Recipe: Chicken Soup with Shallot-Shiitake Matzo Balls

updated Feb 3, 2020

Serves6 to 8

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Around the World in 30 Soups: This month we’re collaborating with chefs, cookbook authors, and our own Kitchn crew to share a globetrotting adventure in soups from countries and cuisines around the world. Today’s stop: Israel.

Yes, matzo technically rose out of Egypt (playful pun intended) when the Jews had to flee last-minute and their bread didn’t have time to rise. And yes, there are about as many different recipes for matzo ball soup — all over the world — as there are bubbies. But with a vast majority of the Jewish population living in Israel, this assignment made the most sense to us. (It was here or New York City!) For a fresh take on the Jewish classic we turned to Leah Koenig, the author of many wonderful cookbooks and a favorite voice here at Kitchn (remember her summer Shabbat dinner?). This soup is all the comfort you crave.

I’m all for getting creative in the kitchen, but sometimes, you just don’t want to mess around with a classic. Take chicken soup. Whether you call it “goldene yoich” (golden broth in Yiddish), “Jewish Penicillin,” or just plain old soup, not much can top the basic, soul-satisfying combination of tender chicken, carrots, celery, and onions swimming in soothing broth.

But you can bring a touch (just a touch!) of something new to the classics, like with these savory, intensely delicious shallot-shiitake matzo balls.

(Image credit: Faith Durand)

People tend to get a little particular about what foods they expect to see on the Passover table. So when the holiday rolls around, I make sure to give my friends and family what they want: pure, unadulterated, intoxicatingly fragrant chicken soup. When it comes to the matzo balls, however, I feel much more comfortable experimenting. Made from little more than eggs, matzo meal, and a little seltzer for lift, they make the perfect blank canvas for adding flavor.

I will often chop a bunch of springy herbs, like parsley or dill, and fold them into the matzo ball batter. But this year, I had mushrooms on the brain — particularly a handful of beautiful shiitakes I spotted at my local food co-op.

Working on a whim, I softened some shallots in oil, then added the mushrooms (which I chopped very fine), followed by some dried thyme to heighten the flavor. I stirred that whole mixture into the matzo balls before dropping them into a simmering pot of water to cook.

(Image credit: Faith Durand)

Biting into a “tester,” I was delighted to find that the mushroom’s earthy flavor came through without overpowering the matzo balls. They were also beautifully speckled, like the savory equivalent of chocolate chip ice cream. Swimming in a bowl of classic chicken soup, they added just the right amount of excitement to my favorite Passover dish.

(Image credit: Faith Durand)

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Serves 6 to 8

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

1 (3 - to 3 1/2-pound)
whole chicken
3
large carrots, peeled and cut in half
3 stalks
celery with leaves, cut in half
2
medium yellow onions, peeled and halved lengthwise through the root
1
bay leaf
4 cloves
garlic, peeled and smashed
1/4 cup
loosely packed fresh parsley (with stems), plus more chopped fresh parsley leaves for serving
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

For the matzo balls (makes 16 to 18 balls):

4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2
medium shallots, finely chopped
Kosher salt
4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
4
large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup matzo meal
3 tablespoons
club soda or seltzer water
Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

Instructions

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Make the soup: Place the chicken, carrots, celery, onions, bay leaf, garlic, and 1/4 cup parsley in a large soup pot. Cover the ingredients with 1 inch of cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Turn the heat down to low and gently simmer, partially covered, skimming off the foam that accumulates as needed, until the chicken is very tender and falling off the bone, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Meanwhile, make the matzo balls.
Make the matzo balls: Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until softened and browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the thyme and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl to speed up the cooling process and let cool until cool to the touch.
Once cooled, add the eggs, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon salt, matzo meal, and seltzer and stir until combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. → A Note on Timing: In order for everything to be ready at the same time, plan on chilling the matzo ball dough in the last 30 minutes of cooking time for the soup. Next, shape the matzo balls and begin simmering them, then take the soup off the heat and strain.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to medium-low and keep at a simmer. Moisten your hands with water; scoop out a heaping tablespoon of the matzo ball batter and roll it into a 1-inch ball. Drop the ball into the boiling water, and repeat with remaining batter. Cover and simmer until the matzo balls are tender and puffed, 30 to 35 minutes. (If you cut one in half, it should be pale in color throughout.)
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the matzo balls to a plate until ready to use. Meanwhile, transfer the cooked chicken and vegetables from the soup pot to a cutting board. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer, and then pour it back into the pot. Discard the parsley and bay leaf. Using your fingers, remove the chicken skin and discard it, then remove the meat from the bones. Coarsely chop the meat. Chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
Add the chicken meat and chopped vegetables to the soup pot with the strained broth. Bring to a simmer. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. To serve, place 1 or 2 matzo balls into a soup bowl and top with soup and chopped fresh parsley. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing, if desired.