What is a matzo ball?
A matzo ball is basically a dumpling made with crushed matzo (matzo meal). Matzo balls also include some type of fat (preferably chicken fat) for richness and flavor, water, and eggs to bind all the ingredients into a loose batter that thickens when chilled and produces light, fluffy balls that retain their shape when boiled. Unfortunately, many recipes create a less alluring product; I’ve found that cutting corners (not chilling the dough long enough, trying to eliminate fat, using pre-made mixes, etc…) often results in heavy and unappealing matzo balls barely worth eating. Finding the recipe Last fall, I began seeking a good matzo ball recipe by calling a couple of family members; everyone directed me to the back of the matzo meal box. This recipe called for vegetable oil (rather than the traditional chicken fat, or schmaltz). I wanted something more traditional, so I branched out on my own. After searching the Internet and consulting with numerous other Jews, I came up with a reci
