Description
A comforting classic with a bold twist this spicy matzo ball soup combines the warmth of traditional flavors with a delightful kick of heat. Perfect for cozy nights or impressing guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup matzo meal
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup chicken fat or vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes (or to taste)
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- Optional: 1 cup spinach or kale, chopped
- Optional: 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine matzo meal, eggs, chicken fat or oil, water or broth, salt, baking powder, black pepper, and chili flakes. Mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- While the mixture chills, slice the carrots, chop the celery, dice the onion, and mince the garlic.
- In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Add carrots, celery, onion, garlic, smoked paprika, and bay leaf. Simmer for 10 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Wet hands and form matzo mixture into walnut-sized balls. Gently drop them into the simmering broth. Cover and cook for 30–40 minutes until the balls are fully cooked and expanded.
- If using, add cooked chicken, spinach or kale, and stir in hot sauce or cumin as desired. Simmer 5 more minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf, season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir in fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Chill the matzo mixture to ensure light texture. Adjust chili flakes to your spice level. Use fresh herbs and veggies for the best flavor. Avoid boiling the soup to keep matzo balls tender.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Jewish Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: spicy matzo ball soup, Jewish soup, comfort food, matzo balls, spicy broth