Active Time

　　40 Minutes

　　Total Time

　　65 Minutes

　　Nigella seeds can be hard to find; look for them in Indian or Middle Eastern markets, or find them easily online at www.worldspice.com.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

　　

For the matzo ball dough:

1 1/4 cups matzo meal

　　2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

　　2 teaspoons fine sea salt

　　1/4 teaspoon finely ground cubeb pepper (available from www.laboiteny.com) or black pepper

　　1 tablespoon nigella or black-sesame seeds

　　1 large egg

　　

For the filling:

1/4 pound ground chicken

　　1/8 teaspoon ground fennel

　　1/2 teaspoon orgeat (almond syrup), or 1 drop almond extract

　　1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

　　1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

　　

For the broth:

1/3 cup olive oil or rendered chicken schmaltz

　　2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 1-inch matchsticks

　　2 Golden Delicious apples, peeled and cut into 1-inch matchsticks

　　2 1/2 tablespoons Calvados (apple brandy)

　　3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, for serving

　　2 teaspoons nigella or black-sesame seeds, for garnish

　　

Make the matzo balls:

Step 1

In a medium bowl, combine the matzo meal, oil, salt, pepper, and nigella seeds. Add 1 cup boiling water and mix well to incorporate. Add the egg, incorporating quickly to avoid partially cooking it. Using wet hands, form the dough into 12 equal-size disks and reserve.

　　

Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, fennel, orgeat or almond extract, salt, and pepper. Using wet hands, form the mixture into 12 equal-size balls. Place a ball of filling on a matzo-meal disk and pinch and roll the edges together to form a ball. Repeat with remaining filling and matzo-meal disks.

　　

Cook the matzo balls:

Step 3

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Gently add the stuffed matzo balls, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until matzo balls are cooked through and float, 20 to 25 minutes.

　　

Cook the apples:

Step 4

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the apples and sauté until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add the Calvados and stir, scraping up any bits on the bottom of the pan, until most of the Calvados has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Remove apples from pan and reserve.

　　

Assemble the soup:

Step 5

In a pot, heat the broth until just simmering. Divide the apples among four soup bowls, then ladle broth and matzo balls into each bowl. Garnish with nigella seeds before serving.