The Passover Potluck is a unique annual online event. I’ve invited my friends, both Jewish and non-Jewish, to share recipes that are kosher for Passover. My goals are simple– to foster mutual understanding between different cultures, to introduce you to my foodie friends, and to share yummy recipes and cooking ideas for Passover! To learn more about the Passover holiday, click here. To learn about what makes a recipe kosher for Passover, click here. To check out the other Passover Potluck recipes, click here.
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Since starting my blog, I’ve learned how important beautiful photography is. Food photos are part of what draw you in to a culinary website– they catch your interest and make you hungry for more. Good photos do more than just showcase food, they tell a story. That’s why I was immediately drawn to Lori Lynn’s blog Taste With The Eyes. Lori Lynn is a master of telling stories through her images. For our Passover Potluck, she is sharing her delicious recipe for Saffron Matzo Balls, an exotic twist on an old favorite. Enjoy! ~ Tori
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Lori Lynn says:
Passover Potluck? Count me in Tori! It is my absolute pleasure and such an honor to be invited to contribute a Guest Post for my favorite Jewish holiday, Pesach, on my favorite Jewish cooking blog, The Shiksa in the Kitchen. I’ll bring the Matzoh Ball Soup. See you at Sundown!
Our Beautiful Passover Seder Table
The Passover Seder Table is not simply a place to tell the story of the Exodus and to eat dinner. The Table is symbolic in and of itself. It is a place where memories are made and traditions are taught. It is where we gather with family and friends, and perhaps strangers too, to celebrate our freedoms.
The care with which my sister-in-law sets her Table reflects the solemnness and seriousness of this holiday. The vibrancy and beauty of the Table reflect our gratitude to God for taking us from slavery to freedom, from sadness to happiness, from pain to joy, from darkness to light.
Fresh flower arrangements that mirror the color scheme make the table especially spring-like and festive. We celebrate the bounty, joy, and beauty of Spring.
When our guests arrive just before sundown, they are always surprised and delighted by Kristy’s table. And of course, by then, I’ve photographed the table from every angle for Taste With The Eyes, a visual food blog where the image is meant to titillate and inspire the cook – highlighting fabulous restaurants, unique ingredients and dishes, and stylish entertaining. I’m hoping you can stop by Taste With The Eyes after the Passover holiday this year to see photos of our 2012 Table. It is going to be a dazzler!
Choosing a Passover dish to share with the Shiksa was easy. Yours truly has been the chef at my brother and sister-in-law’s home since the honor of hosting was passed to them in 2001. My brother, Don, conducts the Seder for 32 guests every year. Kristy sets the most beautiful table and prepares the haroset, and I cook, with much appreciated help from my nephews, cousins, and friends.
We read from the Haggadah. We recite the blessings. We retell the story of our ancestors’ Exodus from Egypt. We dip the karpas, twice. My nephew, Jett, 7, will ask The Four Questions in Hebrew. We sing. We drink wine. We eat. We laugh. We get teary-eyed as the story of our journey to freedom is being retold all over the world on this day.
After rolling over a thousand matzoh balls between my palms over the last decade, it is this fluffy beloved dumpling of Passover that I must share at the Potluck. But mine is not an ordinary matzoh ball, this one is infused with saffron. Lots of saffron. So beyond their beautiful rich color, these matzoh balls taste exotic, mysterious. Perfect for the retelling of our ancient story…
Wishing you a holiday bright with the beauty of traditions and all the blessings of being together…
Happy Passover My Friends!
Lori Lynn
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Saffron Matzo Balls
Ingredients
- .02 ounces saffron threads
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 1/2 ounces matzo ball mix (1 packet)
- Carrot slices and chopped parsley, for garnish
NOTES
Instructions
- Grind 0.02 oz. saffron threads using a mortar and pestle.
- Blend 2 large eggs with 2 T. good olive oil. Stir in saffron.
- Let saffron infuse the egg/oil mixture for about 10 minutes. Stir again.
- Add one packet (2 1/2 oz.) matzoh ball mix. Mix well.
- Place matzoh ball mixture in refrigerator for 15 minutes.In the meantime bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Roll chilled matzoh ball mixture into eight balls.
- Drop balls into boiling water. Cover. Lower the heat to medium low (not simmer).
- Cook for 30 minutes, do not lift lid while cooking (no peeking)!
- Place carrots and chopped parsley in a shallow bowl. Add matzoh ball then ladle hot chicken soup into the bowl.
Nutrition
tried this recipe?
Let us know in the comments!
Do you have or do you ever make homemade Matzoh balls? And would you ever boil the Matzoh’s in the chicken broth instead of the water?
Karen – yes, and yes. Here is a blog with links to my homemade matzo ball recipes: https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/2012/03/perfect-chicken-soup/ I prefer cooking them in broth.
Hi Dahlia – I hope you make the matzoh balls, they are really easy, and paired with a delicious chicken soup, one of the most comforting things you can eat! Saffron kicks it up a notch, too!
LL
P.S. Making matzoh balls is a lot like baking, be sure to follow the recipe, and you will be happy with the results.
These look delicious and unique! I’ve never made matzoh balls before, and was thinking of taking on the challenge this Passover. I may have to give this recipe a try. Thanks for sharing! I’m pleased to have found this site, too. I will be sharing it with my friend who is a “shiksa in the kitchen” as well..She’s trying to learn more about cooking & Judaism in preparation of her wedding a few months from now. If you have a chance, please stop by my blog: detroittokyo.wordpress.com
What a beautiful table! And Lori, I love your description of the meal as well. It sounds like a time in which you create many cherished family memories. I really like the idea of adding saffron to the matzo balls – very exotic indeed!
Hi Kristy – thank you. We adore the Passover seder, the meal, the cooking, family and friends, and setting the table with a different color scheme every year. And this Passover we are blessed to have 3 tiny new members. Once cousin had twin boys, another cousin had a baby girl in the past year.
LL
I am so pleased to come across a new blog through the potluck. It is so nice to meet Lori and I look forward to getting to know her better. The table setting is absolutely stunning. Which is perfect as it needs to be worthy of this gorgeous dish. I can just imagine the taste.
Hi Kim Bee – Likewise! And thank you for your kind words.
LL
These are beautiful! What a great idea.
Thank you Amy – I do hope you try them, the color is extraordinary. Happy Passover!
LL
Oh, Lori….this isn’t just soup – it’s ART! Your sister-in-law’s table setting is absolutely stunning! What a lovely post.
Thanks Ann, as always. You are so kind. I hope you stop by after the holiday to see Kristy’s table this year, turquoise and lemon yellow. Can’t wait!
LL
gorgeous just gorgeous
Merci Beaucoup Louise!
LL
thank you for a great matzo ball recipe.
I never thought i could like a matzah ball until i saw this recipe. I am from the camp of kreplach and the matzah ball that really is a kreplach because its stuffed with seasoned ground beef.
the pictures are great
alan
Hi Alan – the “camp of kreplach” I love that!
I am an equal fan of the matzoh ball and kreplach. Kreplach soup at a deli called the “Gold Coin” in Chicago was my favorite for many years.
Thanks for your comment and photo compliment.
Happy Passover!
LL
Everything look so pretty! this is my favorite soup, the matzo balls with saffron, delish! and the presentation gorgeous. 🙂
Hi Coco – thank you. My favorite soup too.
Happy Passover!
LL
I agree, LL’s photography tells stories about the food. I’m a big fan of her blog and I’ve learned so much about food in general. This recipe is going to be a keeper and want to give it a try!
Nami – you are so sweet. Thank you for your kind words. I hope you can make these Matzoh Balls in remembrance of your mom’s host family.
LL
Absolutely beautiful! So creative! I can not wait to make these this year as well!
Hi Samantha – I hope you try them, please let me know what your guests think…they will be surprised by the color, and the flavor is unique, fabulous, mysterious…
LL
Gorgeous Matzah Balls…lovely tables!
Thank you Linda – I hope you stop by after Passover to see our 2012 table, it’s going to be a fresh turquoise & lemon yellow color scheme.
LL
Beautiful matzo balls. I can’t get over the brilliant color.
Thank you Maureen. I used more saffron than just the usual “pinch,” and the result was striking. Flavor very exotic too…
LL
Thanks so much for inviting me to share in the Potluck, Tori. It’s a fabulous idea and I’m honored to be a part of it.
Congratulations on such a successful event, I’ve enjoyed meeting new bloggers and look forward to each and every Passover post!
Lori Lynn