Soup Of The Day

Ina Garten makes the ultimate crowd-pleaser: matzo ball soup.

Every nationality has some kind of chicken soup. It’s one of the simplest meals you can make and almost everyone can find a chicken and some vegetables to cook up a big, satisfying pot of soup for the family. Some people even ascribe magical medicinal qualities to chicken soup, and who am I to disagree? The Greeks have a chicken and lemon soup called avgolemono, Italians make tortellini en brodo, the Vietnamese have pho and, of course, the Chinese make egg drop soup with chicken broth. I grew up on chicken soup with matzo balls, so that’s my particular favorite. The broth starts with whole chickens and vegetables, plus fresh herbs like parsley and thyme, an entire head of garlic and lots of salt and pepper. I simmer it away for hours while I futz around the house and make some easy matzo balls. I end up witha rich, delicious soup that will delight everyone on a cold night!

CHICKEN SOUP

ACTIVE: 45 min l TOTAL: 4 hr 45 min l MAKES: 6 quarts stock

3 - 5-pound roasting chickens

3 large yellow onions, unpeeled and quartered