This Keto Low-Carb Matzo Ball Soup is not made from unleavened wheat bread, as prepared in the classic recipe.  But it’s still delicious and can meet Passover Seder requirements.

I grew up in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Willowdale, Ontario, Canada.  Today this once farming community (a suburb just like the one in the former TV show called “The Wonder Years.”) is now part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).  Today, Willowdale is gone forever.  Not a house, nor a store, and even the streets are different.  In fact, there’s nothing in my own neighborhood that remains the same as my childhood.  I feel like I’ve lost my childhood forever, other than what’s left in my memory bank.

Back to Matzo Balls…

Throughout my childhood and well into my late 30s I lived in Toronto and loved to dine at local Jewish restaurants serving Matzo Ball Soup.  The soup is often on the menu year-round but most definitely near and during Passover.  Marky’s Restaurant in Toronto served the best Matzo Ball Soup.  After being in business for 43 years, Marky’s, a city landmark located in the Bathurst and Wilson Jewish community, shut its doors on July 8, 2012.  (Another piece of my childhood gone.)

Matzo Ball Soup is a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish soup served during Passover.  When Eastern European cuisine began introducing dumplings into their cuisine, Jews began placing these unleavened dumplings in their soup in order to adapt to their dietary restrictions and culinary tastes.

Basically, it is chicken soup with matzoh meal dumplings.  Matzoh meal is made from unleavened bread, eggs, chicken fat (or another fat or oil), and broth. The dumplings boil in the soup and soak up all the delicious flavor of the stock.

Matzoh meal comes from a hard, cracker-like bread made from a dough of only flour and water which has not been allowed to rise. It is eaten throughout the eight days of Passover and specifically during the Seder. Matzoh must be made from one of five grains: wheat, rye, oats, barley, and spelt.

If you enjoy Matzo Ball soup we have a Keto version made without grains or sugar.  The Keto dumplings in this soup are not Matzo and quite frankly, do not taste like Matzo balls.  However, these Keto dumplings are just as tasty, just different.

WHAT IS THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF KETO LOW-CARB MATZO BALL SOUP?

What’s the nutritional value of Keto Low-Carb Matzo Ball Soup?

Flax Meal in Matzo Balls: These Keto dumplings contain ground flax seeds which have many healthful benefits, such as:

Weight Loss: Flaxseed aids in weight loss by binding with water in the digestive tract, making you feel fuller for a longer period of time. Thus, preventing overeating.

May Help lowers Blood Pressure: Flaxseed is rich in alpa-linoleic acid (ALA), an omega 3 fatty acid, which is a component in reducing blood pressures.

May Help Hair Growth: Flaxseed lignans have been shown to inhibit the loss of hair growth by preventing production of the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT.

May Help Reduce Cancer Risks: Scientific evidence suggests that flaxseed lignans (as an antioxidant) may decrease excessive cell growth in breast tissue.  This is accomplished by increasing apoptosis, a natural process of programming cells to die so that new cells can take their place.

May Help Control Blood Sugar: Chinese Academy of Medical Science study concluded that flaxseed had consistently positive effects on lower fasting blood glucose levels as well as cholesterol, over a 6-week period.

May Help Lower Bad Cholesterol: Omega-3 oils have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol as well as HDL cholesterol levels. One great source of omega 3 is flaxseed oil.

May Help in Digestion: The soluble fiber content of flaxseed alone makes it a powerhouse food for regulating hunger, as well as bulking stool sizes for a healthier colon. The ALA further contributes to digestive regularity by lubricating the GI tract.

May Help with Mental Health: Flaxseed and vitamin C supplementation worked together to improve self-control, restlessness, inattention, and impulsiveness.

May Help Improve Skin: Regular consumption of flaxseed and flaxseed oil minimizes skin irritation, rashes, inflammation, and redness.

WHAT IS THE TASTE PROFILE OF KETO LOW-CARB MATZO BALL SOUP?

This Keto Low-Carb Matzo Ball Soup sings with the fifth taste sensation of umami, as well as fattiness. Highly flavorful!  The Matzo Balls add the texture of chewiness and density.

WHAT WINE HARMONIZES WITH KETO LOW-CARB “MATZO BALL” CHICKEN SOUP?

Keto Low-Carb Matzo Ball Soup is not thin or too thick in the mouth feel.  It is right in the middle.  So choose a white wine with some weight to match.  If you add more saltiness to the soup then a crispy, dry white wine will work.  The wine’s acidity will nicely offset the saltiness in the soup.  You might also want to bring in the subtle bitterness from the flax seed matzo balls into the partnership.  White wines to consider are Chardonnay, Viognier, or Muscat.  Or choose a light, red wine with bright acidity and some pleasant bitterness on the finish.  Think Pinot Noir.

*Wine Tips: To support your Keto diet or low-carb lifestyle, choose low-carb, low-sugar, and low-alcohol wines that are free of additives and artificial coloring.  Include your wine carb macros as part of your meal.  Remember, your liver will process alcohol before nutrients, pausing ketone creation and slowing the ketosis process. Your body will also metabolize alcohol as fuel before using food. This can slow fat burning and may cause your body to store carbs, fat, and protein as excess body fat.  Alcohol consumption also stimulates the appetite.  So, drink low-sugar, low-carb, and low alcohol wines in moderation.

WHAT OTHER KETO LOW-CARB RECIPES CAN I ENJOY?

Keto Low-Carb Tuna Cheddar Pasta Casserole

Keto Crock Pot or Instant Pot Recipes

Keto Low-Carb Turkey Pot Pie

Keto Low-Carb Zoodle Caprese Salad

WHAT IS SHARI MAC’S PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION FOR YOUR KETO LOW-CARB DIET?

I wanted to share with you the BEST thing you can do for yourself to support your Keto Low-Carb diet.  Invest in a Vitamix Blender!  I stand behind this product 100%.  This Vitamix is a long-term investment worth every dollar! I use this Vitamix for almost daily all of my Keto diet needs – smoothies, ice cream blends, hot soups (made right in the Vitamix), sauces, and more!  Every other blender I purchased before my Vitamix failed within a couple of years.  This blender is a work horse. My best-friend has had her Vitamix for over 20 years with NO issues!  I just got my Vitamix this past year and LOVE IT!

HOW DO YOU PREPARE KETO LOW-CARB MATZO BALL SOUP?

In a food processor combine all Matzo Balls ingredients and mix into a dough.  Cover and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Scoop out of dough about 1 heaping tablespoon and roll into a golf-sized ball. Set aside. Repeat and use up all the dough. Make about 12 to 14.

Boil Matzo dumplings for about 30 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Chop up onion, carrot, and celery for soup.

Saute vegetables until soft. Remove from heat.

Heat broth.

Add broth, cooked chicken, and dumplings to pan with vegetables. Heat and serve.

Add vegetables, chicken, dumplings to broth. Heat and serve.

 

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