Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls

This is a must-have dish at many American seders. Prepare the broth a day ahead so it's easier to skim the fat. You can assemble the matzo balls up to a day ahead, too.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 cup soup and 2 matzo balls)

Ingredients

• Broth:
• 1  quart fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1  quart water
• 6  chicken leg quarters (about 5 1/4 pounds)
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh dill
• 2  celery stalks, halved lengthwise
• 2  carrots, halved lengthwise
• 1  large onion, peeled and quartered
• 1  parsnip, halved lengthwise
• 
  Matzo Balls:
• 1 1/2  cups  matzo meal
• 1 1/4  cups  egg substitute
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh parsley
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh dill
• 3  tablespoons  canola oil
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground ginger
• 1/8  teaspoon  freshly grated nutmeg
• 
  Remaining ingredients:
• 4  cups  finely chopped zucchini (about 1 pound)
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1/2  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh dill

Preparation

1. To prepare broth, combine first 3 ingredients in a large stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 2 hours. Add 2 tablespoons parsley and next 5 ingredients (through parsnip) to pan; simmer 1 hour. Strain broth through a sieve into a large bowl. Reserve 2 carrot halves; thinly slice, and set aside. Discard remaining solids. Cover and chill broth overnight. Skim solidified fat from surface; discard.

2. To prepare matzo balls, combine matzo meal and next 7 ingredients (through grated nutmeg) in a large bowl; cover and chill 4 hours or overnight. Lightly coat hands with water. Roll matzo mixture evenly into 16 balls. Gently drop balls into simmering water, and cook 20 minutes or until done (matzo balls will rise to surface). Remove from water with a slotted spoon.

3. Transfer broth to a large Dutch oven. Add zucchini, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and reserved carrot to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until reduced to 8 cups (about 5 minutes). Add cooked matzo balls to pan; cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon dill.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

153 (38% from fat)

Fat:

6.5g (sat 0.7g,mono 3.5g,poly 1.8g)

Protein:

9.1g

Carbohydrate:

15.7g

Fiber:

1.6g

Cholesterol:

9mg

Iron:

1.7mg

Sodium:

597mg

Calcium:

31mg