Taste With The Eyes

Matzo Ball Recipes Collection

Matzo Ball Recipes Collection 🍲 🫓 🐓

Over the years, I’ve made hundreds of matzo balls—mostly traditional, but often with a twist. In this collection, you’ll find nine of my favorites: saffron, horseradish & chives, Mexican and Vietnamese variations, fancy fried matzo balls, a turkey-flavored version, and even one finished with edible flowers. Some are kosher for Passover, while others are variations meant for experimenting outside this holiday.

At the end of the post, I’m sharing my tips and secrets for making great matzo balls every time, whether you’re trying one of my recipes or your own family favorite.

Matzo Ball Recipes Collection

Matzo ball soup has become a familiar part of many Seder tables, even though it’s not required or mentioned in the Haggadah. For Ashkenazi Jews, it grew out of a simple idea: take matzo, the Passover staple, and turn it into something warm, tender, and satisfying. Dumplings made from matzo meal simmer in savory chicken broth, creating a dish that has become beloved over generations.

And beyond tradition, matzo ball soup is simply delicious. The broth is rich and flavorful, and the dumplings are light yet satisfying, soaking up every drop of goodness. Whether airy or a bit denser, it’s a dish that everyone enjoys as part of the Seder experience—while the story of Passover remains at the heart of the table. ❤️

Matzo Ball Recipes

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Kimchi Cheddar Hot Dog

Kimchi Cheddar Hot Dog
🌭 🌶️ 🥔
Seaweed Gochugaru Potato Chips

This is the kind of hot dog that leans fully into bold, layered flavor—where every element has a purpose. There’s warm, sautéed kimchi for funk, a swipe of gochujang mayo for heat and creamy notes, and a fine shred of cabbage that keeps everything crisp and balanced. The cheddar melts just enough over the hot dog to soften into the kimchi, while scallions and sesame seeds add that final fresh, nutty finish. It’s a combination that feels a little indulgent, a little punchy, and very hard to stop eating.

On the side, the seaweed gochugaru potato chips echo similar flavors in a lighter, snackable way. The roasted seaweed—pulsed into delicate flakes—clings to the chips along with a dusting of gochugaru, giving them a subtle briny note and and a bit of fire. Paired with an ice-cold Hite lager, it all comes together as an easy, casual meal. It’s the kind of plate that works very well for serving outdoors, where the contrast of cold beer, hot spices, and crisp salty textures really shines.

Gochujang is a Korean red chili paste with sweet heat and a fermented umami richness. It has a balanced fruitiness, slight smokiness and depth of flavor from the sun-dried Korean red peppers. Gochugaru, also made from sun-dried red peppers, is a coarse-ground chili powder. Together, they give this hot dog plate its distinctive Korean spiciness.

Hot Dog and Chips Recipes

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Gochujang Jjigae – A Spicy Vegan Stew

Gochujang Jjigae - A Spicy Vegan Stew

Gochujang Jjigae – A Spicy Vegan Stew
🍲 🌶️ 🥬 🥔 🍲
With Collards, Potatoes, and Tofu

Gochujang jjigae is a classic Korean stew, brimming with bold fermented flavors, tender vegetables, and usually some type of protein—meat, seafood, or tofu.

Traditionally, Korean stews rely on leafy greens like napa cabbage, radish greens, or spinach, but in this version, I’ve added collard greens. They aren’t commonly found in Korean cooking, yet their sturdy leaves and mild brassica flavor make them surprisingly compatible with the rich, spicy broth.

Collards soften beautifully during simmering while contributing a subtle sweetness that balances the depth of the gochujang and doenjang. They also hold their shape well, giving each spoonful a satisfying bite. Beyond flavor, collard greens are packed with vitamins K, A, and C, along with fiber, calcium, and antioxidants, making this stew not only comforting but nourishing as well.

Tender potatoes add body to the stew, while tofu soaks up the spicy, savory broth, creating a hearty, well-rounded dish. Finished with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil, a sprinkling of scallions, and a few grinds of black pepper, this gochujang jjigae is a vibrant, warming bowl that’s perfect served alongside steamed white rice. It’s a simple, vegan-friendly way to experience bold Korean flavors with an unexpected leafy green twist.

Vegan Gochujang Jjigae Recipe

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Duck Legs, Butter Masala Sauce

Duck Legs, Butter Masala Sauce
🦆 🧈 🍅
White Rice, Pomegranate Arils, Cashews

This vibrant bowl pairs succulent duck legs with a silky butter masala sauce, served over fluffy white rice and finished with lively garnishes. Jewel-like pomegranate arils add sweet-tart brightness, cashews contribute satisfying nutty crunch, and fresh cilantro brings a final lift of herbal freshness. The colors alone make the dish striking on the plate, while the flavors come together in a harmonious balance of savory, tangy, creamy, and crisp.

The beauty of this recipe is how quickly it comes together. The duck legs—found in the refrigerated section at Costco—are fully cooked using the sous vide method. Vacuum-sealed and cooked to a precise time and temperature, they simply need to be reheated before serving, making them perfect for an easy but impressive meal.

Gymkhana—the celebrated Indian restaurant from London—recently opened a location in Las Vegas and has begun selling their premium sauces in the United States. They are even offering one of their jaunty serving dishes from Burleigh Pottery as well. Naturally, I couldn’t resist.

Duck Legs, Butter Masala Sauce This dish brings together two of my recent recipes:

Back in January I shared my Butter Masala Chicken Bowl with Green Herb Chutney and Yogurt using Gymkhana’s superb Butter Masala Mild Simmer Sauce. Then in February I posted Char Siu Duck Legs over Braised Cabbage after discovering those convenient sous vide duck legs at Costco. This new recipe combines those two ideas: the richly spiced butter masala sauce paired with succulent duck legs and steamed white rice.

Duck Legs, Butter Masala Sauce

The result is both comforting and elegant. The warm spices and gentle creaminess of the sauce complement the natural depth of the duck, while the rice provides a soft, neutral base. Pomegranate arils and cashews add sparkle and texture, so each bite offers something a little different. It’s a quick dish that feels thoughtfully composed—and looks beautiful when served.

Duck Legs, Butter Masala Sauce Recipe

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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
🍋 🐓 🍲 🥕 🌿
With Carrots, Dill, and Parmesan

Bright with lemon and fresh dill, this comforting chicken dish falls somewhere between a hearty soup and a light stew. Everything comes together easily in one pot, making it a good choice for serving a crowd.

For our recent dinner party, we started with a goat cheese and vegetable salad dressed with an orange-balsamic vinaigrette—served alongside homemade artisan bread—then followed with the hot soup as a second course for a relaxed, satisfying meal. A chilled glass of Petit Chablis Domaine L. Chatelain 2024 was a perfect match, its crisp citrus and mineral notes complementing the lemony broth and fresh dill.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe

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