‘Zeama’ – Moldovan Chicken Noodle Soup
A traditional Moldovan soup called zeama. It's comparable to chicken noodle soup, but with a slightly sour flavor. Chicken, chopped vegetables (such as onions, carrots, bell peppers, and potatoes), and handmade noodles are the main ingredients in this soup. The sour overtones are created by adding 'borș acru de casa' (a liquid component made from fermented wheat or barley bran that most people buy rather than manufacture at home) or lemon juice. Depending on your preferences, Zeama is generally served with sour cream, toast, and fiery chili peppers.
Ingredients
- 1 small chicken cut up, 12 cups water, 1 onion diced, 1 carrot cut into bite size pieces, 1 large tomato diced, 2 cups egg noodles, 3 Tablespoons of lemon juice, 1/2 cup parsley fresh chopped, 1/2 cup dill weed chopped, 3 Tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice., Salt and pepper to taste, thyme sprigs 1 per serving to garnish, lemon wedge to garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot put in the chicken pieces and 12 cups of water
- Bring to a boil gently and start removing the froth as it rises to the top, just skim it off with a spoon.
- Add the chopped onion, tomato, carrot and lovage or celery leaf along with some salt and pepper
- Cook until chicken is cooked through and then add the egg noodles and lemon juice.
- After about 5 minutes add the parsley and dill weed. Cover the pan and remove from heat and let sit covered to let the flavors mix together.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh thyme sprig and lemon slice
- Serve warm with cornbread.
