Avgolemono

[I’ve posted already my version of Greek Lemon Egg Drop Soup, but reader Dovid R. – from Baltimore – sent us his recipe and the accompanying photo. I found it a delicious variation! CS]

Avgolemono – Greek Lemon Egg Drop Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 6 cups chicken broth *
• 1/2 cup long grain white rice
• 4 egg yolks, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest, finely chopped
• Salt and ground white pepper
• 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

Directions

1. Bring the broth to a boil over medium heat in a large pot. Add rice and cook uncovered, until tender, about 15 minutes.
2. In a bowl, whisk the eggs together with egg yolks, lemon juice and lemon zest. Constantly whisking, slowly pour 1 cup of the hot broth into the egg mixture. Reduce heat under broth to medium-low and slowly stir in the egg mixture into the pot. Cook, stirring, until the soup is slightly thickened, 3-4 minutes. Do not let it boil.
3. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with the parsley and serve immediately.

0o-x-m-x-o0

* Chicken Broth

Yield: 16 cups

Ingredients

• 1 small bunch (about 1/2 oz) Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 pound hen, cleaned and cut into four pieces
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 1 large carrot
• 4 bay leaves
• 12 black peppercorns
• 4 cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Place the celery and peppercorns on a piece of cheesecloth, then using kitchen string, tie the ends of the cheesecloth together to make a bag.
2. Place 16 cups water in a large pot. Add all other ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 4 hours, skimming the surface occasionally to catch and discard the residue and foam. Add extra water to the broth, making sure the original level of broth is maintained throughout.
4. Drain the stock through a strainer discarding the vegetables and reserving the flesh for further use in other recipes.

The chicken stock can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen up to 30 days.

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy! I tried it last night and found delicious.

CS