The Best Matzo Ball Soup in New Orleans
Most of us can agree that when you’re feeling under the weather, nothing soothes the soul quite like a great soup. At the same time, when you don’t feel well, the desire to cook or go to the store is approximately zero. Lucky for you, I have one of the best kept soup secrets in New Orleans! This soup is so good that I keep frozen containers on hand year round.
The good news is that soup freezes extremely well, so it’s generally possible to keep soup on hand, though that requires a little bit of planning. While not that creative of an idea, this is one of my tried and true mom hacks … I always have frozen soup on hand. Some of my soup stockpile is homemade, but in the case of my beloved matzo ball soup, aka the best kept soup secret in New Orleans, I purchase it from a hidden gem in Metairie. Having frozen soup also works well for easy weekday lunches, quick dinners and, of course, unexpected sick days.
When I don’t feel well, or even when I am plain exhausted, matzo ball soup is one of the things I consistently crave. My grandmother lovingly referred to it as “Jewish penicillin,”
although she used to make hers at home from scratch which … I don’t have the patience for. Enter Kosher Cajun Deli, an authentic Kosher New York style deli in Metairie not far fro Lakeside Shopping Center. If you have not been before, you are missing out. Anytime my matzo ball stockpile is running low, I get twitchy and have to make a trip to stock up again. I am a tad neurotic about this because I feel better with several containers on hand, which really is not logical but is something my husband has come to accept about me. My grandmother used to purchase all of her kosher items at Kosher Cajun, so I also remember going with her as a small child many, many times. It truly is a gem of a spot with a diverse selection of kosher groceries, catering and homemade food.
There is no need to order ahead; I simply walk into Kosher Cajun, place my order for four quarts of matzo ball soup at the counter and wait a few minutes. It’s always easy and low stress, and the parking lot is ample. Please note :: Kosher Cajun is closed on Saturdays for Sabbath. I never have to wait more than 5-10 minutes, though if you are there at lunch time of course it can get more crowded. You can also dine in if you would prefer to do that, and they make amazing deli sandwiches, too. Whatever you do, I implore you: take containers of matzo ball soup home and put them in your freezer! You will not regret this decision.
How to Cook Frozen Matzo Ball Soup
On the day I am craving it or just not feeling well, I take the matzo ball soup out of the freezer and let it SLOWLY defrost “naturally” on the kitchen counter. I do not recommend trying to speed up this process, though if you must running it under warm water is best. Once the soup is defrosted, heat it LOW and SLOW on the stovetop. I do not recommend the microwave, and I do not recommend boiling it. I promise that this matzo ball soup is legit, delicious and truly has healing vibes. If you like spice, I also sometimes add hot sauce to mine … but it’s absolutely flavorful enough on it’s own. This is a great gift to bring someone who is under the weather or just had surgery as well; matzo ball soup really is a comfort food without all the heaviness of a casserole.
So there you have it … the one soup all moms should keep on hand! It’s affordable, delicious and much more filling than you’d think. Let me know if you end up trying their matzo ball soup; although I may regret sharing this secret if y’all take it all!
