matzoh ball
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Definition
Noun: A small, round dumpling made from matzo meal (ground unleavened bread), eggs, water, and fat. It is a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish food, typically served in chicken soup.
Usage
This term refers specifically to the food item. It is a compound noun where "matzoh" (or matzah/matzo) indicates the primary ingredient and "ball" describes its shape. * It is commonly found in the context of Jewish cuisine, holidays (especially Passover), and family meals. * It is almost always served in a broth, most famously in chicken soup.
Examples
- Noun:
- For lunch, she had a bowl of chicken soup with a matzoh ball.
- His grandmother makes the lightest, fluffiest matzoh balls.
- The key to a good matzoh ball is not to overmix the batter.
Advanced Usage
- The texture of a matzoh ball can be described as "sinkers" (dense and heavy) or "floaters" (light and fluffy), often based on family preference or recipe.
- The dish is sometimes referred to colloquially as "Jewish penicillin," highlighting chicken soup with matzoh balls as a traditional remedy for colds.
Variants and Related Words
- Matzo ball (alternative spelling): The most common variant spelling.
- Matzah ball (alternative spelling): Another common variant.
- Kneidel (Yiddish): The Yiddish term for a dumpling, which can refer to a matzoh ball (matzoh kneidel) or other types of dumplings.
- Matzo meal: The main ingredient, made from ground matzo.
Synonyms
- Dumpling: A broader term for a small mass of dough cooked in liquid. "Matzoh ball" is a specific type of dumpling.
Related Phrases
- Matzoh ball soup: The complete dish of broth served with matzoh balls.
- Passover soup: A descriptive term for soup served during the Passover holiday, often containing matzoh balls.
Noun
- a Jewish dumpling made of matzo meal; usually served in soup