Persian "Matzo Balls" with Chickpeas and Chicken (Gondi)

Ingredients for Persian "Matzo Balls" with Chickpeas and Chicken (Gondi)

• 2 yellow onions

• 1 egg

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 teaspoons ground cardamom

• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

• 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil

• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 250g chickpea flour

• 450g chicken mince or turkey

• 2875ml chicken or vegetable stock

• 1925ml chicken or vegetable stock

• 1 large carrot, thinly sliced

• 475ml cooked chickpeas (one 425g can, drained and rinsed)

• 4 dried limes, soaked in hot water to cover for 15 minutes

• 2 cups loosely packed coarsely chopped fresh dill, flat-leaf parsley, or coriander

• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 60ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

To make the matzo balls, puree the onions in a food processor. Transfer to a large bowl, and whisk in the egg, garlic, cardamom, turmeric, oil, 2 teaspoons salt, and several grinds of pepper. Mix in the chickpea flour and chicken to form a thick paste. Cover and store the dough in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours, to firm up.

Wet your hands with cold water and break off walnut-size pieces of the dough. Roll them into smooth balls, to make a total of 30 balls.

In a large stockpot, bring the 2875ml stock and 2 teaspoons sea salt to a rapid boil. Carefully drop the dumplings into the stock. Turn down the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 50 minutes without opening the pot. When ready, the gondi will be firm in the centre. Remove them with a slotted spoon. The cooking stock can be strained and used for the soup broth, or reserved for another use.

In a second stockpot, combine the 1925ml stock, carrot, and chickpeas and bring to a boil. Pierce the limes several times with a fork and add them to the stock along with their soaking water. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Add the herbs and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the lemon juice just before serving. Divide the gondi among soup bowls, ladle the broth over the top, and serve.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.