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Matzo Ball Soup with Dill-Horseradish Pistou

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 From 3 ratings.

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rating kalenation
rating kalenation
rating adorah
I also made this soup (with the Kugel) last night and it was amazing!  I also made my own chicken broth and used the chicken to add to the soup.  Everyone said it was the best gourmet matzah ball soup they ever had!  The pitou was a great new fresh idea!

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Matzo Ball Soup with Dill-Horseradish Pistou

  • healthy HEALTHY
  • staff favorite STAFF FAVORITE
ACTIVE TIME: 1 HR
TOTAL TIME: 3 HRS 15 MIN
SERVES: 10
Instead of sprinkling his soup with the customary bits of chopped fresh dill, Adam Perry Lang makes a vibrant horseradish and dill pistou (typically a condiment of fresh basil, garlic and olive oil). A swirl of the flavorful pistou brightens up the soup enormously.
ingredients

MATZO BALLS

  • 8 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup seltzer or club soda
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 cups matzo meal (10 ounces)

PISTOU AND SOUP

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped dill
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated fresh horseradish
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1 medium turnip, peeled and finely diced
  • 1 celery rib, finely diced
  • 1 large carrot, finely diced
  • 5 quarts chicken stock, preferably homemade
  • 8 cups diced chicken (3/4 inch), from two 3 1/2-pound chickens
directions
  1. Make the Matzo Balls: In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the olive oil, seltzer, salt, white pepper and ginger. Add the matzo meal and stir until moistened. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
  2. Line 2 baking sheets with wax paper. Scoop the matzo meal mixture into fifty 1-inch balls. Using lightly moistened hands, roll the matzo balls until smooth. Transfer to the baking sheets and refrigerate the matzo balls briefly.
  3. Meanwhile, Make the Pistou: In a blender or food processor, pulse the olive oil with the dill, fresh horseradish, garlic, salt and white pepper until the dill is finely chopped and a sauce has formed.
  4. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the turnip, celery and carrot and cook the vegetables until they are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and refresh under cold water.
  5. In a large pot of boiling salted water, simmer the matzo balls over very low heat, covered, until they are plump and cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, in another large pot, heat the stock with the vegetables. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the matzo balls to the soup; simmer for 5 minutes. Add the chicken and cook until heated through. Serve the soup in bowls with a dollop of the dill pistou.

MAKE AHEAD The recipe can be prepared through Step 3; refrigerate overnight.

WINE Sauvignon Blanc’s bright, gooseberry-inflected zestiness is a good match for this light but flavorful soup. Some of the best Sauvignons come from New Zealand’s Marlborough region, especially in the top-quality 2006 vintage; for a kosher choice, check out the aromatic 2006 Goose Bay.