Gefullte Fish

Directions

1. 1
   Rinse the fish fillets under cold running water, place in a bowl, sprinkle lightly with coarse salt, and store in the refrigerator for 4 or 5 hours or overnight, before beginning the preparation.
2. 2
   Place all the trimmings in a separate bowl, salt, and store in the same way.
3. 3
   Set the roe aside until ready to use.
4. 4
   When you begin the preparation, rinse the fish and trimmings and drain well.
5. 5
   Place all the trimmings In the bottom of a wide, 3- to 3 1/2-quart Dutch oven-type pot.
6. 6
   Set aside.
7. 7
   Chop all the fish together, either by hand, using a round wooden bowl and a half-moon chopper, or by putting it through the fine blade of a grinder.
8. 8
   Grind or chop the two large onions along with it.
9. 9
   Then grind all again, or keep chopping until smooth.
10. 10
    Stir in the eggs, ice water, salt, pepper, and matzoh meal.
11. 11
    Mix well.
12. 12
    The consistency should be soft and thick, somewhat like thick, cooked oatmeal.
13. 13
    If you want to taste for seasoning, pinch off a small amount of fish, about the size of a hazelnut, and cook it in simmering salted water.
14. 14
    Cool quickly in the freezer and taste.
15. 15
    (Do not taste the fish raw, as it is freshwater fish and may be dangerous in an uncooked state.)
16. 16
    Add salt or pepper to the raw mix as needed.
17. 17
    Slice the very large or medium onions in thin rounds and add to the pot with the fish trimmings.
18. 18
    Pour in enough water to come very slightly above the onions; this should be between 4 and 6 cups.
19. 19
    Shape the fish into slightly oval or round balls, each using about 2 tablespoons of fish.
20. 20
    Shape with wet hands or with two wet tablespoons.
21. 21
    Gently place the fish balls on top of the onion bed.
22. 22
    Cover and bring to a boil, then lower the heat, and with cover slightly askew, simmer gently but steadily for 1 hour.
23. 23
    Add the knob celery, if you have it, along with the carrots and roe.
24. 24
    Taste the broth and add a little salt and pepper if needed, and a tiny pinch of sugar if the broth is unpleasantly sharp.
25. 25
    Cover and continue cooking at a steady simmer for another hour.
26. 26
    If the pieces of fish are touching and seem to stick together when first placed in the pot, dont worry.
27. 27
    As they cook you will be able to separate them merely by shaking the pot gently several times during cooking.
28. 28
    Let the fish cool in the broth.
29. 29
    When cool, gently lift the pieces out and place in a dish that is 2 or 3 inches deep and large enough to accommodate the fish in a single layer.
30. 30
    Strain the fish stock and reserve.
31. 31
    Pick out a few of the onions and carrots and strew them over the fish and roe.
32. 32
    Pour the strained stock over all and chill in the refrigerator.
33. 33
    The fish tastes better if it stands overnight, although it can also be served freshly made and hot, something I detest.
34. 34
    The fish broth should jell.
35. 35
    Serve, diced, with the fish and a piece of carrot, onion, and roe, and, of course, with horseradish, red or white.
36. 36
    Matzohs are also a standard accompaniment.
37. 37
    Stored in the refrigerator, the fish will keep for 3 to 5 days, and possibly even a week.