Zeamă Moldovenească
Zeamă is a traditional Moldovan chicken noodle soup, known for its light yet comforting broth and distinct tangy flavor. It's often considered a restorative meal, perfect for any occasion.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 medium Whole chicken(about 1.5-2 kg, cut into pieces)
- 3 liters Water
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and diced)
- 3 medium Potatoes(peeled and diced)
- 1 large Onion(finely chopped)
- 1 medium Green bell pepper(diced)
- 2 large Egg yolks
- 3.5 tbsp All-purpose flour(for noodles)
- 3 tbsp Lemon juice(freshly squeezed, or fermented wheat bran liquid (bors))
- 0.5 cup Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 0.25 cup Fresh dill(chopped)
- 1 Bay leaf
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Wash the chicken pieces and place them in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
- 2
Add the diced carrots, potatoes, green bell pepper, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the pot. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- 3
While the soup simmers, prepare the homemade noodles. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks with 2 tablespoons of water. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a firm dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Let it rest for about 15 minutes, then roll it out thinly and cut into small noodle shapes. Let the noodles dry slightly.
- 4
Once the chicken is cooked, remove the bay leaf. Add the homemade noodles to the soup and cook for about 7-10 minutes, or until tender.
- 5
Stir in the finely chopped onion, chopped parsley, chopped dill, and fresh lemon juice (or bors). Cook for another 5 minutes.
- 6
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Let the soup rest for about 10-15 minutes off the heat before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a clearer broth, ensure you skim off all the foam when the chicken starts boiling.
- ✓Lovage is a traditional herb for Zeamă; if you can find it, add a small bunch along with the parsley and dill.
- ✓Serve hot, optionally with a dollop of sour cream and a side of mămăligă.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include diced tomatoes in the soup.
- For a richer flavor, use a whole chicken with bones.