Meatball soup with pickled cabbage juice

Meatball soup with sauerkraut juice

Meatball soup is a traditional dish that brings nostalgia and childhood memories. This recipe combines the rich taste of tender meatballs with the distinct aroma of vegetables and the tangy sauerkraut juice, providing a comforting meal full of flavor. Get ready to transform simple ingredients into something truly special!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients for meatballs:
- 500 g ground pork
- 100 g rice (about one cup)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 heaping tablespoon of flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon of thyme powder

Ingredients for soup:
- 1 medium onion
- 1 large carrot
- 1 bell pepper (preferably red for a more vibrant color)
- A small head of celery
- 100 g rice (about a handful)
- 500 ml tomato juice
- 600 ml sauerkraut juice
- Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation of meatballs:
1. Start by washing the rice well under cold water, then drain it in a sieve. This step is essential to remove excess starch, which could make the meatballs too sticky.
2. In a large bowl, add the ground pork, drained rice, eggs, flour, salt, pepper, and thyme powder. Mix everything with your hands, kneading the ingredients well until you get a homogeneous mixture. Don't be afraid to get a little messy; kneading is key to achieving fluffy meatballs.
3. From the formed mixture, take small amounts and shape them into balls the size of a walnut, which you can lightly dust with flour to prevent them from sticking together.

Preparation of soup:
1. Finely chop the onion, carrot, bell pepper, and celery. These vegetables will give a special flavor to your soup.
2. In a large pot, add a little oil and sauté the chopped vegetables for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
3. Add salt and 2 liters of water and let the soup simmer on low heat. It is important not to boil on high heat to allow the vegetables to release their flavors.
4. When the vegetables are almost cooked, add the rice and tomato juice, continuing to boil the soup.
5. Carefully add the formed meatballs to the soup. Let them boil until they all rise to the surface, which means they are ready. This is a magical moment when the meatballs become fluffy and absorb the flavors of the soup.
6. Finally, pour the sauerkraut juice into the soup and let it boil for another 5 minutes. This ingredient provides a pleasant acidity and a unique taste to your soup.

Serving:
Serve the soup hot, sprinkled with freshly chopped green lovage on top. This adds a touch of freshness and a subtle flavor that perfectly complements the dish.

Practical tips:
- Choose ground pork with a moderate fat content to achieve juicy meatballs. You can also experiment with ground beef or a mix of pork and beef.
- If you like more flavorful meatballs, you can add crushed garlic or herbs such as parsley or dill to the meat mixture.
- For a heartier version, you can also add diced potatoes to the soup.

Calories and nutritional benefits:
A serving of meatball soup contains approximately 350-400 calories, depending on the ingredients used. It is a good source of protein due to the meat and rice, as well as vitamins and minerals from the vegetables. Sauerkraut juice is rich in probiotics, beneficial for digestion.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I replace sauerkraut juice with something else?
Yes, if you do not have sauerkraut juice, you can use lemon juice or vinegar to add acidity, but the taste will be different.
- Can I freeze meatball soup?
Meatball soup can be frozen, but it is recommended to do so without the sauerkraut juice, which you can add later when reheating.

Serving suggestions:
Meatball soup pairs perfectly with a slice of fresh homemade bread or soft polenta. Additionally, a glass of white wine or a cold beer can excellently accompany this dish.

This recipe for meatball soup with sauerkraut juice is not just a meal, but a culinary experience that brings family and friends together around the table. With every bite, you will feel the warmth and care passed down through traditions, offering a meal that is not only nourishing but also full of love.

 Ingredients: meatballs: 0.5 kg minced meat (pork) 1 cup of rice 2 eggs 1 tablespoon of flour pepper salt/delikat 1 teaspoon of thyme powder soup: 1 onion 1 carrot 1 bell pepper a small head of celery 1 handful of rice 500 ml tomato juice 600 ml sour cabbage juice salt pepper

 Tags:  meatball soup