If you’ve never tasted Gondi Recipe, prepare to fall in love with one of Persian cuisine’s most soulful comfort foods. Often described as Iran’s answer to matzo ball soup, this traditional dish features tender dumplings made from ground chicken (or turkey) and chickpea flour, gently simmered in golden, aromatic broth. The result? A bowl that’s as warm and nurturing as a grandmother’s hug, especially on Shabbat or during festive gatherings.
Gondi holds deep roots in the Persian Jewish community, particularly in Tehran, where it’s been passed down through generations. Each bite is infused with spices like cardamom, turmeric, and black pepper, a fragrant reminder of Iranian culinary richness. While it’s a staple for Friday night dinners and holidays like Purim, Gondi is gaining recognition worldwide for its wholesome simplicity and rich cultural story.
Beyond tradition, what makes the Gondi recipe shine is its versatility. Whether you serve it in a clear chicken broth with a sprig of parsley, alongside rice, or with a squeeze of lemon, it adapts to your mood and season. It’s hearty without being heavy, gluten-free by nature, and surprisingly easy to make, no rolling pins, no fancy gadgets, just love and ladles.
- Origins of the Gondi Recipe
- Health Benefits of Gondi
- Key Ingredients for the Perfect Gondi Recipe
- Tips & Tricks for the Fluffiest Gondi Dumplings
- Gondi Recipe From OoohDelish!
- Share Your Twist on This Gondi Recipe!
- FAQs: Gondi Recipe
Origins of the Gondi Recipe
The story of Gondi begins in the heart of the Persian Jewish community, particularly in cities like Tehran and Isfahan, where this humble dish has long been a Friday night staple. Gondi dumplings, tender balls made from ground chicken or turkey and chickpea flour, were traditionally served in rich chicken broth as the first course of Shabbat dinner, carrying generations of tradition and warmth.
Unlike many Persian dishes that crossed into Jewish kitchens, Gondi is one of the few recipes believed to be uniquely Jewish-Persian. It reflects the resourcefulness of families who created deeply flavorful meals from modest ingredients. The addition of warming spices like turmeric and cardamom gave these dumplings their signature fragrance and golden glow, a nod to Persian culinary heritage wrapped in Jewish soul food tradition.
Today, Gondi has grown beyond its quiet fame in Iran’s Jewish households. It’s featured in global food publications and embraced by a new generation rediscovering ancestral flavors. Whether you call it the “Persian matzo ball” or simply “Gondi,” this dish remains a powerful symbol of cultural fusion, comfort, and identity.
Health Benefits of Gondi
Beyond its comforting taste and cultural depth, the Gondi recipe offers surprising nutritional benefits. Thanks to its protein-rich base of ground chicken (or turkey) and chickpea flour, it’s naturally gluten-free, filling, and packed with nutrients that support muscle repair, immune health, and digestion.
The use of spices like turmeric and cardamom doesn’t just add flavor, they also bring anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to your bowl. Whether you’re recovering from illness or simply seeking something nourishing, Gondi delivers a warm, wholesome boost.
For a deeper look at the health profile of ingredients like chickpeas and poultry, you can check out guide to chickpeas.
Nutritional Highlights Table
| Ingredient | Health Benefit |
|---|---|
| Ground Chicken | High in lean protein, supports muscle health and satiety |
| Chickpea Flour | Gluten-free, high in fiber, aids digestion and blood sugar control |
| Turmeric | Anti-inflammatory, supports joint and heart health |
| Cardamom | Aids digestion, has antioxidant and antimicrobial effects |
| Chicken Broth | Hydrating, contains collagen and minerals for joint and gut health |
| Onion | Contains prebiotics, supports immune health |
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Gondi Recipe
Simple pantry staples. Big Persian flavor.
Making a traditional Gondi recipe doesn’t require fancy ingredients, just honest, flavorful ones. These dumplings are all about balance: protein from chicken, richness from eggs, and that magical touch of chickpea flour (also called besan), which gives Gondi its signature texture and nuttiness.
Let’s break it down:
- Ground Chicken or Turkey – The protein-packed base. Light yet hearty.
- Chickpea Flour – Naturally gluten-free and full of fiber, this is the secret binder.
- Grated Onion – Adds sweetness, moisture, and depth.
- Eggs – A binder and softener, keeping everything tender inside.
- Turmeric & Cardamom – For warmth, golden color, and Persian soul.
- Salt & Optional Olive Oil – Just enough to balance and enrich.
- Bay Leaves (for the broth) – They turn the cooking liquid into a fragrant hug.
These ingredients combine into something far greater than the sum of their parts, comforting, aromatic, and deeply rooted in heritage.
Tips & Tricks for the Fluffiest Gondi Dumplings
1. Grate that onion like a pro.
Don’t chop it, grate it. You want onion juice in your mix. It adds moisture and melts into the dumpling, so there are no weird chunks.
2. Rest your mix before rolling.
Let the dough chill in the fridge for at least 15–30 minutes. This helps everything bind better and gives you dumplings that don’t fall apart in the broth. Trust the chill.
3. Keep your hands wet.
When shaping the Gondi balls, wet your hands with water or oil to keep the mix from sticking like it has a clingy ex. Smooth hands, smooth dumplings.
4. Don’t boil, simmer.
If the broth is boiling too hard, your Gondi might break apart. Keep the heat at a gentle simmer so they cook tenderly and hold their shape like champs.
5. Add a pinch of baking powder (optional).
Some cooks swear by this for extra fluffiness, a, ut ¼ tsp per pound of meat. Totally optional, but it works if you want them extra pillowy.
6. Want a richer broth? Roast your chicken bones.
If you’re starting your own broth, roasting the chicken or using roasted bones gives your soup depth and a golden color that’s next-level.
Gondi Recipe From OoohDelish!
Gondi Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large pot For simmering the dumplings
- 1 Mixing bowl To combine the ingredients
- 1 Grater To grate the onion
- 1 Measuring spoons For accurate spice measurement
- 1 Spoon or scoop To shape the dumplings
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground chicken or turkey
- 1 Onion grated
- 1 cup Chickpea flour also called besan
- 2 Eggs lightly beaten
- 1 tsp Turmeric
- ½ tsp Ground cardamom
- 1 tsp Salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp Baking powder optional, for fluffier texture
- 1 Bay leaf for the broth
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, grated onion, chickpea flour, eggs, turmeric, cardamom, salt, and baking powder if using. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to firm up and let flavors meld.
- With wet hands, shape the mixture into walnut-sized dumplings. Set them aside.
- In a large pot, bring water or broth to a gentle simmer with a bay leaf. Carefully drop in the dumplings and simmer for 45 minutes, until fully cooked.
Notes
- These can also be made ahead and frozen raw. Drop frozen Gondi straight into simmering broth just increase cooking time slightly.
- To make it part of a full meal, serve with flatbread, fresh herbs, and lemon wedges on the side.
Share Your Twist on This Gondi Recipe!
Did you make your Gondi recipe with turkey instead of chicken? Tossed in fresh herbs? Maybe served it with lavash or added a spicy kick to the broth? We’d love to know!
📸 Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using #OoohDelishTwist your take might be featured in our next dumpling roundup!
💌 Got a secret family version of this Persian classic? Send it to contact@ooohdelish.com we’re always inspired by your delicious creativity!
FAQs: Gondi Recipe
What is a traditional Gondi recipe?
A traditional Gondi recipe is a Persian-Jewish comfort food made with ground chicken, chickpea flour, and spices like turmeric and cardamom, simmered gently in broth.
Can I make this Gondi recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can! Gondi is typically made with chickpea flour, which is naturally gluten-free. Just double-check any broth or add-ins you use.
Can I freeze dumplings from this Gondi recipe?
Absolutely. After shaping the dumplings, freeze them raw on a tray. When you’re ready, cook them straight from the freezer in simmering broth.
What’s the best way to serve a Gondi recipe?
Serve it hot in its fragrant broth, ideally with fresh herbs, lemon wedges, and soft flatbread on the side for dipping.
What broth works best for a Gondi recipe?
Homemade chicken broth with a bay leaf and a pinch of saffron gives the best flavor. But a good quality store-bought broth also works in a pinch!
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