Soup in August?
When you’re sick, that’s a must.Â
The recipe I’m going to share today is for a hot soup often referred to as Jewish Penicillin… with my own special twist. Â It’s a roasted Garlic Matzo Ball Chicken Soup.
Vegas caught a summer cold. Â How you can get a cold in the summer, I have no idea… but it happens to me about once a year. Â And apparently to Vegas. Â I decided to cure her with a big bowl of Matzo Ball Chicken Soup.
Matzo balls are made from Matzo Meal, which is ground matzo crackers. Â Matzo is unleavened bread, which is the traditionally eaten by Jews during the Passover festival, when chametz (bread and other food made with leaven) is forbidden according to Jewish religious law.
It’s not passover, but you can still locate a box of the meal in most major grocery stores.
Outside of Passover, it’s also often made to cure a cold.  Like chicken soup.  So I decided to make a two-in-one cure for Vegas.  I added roasted garlic because garlic is also thought to be good for illness.  It’s good for flavor too!  Matzo is actually pretty bland on it’s own, so I like to amp up the flavors with garlic and rosemary.
Matzo balls, if done right, are light and fluffy.  When you roll the balls, they may seem sticky and dense.  Don’t worry.  After dropping them in the boiling broth they poof up and rise to the top.  The soda water helps the achieve this and you’ll also want to take care not to over-mix or roll your balls too tightly.
Bottom line: You want floaters, not sinkers.
(Side note: did you know soda water in pancakes make then fluffier too?)
Scroll down to the bottom for the full recipe!
I basically drank my way WIAW with slurpy, souper concoctions.  Check out Jenn’s WIAW baby over at Arman’s this week, and then check out everyone else’s delicious eats!
Breakfast:
I had the usual morning cocktail and morning sludge.
Breakfast was a fun experiment.  Watermlon Gazpacho!  I’m typing up the recipe for Friday’s Strange But Good.  Because cold watermelon soup is a bit strange, no?
Vegas and I gobbled it down with a few hefty scoops of Greek yogurt – after of course I took this pretty pic with a dainty dollop and a drizzle of honey. Â Fo ‘shizzle.
Lunch:
After a very sweaty and longer than expected workout, I dove for the blender to make an ice cold smoothie bowl. Â This is basically my Strawberry Acai Protein Bowl, but with more spinach.
Snack:
Lindsay’s balls. Â Or – more politically correct but less funny – Cocoa Cashew Pretzel Bites. Â I mostly followed the recipe, except I used almonds instead of cashews and my favorite Growing Naturals Chocolate Rice Protein Power.
Dinner:
Here’s where the soup comes in. Â Funny story about the soup…
You may have noticed from my blue eyes and (mostly) natural blonde hair that I’m not Jewish.  I’m Southern, raised in a Methodist home.  Despite this, we grew up on matzo ball soup thanks to a favorite Jewish deli called Sophie’s.  My dad loved Sophie’s soup.  When she closed the deli to retire, he asked if he might have the recipe.  She obliged and my mom has been making it ever since!
Mom also is a big fan of latkes. Â I have no explanation for this.
Anyhow, this was Vegas’ first time eating this soup and she told me she loved my balls.  #TWSS
Roasted Garlic Matzo Ball Chicken Soup
- 6 cloves unpeeled garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 eggs
- 4 TÂ (1/2 stick) cold salted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 C club soda
- 1 tsp ground black pepper (you may adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 CÂ Unsalted Matzo MealÂ
- 1 T extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 leek, white an light green parts only, thinly sliced
- 2 medium chopped carrots (~1.5 C)
- 1.25 lb chicken tenders, pounded*
- 7 CÂ low sodium vegetable broth
- 2 cloves peeled garlic
- 2 thyme sprigs
- 1 rosemary sprig
Preheat the oven to 375°F.  Toss garlic with a 1/4 tsp olive oil and transfer to a baking pan.  Roast for 25 minutes, or until cloves are soft.
Peel garlic and place in food processor with eggs and cold butter, and purée.  Pour the mixture into a bowl.  Stir in soda, pepper, rosemary and matzo meal.  Combine well.  Cover and refrigerate for 30 mins to an hour.
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot.  Add leeks and carrots, cooking until beginning to soften and become fragrant, ~5 mins.  Add chicken  and 1/2 of broth and cook over medium heat, flipping once.  When just done (~3 mins each side), remove from pot and set aside too cool.
Pout remaining broth into pot with garlic cloves and sprigs of rosemary and thyme.  While broth is heating, roll the matzo mixture into 1-inch balls and transfer to a piece of wax paper.  When broth comes to a boil, add gently add matzo balls.
Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.  Matzo balls should be tender, fluffed, and cooked through.  Meanwhile shred cooled chicken tenders and set aside.
Uncover, add shredded chicken, and let cook about 2 mins more until chicken is warmed. Â Ladle soup into bowls and serve.
Makes 6-8 servings.
*Note: You could also use chicken breast or a roasted chicken.
***
Vegas is feeling better today.  She says the soup helped. 😉
Have you ever caught a summer cold?
Have you ever had Matzo Ball Soup?Â
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
Summer colds are the worst! I hope that Vegas feels better soon!
Carla says
JEWISH MAMA IN DA HOUSE 🙂
I love you did this for her too.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
So fluffay?
I got a pretty dastardly summer cold right before and during Blogfest, so I barely had a voice and then sounded like Demi Moore with a pack a day habit and a head cold. It was awesome. But I didn’t have the sneezing and nose drip, so I was winning in that department. Feel better Vegas!
I love Matzo ball soup. Well, I love chicken soup, period. So there you go.
rachel @ athletic avocado says
I have never tried matzo but I have always wanted to! This soup looks delicious!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
I hope she feels better soon! Soup or any food is always a good cure!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
Colds suck any time of the year, but they seem especially offensive the summer. I am glad to hear Vegas is feeling better. Lucky she had you to nurse her back to health.
I have never had matzo ball soup before, but I always see matzo meal at the grocery store. Now I have a reason (and a recipe) to pick up a box.
Laura says
Thanks Heather! She’s finally feeling human again. 🙂
Let me know if you try out the matzo! I really like it!
Melissa says
i looove soup all year round and definitely need to try this. YAY!
Kayla says
I had matzo ball soup once, and I will agree – it is very bland!! But roasted garlic makes everything better!! Putting this recipe away for a cold Fall day! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Laura says
Please let me know if you do try this one – I promise it’s not the usual bland. 🙂 Thanks!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
We always get sick in the summer – already we’ve had a cold and my kids had a fever bug. Love that matzoh ball soup!
Laura says
Oh no! that’s really bad for kids – it’s their vacation! I rrecommend the soup. 😉
Kate says
Yum! The soup looks amazing… I love the overload of garlic!
Lauren says
Something about a summer cold is more obnoxious than any other time of year. I hope Vegas feels better soon! How could she not after this soup? Plus I’m a firm believer garlic fixes these things 😉
Y’all are so cute.
Laura says
Thank Lauren! She seems to have recovered. 🙂
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl says
Matzo ball soup is an every-holiday tradition in our house. I’m Jewish but very Reform/secular, so we kind of just make all the food we like every holiday since we don’t like a lot of the others. Lots of matzo ball soup, latkes, and the Passover flourless chocolate torte (this is not traditional, my dad is just obsessed).
Laura says
I think Passover flourless chocolate torte should be traditional. That sounds amazing!
tiff @ love, sweat, & beers says
Glad to hear she’s doing better. It must have been the soup! 🙂 I”ve never had matzo ball soup before, but I’d certainly try it if someone made it for me.
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Cocoa cashew pretzel bites? Did you just put all of my favorite things into one little ball? YES. I need to try that.
Also, that protein bowl sounds delicious and refreshing!
Laura says
Lindsay has the best balls. 🙂
Linz @ Itz Linz says
as a jew, you know i love the matzo ball part of this! 🙂 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Legit, Matzo ball soup used to be my FAVORITE soup growing up. There was this one dinner near by that had the best and I would always get it there, haha, weird memories 😛
Laura says
Random diners always do the best! Especially if it’s fresh so the balls haven’t all gotten broken up yet. YUM!
Jamie says
My mom made a watermelon gaspacho the other weekend and it was DELICIOUS!
Laura says
Great minds! 😉 I’d love to hear what she did to hers! I just posted mine Friday.
Beverley @ sweaty&fit says
i’ve never had matzo balls before but i do love anything that is carb-y and round haha!! this looks great
Laura says
Ha! You’d fit right in here – we love carbs. 🙂
Niki @ Life With Niki says
I have never had such a Matzo soup but it is definitely something I would like to try!
Your snack balls also like divine, any type of bite sized snack sounds good to me. Like you could put the worst combination of ingredients into a ball shape and I would probably be excited to eat it :D!
Lucie@FitSwissChick says
I like balls, but I have never heard of MAtzo Balls. Yet, I believe it’s good especially when you make it. I feel bad too, can you come and make it for me please?
Laura says
Oh! We will make some over Christmas!!!
Kelly @ The fit skool says
You are making me want to try Matzo ball soup! it sounds great. I just recently had a summer cold thanks to my toddler, it took me a while to get rid of it but I did have some soup and lots of tea which helped 🙂
Laura says
Glad you’re feeling better! I was shocked how much my friends with kids started getting sick once they were around other kids. I know that’s rough!
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig says
I have a summer cold right now! Seriously, body, it’s 100 degrees out. I’m hoping it will pass very soon. I could NOT eat soup in this weather though.
Laura says
Ok, well it’s not quiiiite that hot here. Still, I think it’s healing. Like eating spicy food is – it makes you sweat whatever it is out! Hope you’re feeling better. Just have some more gelato. 😉
Jennifer Andrews says
This looks so warm and nourishing and delicious. I’ve never made matzo balls before but plan on adding this to my fall to-make list. By the way, where is today’s WIAW link-up taking place? I haven’t been able to find it. Thanks 🙂
Laura says
Awesome – let me know what you think if you try it!
The link up is over at Arman’s blog this week: http://thebigmansworld.com/.
Jennifer Andrews says
Thanks! I was refreshing his site all day and haven’t seen the post go up. Perhaps it’s just me, that’s entirely possible too 🙂
Laura says
Glad you figured it out! His site has done that to me before too. Sorry for any confusion!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
My family loves Matzoh ball soup! I don’t usually make it bc the chicken but I buy it for them. They love it
Laura says
You could totally do a veggie version! I’ve done it before with just noodles.
Liz says
Oooh my goodness! This soup looks amazing.. even though it is practically 100 degrees out right now, I want a big bowl of it!
Laura says
LOL! Thank you! just turn the A/C up reallllly high. 😉
lindsay says
that protein powder is legit! but vegas caught another cold? what’s going on with her? too much partying? LOL! jk. P.S i’m still trying to find GF mazto balls!
Laura says
HA! I’m going to tell her you said that.
Jessica @ Balance and Thyme says
I’ve never had Matzo meal, but I always look at it when shopping. Thanks for giving me some ideas.
Oh and those balls look delish. ha!
Laura says
Thanks Jessica! I encourage you to try both forms of balls. 😉
Lee says
I love Matzoh ball soup.
Mary says
Uhhh Hmmmmm this looks delicious and hearty. I didn’t grow up on Matzo Ball soup but I wish I did. I’ll have to remember to make this next time I get sick. I hope the soup made Vegas feel better, summer colds are the worst.
GiGi Eats says
I lovedddddddd having Jewish friends when I was younger because omg MAZTO BALL SOUP KICKS ASSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! And the Hallah, OHHH MYYYYYY! I want a mattress made of the stuff.
Laura says
OMG. Challah is on my list to make. I’m scared to bake bread for some reason.
Sara says
I think this is the first summer where I haven’t gotten sick, usually I always get a summer cold ugh!
Katie @ Run Now, Wine Later says
Your balls look delicious! Then again, I support any blog post/recipe that lends itself to as many TWSS moments as this one did 🙂 Hope Vegas feels better soon!
Laura says
I giggled like 12 year old the whole way through writing it too. 😉
Debra says
Love the garlic-rosemary twist!