Persian Gundi Soup with Chickpea Chicken Meatballs
Experience the comforting warmth of Persian Gundi Soup, a delightful combination of tender chicken meatballs made from ground chicken and chickpea flour, simmered in a rich, aromatic broth. This stew is infused with the flavors of turmeric and coriander, creating a nourishing meal perfect for any gathering. Serve it with a side of fresh bread or rice to soak up the flavorful broth, making it an ideal dish for family dinners or special occasions. Enjoy this healthy and hearty soup that brings a touch of Persian cuisine to your table.
N/A
Servings
400
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
canola oil
1/4 cup (divided, for cooking)
chicken wings
1 lb (seasoned with salt and pepper)
kosher salt
to taste
freshly ground black pepper
to taste
onions
3 medium (2 roughly chopped, 1 minced)
carrots
3 medium (roughly chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (crushed)
chicken stock
8 cups
bay leaf
1
ground chicken
1 1/2 lbs
chickpea flour
1 1/2 cups
ground turmeric
2 1/2 teaspoons
ground coriander
2 teaspoons
baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons
ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
1
In an 8-quart saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of canola oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken wings with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, and add them to the pan. Brown the wings, turning them occasionally for about 13 minutes.
2
Once browned, add the roughly chopped onions, chopped carrots, and crushed garlic to the saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 8 minutes.
3
Pour in the chicken stock, then add the bay leaf and additional salt. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil before reducing the heat to medium. Let it simmer for about 25 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the broth to slightly reduce.
4
Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Return the clear broth to the saucepan and keep it warm over low heat.
5
In a separate 12-inch skillet, heat the remaining canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent. Transfer the cooked onion to a mixing bowl.
6
In the bowl, combine the ground chicken, chickpea flour, 2 ½ teaspoons of ground turmeric, ground coriander, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda, and ground cardamom. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
7
With wet hands, divide the mixture into six equal portions and shape each portion into a 3-inch meatball.
8
Bring the chicken broth back to a gentle simmer. Carefully add the meatballs to the broth. Cover the pot partially and cook for about 17 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and firm to the touch.
9
To serve, ladle the broth and meatballs generously into six bowls, making sure to include plenty of the aromatic broth in each serving.
Nutrition Information
16.7g
Fat
36.7g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Persian Gundi Soup?
Persian Gundi Soup is a comforting and aromatic dish featuring tender meatballs made from ground chicken and chickpea flour simmered in a rich broth infused with turmeric and coriander.
What are the primary ingredients in Gundi meatballs?
The meatballs are composed of ground chicken, chickpea flour, minced onions, ground turmeric, ground coriander, baking soda, and ground cardamom.
How do you prepare the broth for this soup?
The broth is made by browning chicken wings in canola oil, then sautéing chopped onions, carrots, and garlic before simmering them with chicken stock and a bay leaf.
Why is baking soda included in the meatball mixture?
Baking soda is added to the ground chicken and chickpea flour mixture to help create a lighter and firmer texture in the meatballs.
How many calories are in a serving of Persian Gundi Soup?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
This recipe provides 30g of protein per serving.
How much fat and carbohydrates are in the soup?
The soup contains 16.7g of fat and 36.7g of carbohydrates per serving.
How long should you brown the chicken wings?
The chicken wings should be browned for about 13 minutes, turning them occasionally.
Is the broth strained before adding the meatballs?
Yes, the broth is strained through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the solid vegetables and wings before the meatballs are added.
How many meatballs does this recipe make?
The mixture is divided into six equal portions to create six 3-inch meatballs.
How long do the Gundi meatballs need to cook?
The meatballs should cook in the simmering broth for about 17 minutes until they are firm and cooked through.
What is the best way to serve Gundi Soup?
It is traditionally served in bowls with plenty of broth and accompanied by fresh bread or rice.
What spices give the soup its signature flavor?
The aromatic flavor comes from a combination of ground turmeric, ground coriander, and ground cardamom.
How many onions are required for the recipe?
The recipe calls for three medium onions: two are roughly chopped for the broth and one is minced for the meatballs.
Can I use a different type of oil for cooking?
The recipe specifies canola oil, but you can use other neutral cooking oils with high smoke points.
Is garlic used in this Persian soup?
Yes, two crushed garlic cloves are added to the broth base for extra flavor.
What size of saucepan is recommended?
An 8-quart saucepan is recommended for preparing the broth and simmering the soup.
How much chickpea flour is needed?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of chickpea flour for the meatball mixture.
What kind of chicken is used for the meatball base?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 lbs of ground chicken for the meatballs.
Do you need to use chicken wings?
Yes, one pound of chicken wings is used to build a deep, savory flavor in the initial broth.
How much chicken stock is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 cups of chicken stock.
Why should you use wet hands to shape the meatballs?
Using wet hands prevents the ground chicken and chickpea flour mixture from sticking to your skin while shaping.
What are the preparation steps for the carrots?
Three medium carrots should be roughly chopped and cooked with the broth vegetables.
Is Persian Gundi Soup considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a healthy and nourishing meal featuring lean protein and fiber-rich chickpea flour.
How much turmeric is added to the meatballs?
The recipe uses 2 1/2 teaspoons of ground turmeric in the meatball mixture.
Are there any specific seasonings for the wings?
The chicken wings are seasoned with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper before browning.
What is the purpose of the skillet in this recipe?
A 12-inch skillet is used to sauté the minced onion before it is mixed into the meatball dough.
Does the soup contain any herbs?
A bay leaf is used during the broth-making process to add subtle herbal notes.
What is the total number of ingredients in this dish?
The recipe uses 15 specific ingredients.
What is the texture of Gundi meatballs?
They are tender yet firm to the touch once fully cooked in the broth.