Jewish Penicillin (Judy's Chicken with Matzoh)

s'kat's Note:

This recipe was given to my MIL by her Great Grandmother, who immigrated from Poland. I swear this soup has magical powers, as it has nursed my husband to health from countless colds, flus, and even a total hip replacement!! This also freezes very well, so make in advance of flu season!

• Total Time: 3 hrs 45 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 pot of ...

Soup

• 1 large stewing chicken
• 1 onion
• 2 stalks celery
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• salt and pepper

Matzoh

• 2 tablespoons chicken fat or 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 eggs , slightly beaten
• ½ cup matzo meal
• 1 dash salt
• 2 tablespoons stock or 2 tablespoons water

Directions:

1. In large stew pot, add all soup ingredients.
2. Cover with water, top pot with lid and simmer until chicken falls off bone.
3. Remove celery and onion.
4. Bone chicken and reserve.
5. Add matzoh dough to simmering broth, cooking until done*.
6. Add chicken to broth: serve hot.
7. *MatzohBall directions: Mix fat and eggs together.
8. Add matzoh meal and salt.
9. When well blended, add soup stock/water.
10. Cover bowl and place in refrigerator 20 minutes.
11. Into simmering soup, drop matzoh mixture by tablespoons.
12. They will form balls and float to the top.
13. Cover pot and cook about 20 minutes.

Reviews

[kitina]

Wow, this is comfort food at it's best!!!! I used store bought ready made matzo balls because I couldn't find matzo meal. (Sent hubby to a Jewish deli!) This is the first time I used a whole chicken for the stock and I will do this for all my stocks, gives a much better taste!! After I simmered the chicken I put the stock in the fridge and skimmed of the fat, there was quite a bit of it. I can't wait to make this again!

[Sackville]

I didn't want to put a star on this recipe, because I made quite a few changes in my version, but I just wanted to say that the basic idea here is great. I'd never heard of putting matzo balls in soup until I saw this recipe and now I think it's got to be the only way to go.

[babytoothdoc]

This a beautifully simple recipe and so delicious! I love that you shared where it came from. I used thighs (what I had on hand) and my husband and 6 year old daughter each asked for seconds. Now we don't have to look for a deli! Thanks for sharing!