Avgolemono soup is a classic Greek soup that is made with chicken broth, egg yolks, and lemon juice. The name "avgolemono" comes from the Greek words "avgo" meaning egg and "lemono" meaning lemon. This delicate soup is ideal for any occasion, from simple Sunday family gatherings to special occasions like Christmas and New Year's tables. It is so delicious that it can be the main dish of a cold winter day!
The pronunciation of "avgolemono" is roughly "ahv-goh-LEH-moh-noh". Here is a breakdown of each syllable: "ahv" is pronounced like the "av" in "have", "goh" is pronounced like the "go" in "goat", "LEH" is pronounced like the "le" in "lemon", "moh" is pronounced like the "mo" in "motor", "noh" is pronounced like the "no" in "nope". So altogether, it sounds like "ahv-goh-LEH-moh-noh".
To make avgolemono soup, chicken broth is heated and then tempered with beaten egg yolks and lemon juice. The egg yolks give the soup a creamy and velvety texture, while the lemon juice adds a tangy and bright flavor. The soup is often thickened with starch, such as rice or orzo pasta, which also adds a comforting and hearty texture.
There are many variations of avgolemono soup, and it is a versatile dish that can be adapted to personal taste. Some people add vegetables like carrots, celery, or spinach to the soup, while others prefer to keep it simple with just chicken, rice, and lemon. Overall, avgolemono soup is a delicious and comforting dish that showcases the simple and fresh flavors of Greek cuisine. For this recipe, you need chicken broth, rice, eggs, lemon juice, salt, lemon, and parsley.
An important tip when you are making this traditional avgolemono soupa. Be careful to add the hot broth slowly to the avgolemono mixture, beating all the while. If you add the broth too quickly or don’t keep whisking, the eggs will curdle. This small detail will make the difference!
Avgolemono soup can be frozen. However, it's important to note that the texture of the soup may change slightly upon thawing and reheating. The eggs in the soup may cause it to become slightly grainy or curdled after being frozen and reheated.
To freeze Avgolemono soup, allow it to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container, leaving some space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing. Label the container with the date and contents and place it in the freezer.
When you're ready to enjoy the soup, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat it gently on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent curdling. You may also need to add a little bit of liquid, such as chicken broth or water, to thin out the soup if it has become too thick during freezing and thawing.
This avgolemono soupa takes, which serves 4 persons, takes 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to make.
Soupa Avgolemono - Ingredients
- 900 ml of chicken broth
- 100 g short-grain white rice
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 4 tablespoons of lemon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh parsley for garnish, chopped
Soupa Avgolemono - How to Make
- Take a deep saucepan, add the chicken broth, and bring to a boil over medium temperature. Turn down the heat. Add the rice and stir.
- Cover the pan and allow the soup to simmer for about 12 to 15 minutes or until the rice becomes tender.
- While the rice is cooking, beat the eggs and lemon juice together with a wire whisk. Set aside the avgolemono mixture.
- When the rice is ready, remove the pan from the heat.
- Carefully add two cups of hot broth to the avgolemono mixture, a little at a time, whisking constantly.
- Add the egg mixture to the remaining broth and rice and whisk together.
- Add salt and pepper. Taste and add more salt if needed.
- Serve the soupa avgolemono in soup bowls topped with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley.
Avgolemono soup is a classic Greek dish that can be enjoyed on its own as a light meal or served as a starter course for a larger meal. You can serve this with bread and Greek village salad. Enjoy!