Gefilte Fish
My mother-in-law made these oval gefilte fish balls every Passover and Rosh Hashanah. They were always delicious! The best legacy she left was to teach her sons how to do it, and in turn, they would teach their wives and then the next generation. This has been passed down, and today, it is still appreciated as the Mintz family gefilte fish.
Ingredients
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1 ½ pounds salmon fillets
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1 ½ pounds red snapper fillets
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1 pound black cod fillets
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1 pound ling cod fillets
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4 ½ large onions, divided
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6 carrots, divided
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5 large eggs
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1 ½ tablespoons white sugar
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4 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
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4 teaspoons ground white pepper
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¾ cup ice water
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¾ cup matzo meal, plus more as needed
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4 tablespoons white sugar, divided
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½ teaspoon paprika
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½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Description
- Grind salmon, red snapper, black cod, ling cod, 2 ½ onions, and 4 carrots together. Place mixture into a large wooden bowl. Using a hand chopper, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add 1 ½ tablespoons sugar, 4 teaspoons salt, and white pepper; continue to chop until very well blended. Stir in ice water a little at a time throughout this process. Add matzo meal and chop again until mixture is thick enough to bind together to make a ball; if not, add more matzo meal. Set aside.
- Fill 2 large heavy stockpots half full with water. Slice 1 raw onion and 1 carrot into each stockpot. Add fish skins, if desired.
- Divide 4 tablespoons sugar, paprika, and black pepper evenly between each pot. Season with salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat and let boil for 10 minutes.
- Using wet hands, shape fish mixture into oval-shaped balls and carefully drop into boiling stock.
- Cover the stockpots slightly and cook over medium-low heat for 2 hours. Remove from heat and let balls sit in the pot for 10 minutes.
- Remove balls carefully to containers and strain remaining stock over balls, just barely covering them. Chill in the refrigerator before serving. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.