Best 2 Vegan Matzo Ball Soup Recipes

VEGAN MATZO BALL SOUP

Vegan Matzo Ball Soup image

The actress Natalie Portman was seeking a good vegan matzo ball soup, and the result is this recipe: soft matzo balls that hold together thanks to a little help from chickpeas. Matzo meal, potato starch, a little olive oil and lots of ginger, dill and cilantro lend plenty of flavor, while chickpea water (known as aquafaba) provides binding that would otherwise come from eggs. You can use the liquid from canned chickpeas, but the liquid from dry chickpeas soaked, then cooked in water works best. Ginger and nutmeg are characteristics of German-Jewish matzo balls, while the Yemenite addition of cilantro and dill adds even more brightness and flavor. Natalie is right: "It's a very sad world without good matzo balls."

Provided by Joan Nathan

Categories soups and stews, appetizer, main course, side dish

Time 4h

Yield 4 to 6 servings (about 20 matzo balls)

Number Of Ingredients 23

Ingredients

1 cup matzo meal
1/4 cup potato starch
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger, or to taste
1 teaspoon minced fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 to 1 cup chickpea cooking liquid (from home-cooked chickpeas or about two 15-ounce cans, preferably low-sodium)
8 cups vegetable broth
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 kohlrabi, peeled and diced
1 leek, white and light green parts only, cleaned and diced
1 yellow or white onion, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, chopped
Kosher salt and black pepper
Lots of chopped fresh herbs (such as dill, cilantro, parsley or basil), for serving
Zhug or harissa, for serving (optional)

Steps:

Make the matzo balls: In a medium bowl, mix the matzo meal, potato starch, parsley, cilantro, ginger, dill, nutmeg, baking soda and baking powder with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add the olive oil and enough chickpea liquid to make a slightly sticky mixture that's not too wet or loose, about the texture of oatmeal. (The matzo meal will absorb lots of the liquid.) Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
Make the broth: In a large pot, bring the broth to a boil. Add the carrots, celery, kohlrabi, leek, onion, olive oil and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer, covered, until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
When the matzo mix is cold, return the broth to a low simmer. Dip your hands in cold water and form 1 1/2-inch matzo balls, about the size of a large walnut. You should have about 20 matzo balls.
Carefully drop the matzo balls into the broth, cover and simmer without disturbing them until tender but firm, about 20 minutes. Divide among bowls. Garnish with lots of fresh herbs, and, if you want more punch to your soup, serve with some zhug or harissa.

VEGETARIAN MATZO BALL SOUP

Vegetarian Matzo Ball Soup image

For a hearty lunch or dinner, make this Passover holiday classic with a twist-no meat!-with this family lunch or dinner recipe from Jonathan Safran Foer, author of "New American Haggadah."

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Soups, Stews & Stocks Soup Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

4 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon coarse salt
Pinch of freshly ground pepper
1 cup matzo meal
1/2 cup seltzer
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 cup peeled, chopped sweet potatoes
1 cup peeled, chopped parsnips
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups water (or homemade or store-bought, low-sodium vegetable broth)
2 bay leaves
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1/2 cup minced fresh dill
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

Make the matzo balls: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, salt, and pepper until well combined. Add matzo meal and seltzer; mix to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Make the soup: Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, sweet potato, parsnips, ginger, and garlic; cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add water or broth, bay leaves, and thyme; reduce heat and let simmer until vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes. Do not let liquid come to a boil. Remove from heat; strain and discard solids. Add dill and season with salt and pepper. Keep warm until ready to serve.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside.
Moisten hands with water and, using your hands, form matzo batter into about 1 1/2-inch balls. At this point, matzo balls can be transferred to freezer until frozen and then transferred to airtight containers and kept frozen for up to 1 month. Frozen matzo balls can be added directly to boiling water.
Place matzo balls in boiling water; cover and cook until light and fluffy, about 20 minutes. Carefully transfer matzo balls to warm soup; serve immediately.

### Tips - When making the matzo balls, be sure to not overmix the dough. Overmixing will result in tough matzo balls. - If you don't have matzo meal, you can make your own by grinding matzo crackers into a fine powder. - To make the soup richer, you can add cooked vegetables such as carrots, celery, or onions. - If you want a thicker soup, you can add a roux made from flour and butter. - To make the soup spicier, you can add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. - If you don't have fresh parsley, you can use dried parsley instead. - Serve the soup with a side of crusty bread or crackers. ### Conclusion Vegan matzo ball soup is a delicious and comforting soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a great way to use up leftover matzo from Passover. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a pot of matzo ball soup that will warm you up from the inside out.