Homemade Matzo Ball Soup

Directions

• Place chicken and water in a 8-qt. soup kettle. Cover and bring to a boil; skim fat. Add carrots, onion and celery. Fold dill in half and wrap many times with thread or kitchen string; add to soup. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover but keep lid ajar and simmer for 2-1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, combine first six matzo ball ingredients in a medium bowl. Add enough water to make a thick pancake-like batter. Refrigerate for 2 hours (mixture thickens as it stands).
• Remove and discard onion, celery and dill from broth. Remove chicken and allow to cool; debone and cut into chunks. Skim fat from broth. Return chicken to kettle. Add the broth, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer.
• To complete matzo balls, bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a 5-qt. Dutch oven. With very wet hands, form heaping teaspoonfuls of batter into balls. If mixture is too thin, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of matzo meal.
• Drop balls into boiling water. They will sink when dropped but will rise in a few minutes. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and add to simmering soup. Add noodles; heat through.