Lunch: Spring Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls

Recipe by Melissa Roberts The key to a delicious matzo ball soup is in the broth: lots of vegetables and aromatics, including slices of ginger root for a bit of heat, make a perfect vehicle for these matzo balls. Matzo balls can be a very personal thing:

Ingredients

3 medium leeks (about 1 1/2 pounds), top 2 inches of dark green parts discarded, then halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into thirds
5 large carrots (about 1 pound), cut into thirds
2 celery ribs, cut into thirds
1 (4- to 4-1/2 pound) chicken (giblets and liver removed)
1 small head garlic, halved crosswise
1/3 cup sliced fresh ginger (unpeeled but skin scrubbed); from one 1/2-ounce piece
15 long fresh flat leaf parsley stems
15 long fresh dill stems
12 black peppercorns
1 tablespoon kosher salt
4 quarts cold water

Instructions

Wash leeks in a bowl of cold water, agitating them to remove all sand and grit, then lift out and transfer to an 8-quart stockpot.
Add all remaining broth ingredients to pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, skimming foam occasionally, 3 hours.

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