As a little girl, I remember our neighbor, who we called “Nana Louise.” She would start her preparation for Passover weeks before the actual date.
She would cook her chicken, save the fats, and always - with lots of hand gestures - explain to me about the chicken fat or “schmaltz,” as she called it. I just loved the way Nana Louise said that in her thick Boston accent.
She would spend hours chopping her veggies, making her “matzo balls” and simmering her broth. Fast forward 30 years, and you can buy matzo in a box, chicken broth in a can, and even pre-chopped veggies if you want. Those shortcuts make this soup easy to make.
I hope the smell and taste of this soup, and imagining Nana Louise’s voice, will warm your heart, just as it does mine.
Not familiar with matzah?
It’s a thin, unleavened bread eaten during Passover to commemorate the Jewish exodus from Egypt. Matzah ball soup is made with matzah meal, ground from matzah.
Simple Matzo Ball Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg. (4.5 oz) matzo ball mix - sold in most supermarkets with kosher foods
- 5 eggs
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 4 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 tbsp. chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp. chopped dill
- 1 tbsp. black pepper
- 1 tbsp. salt
Directions:
- Prepare the matzo ball mix according to the package directions. For most packages, mix the matzo meal with 5 beaten eggs and ¾ cup oil. Stir - I use a wooden spoon. Cover the meal and put in the fridge for 20 min.
- Boil a large pot of water and add the salt. Wet your hand and carefully form the matzo ball mix into 1.5-inch balls. Gently drop them into the boiling water. Put the lid on the pot and let cook for 20-25 minutes on medium.
- In a separate pot, bring the broth to a boil. Add the celery and carrots and cook for about 10 minutes. Once the matzo balls are done, add them to the pot of broth. Stir in the dill and parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve soup with veggies and a few matzo balls.
 photovs from Getty Images via Canva |
More Passover articles you will enjoy:
- Passover: Why Is This Night Different From All Others?
- 9 Ways to Make Passover Fun and Meaningful for Your Family
- What Is Passover? Learn All About This Important Jewish Holiday
- The Passover Seder Plate - Learn What it is and How to Set One
- Great Grandma Dora's Matzah Ball Soup - Just in Time for Passover
- Passover Muffins for the Matzah-Weary that Your Family Will Enjoy!
- Make Some Yummy Passover Candy . . . Chocolate-Covered Toffee Matzah
- Passover Recipes - Macaroni KID Favorites
Shopping for Kosher foods, Jewish items and gifts:
- Conejo Kosher Market: New Kosher Grocery Store in Agoura Hills
- J-Home Malibu: Spiritual and unique Judaica home goods and more.
- Shalom House: Fine Judaica since 1971, located in Woodland Hills
Want more seasonal traditions, recipes, and family fun? Subscribe to Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas — it’s free and just for local families like yours!
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