZO BALLS IN LEMONGRASS CONSOMMé

Steps:

• For consommé:
• Place chicken in extra-large pot. Add next 7 ingredients, then enough cold water to cover (about 18 cups). Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer soup 2 hours, skimming impurities from surface. Let stand 30 minutes. Strain consommé into large saucepan. Boil until reduced to 8 cups, if necessary. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled (fat will form solid layer on top).
• For matzo balls:
• Whisk 4 eggs in medium bowl. Mix in leek, chicken fat, broth, coarse salt, ginger, and pepper. Stir in matzo meal. Cover; chill at least 4 hours.
• Using wet hands, shape generous 2 tablespoons matzo mixture into balls. Place on sheet of foil. Bring large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Drop in matzo balls; cover pot. Reduce heat to low; simmer until matzo balls are cooked through, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer matzo balls in single layer to shallow dish. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Rewarm consommé. Add more lemon juice by teaspoonfuls, if desired. Add matzo balls; simmer to reheat, 5 to 10 minutes. Divide matzo balls and consommé among 6 bowls. Garnish with chopped chives.
• What to drink:
• A fragrant white wine would be great with the consommé. We like the Yarden 2007 Gewürztraminer, a kosher wine made in Israel ($18).

GREEN ONION-DILL MATZO BALLS

Steps:

• Melt chicken fat in small skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and sauté 30 seconds. Set aside. Whisk eggs and all remaining ingredients in medium bowl to blend well. Stir in onion mixture. Cover; chill at least 6 hours and up to 1 day.
• Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Drop matzo ball mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls onto foil, forming 16 mounds. Using wet hands, shape into balls; drop into pot. Cover; boil matzo balls until very tender, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Transfer matzo balls to shallow dish. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Steam 15 minutes to rewarm.)