Meatball soup
Meatball Soup - A Caloric and Comforting Delight
Total preparation time: 1 hour
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Number of servings: 6
Meatball soup is a traditional dish loved by many generations, bringing together rich flavors and healthy ingredients. This soup is perfect for chilly days or when we want to indulge in a comforting meal. Its history is lost in the mists of time, but what we know is that every housewife has her own recipe, with secrets passed down through generations.
The ingredients needed for this recipe are simple yet essential for achieving a tasty and flavorful meatball soup. Before you start, make sure you have all the ingredients at hand to make the cooking process more enjoyable and efficient.
Ingredients
- 300 g ground beef
- 100 g rice
- 4 potatoes
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 carrot
- 1 large onion
- 100 ml oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 lemon
- 1 egg yolk
- 100 ml sour cream
- Salt, pepper to taste
- Paprika to taste
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh dill
- Fresh lovage
Preparing the soup
1. Preparing the vegetables: Start by peeling the vegetables. Dice the onion, carrot, red and green peppers into small cubes. This will allow the flavors to combine better during cooking. You can cut the potatoes into cubes, but make sure they are not too large to cook evenly.
2. Sautéing the vegetables: In a large pan, add the oil and heat it over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it becomes translucent. Add the remaining vegetables (carrot, peppers) and sauté them lightly for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step is essential as sautéing helps to intensify the flavors.
3. Adding the tomato paste: Once the vegetables are sautéed, add the tomato paste and mix well. Turn off the heat and transfer the vegetable mixture to a larger pot.
4. Boiling the soup: In the same pot, add the diced potatoes and enough water to cover the ingredients. Place the pot over medium heat and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are almost cooked.
Preparing the meatballs
5. Mixing the ingredients for the meatballs: In a large bowl, add the ground meat. Rinse the rice under cold water and drain it well, then add it to the meat. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika, then add the finely chopped parsley. Mix all the ingredients well with wet hands to avoid sticking.
6. Shaping the meatballs: With wet hands, form medium-sized meatballs and place them on a plate. This step can be very fun, especially if you involve the kids in the process!
Finishing the soup
7. Adding the meatballs: When the soup starts to boil, reduce the heat to low and carefully add the meatballs without stirring. This will help the meatballs keep their shape. Also, add the chopped dill and lovage. Let everything simmer for 20-25 minutes.
8. Finishing the soup: When the meatballs are cooked, turn off the heat. Season the soup with salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste.
9. Adding the sour cream: In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk with the sour cream, then add the mixture to the soup. This step not only enriches the flavor of the soup but also gives it a creamy texture. Cover the pot and let it sit for 15 minutes before serving.
Serving
The meatball soup is served hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley. You can add a slice of lemon to each plate for an extra touch of freshness. It is delicious alongside fresh bread or crispy croutons.
Useful tips
- Variations of ingredients: You can use pork or chicken instead of beef, and for a vegetarian option, you can replace the meat with mushrooms or chopped vegetables.
- Calories and nutritional benefits: A serving of meatball soup contains about 300-350 calories, being rich in protein and vitamins due to the vegetables. This soup is filling and provides essential nutrients.
- Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use brown rice? Yes, but the cooking time of the soup will be longer, as brown rice takes more time to cook.
- How can I store the soup? Meatball soup can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. It can be frozen for later consumption, but it is recommended to add the sour cream after thawing.
Meatball soup is a dish that will not only delight your taste buds but will also bring a touch of comfort on busy days. Enjoy every step of the cooking process and don’t hesitate to put your personal touch on the recipe!
Ingredients: 300 g ground beef, 100 g rice, salt, pepper, bell pepper, 4 potatoes, 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, 1 carrot, 1 large onion, fresh parsley, fresh dill, fresh lovage, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 lemon, 100 ml oil, 1 egg yolk, 100 ml sour cream
