MAIN COURSES
Matzo Ball Soup
Personal Note
“This recipe was passed down from my late grandmother. Even when my family can’t gather, we all make the soup, share photos in our group chat, and stay connected through tradition.” —Jocelyn Kessler
👩🎓 Submitted by Jocelyn Kessler, Class of 2028
🎓 Intended Majors: Art and Environmental Studies | Considering the Food Pathway
📍 Home Country: United States
🍽 Serves: 15
🕒 Prep Time: 45 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 3 hours
🌱 Dietary Info: Nut-Free, Dairy-Free
Ingredients
Matzo Balls:
- 3 boxes Streit’s Matzo Ball Mix (or 6 boxes Matzo Ball & Soup Mix)
- 12 eggs
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- Water for boiling
Egg Noodles:
- 12 eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- Butter for frying
Chicken & Broth:
- 2 tbsp salt
- 2 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts
- 6 chicken legs
- 6–8 cups water
- 1 whole onion
- ½ head garlic
- ½ celery stalk (or a full small one)
- ½ packet parsley
- 6 peeled carrots
- 2 parsnips
- 1 package dill
Instructions
Matzo Balls:
- Mix matzo ball mix, eggs, and oil until it reaches mashed potato-like consistency. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Boil water in a large pot. Form gentle, small balls (don’t squeeze), and drop them into boiling water.
- Cover and simmer for 2 hours without stirring.
Egg Noodles:
- Mix eggs and salt. Test fry a small bit to check for salt and pan stickiness.
- Cook thin layers in a buttered pan, flipping carefully. Stack and slice into long noodles.
Chicken & Broth:
- Boil water with onion, garlic, and salt. Add chicken and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add chopped carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, and dill. Simmer for another hour on low.
- Shred cooled chicken. Blend cooked carrots into a mince.
- Strain broth and return to pot. Add shredded chicken and carrot purée.
- Transfer matzo balls into the soup and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Serve with dill, egg noodles, and black pepper.
Cultural Context
Matzo ball soup is traditionally served during Passover to honor the Jewish people’s exodus from Egypt. It’s both a symbol of resilience and a celebration of togetherness—especially during the seder.
Unique Twist
Jocelyn’s family blends the carrots into the broth instead of discarding them—sneaking in extra nutrients while preserving that golden, flavorful richness.