meatball soup

Meatball soup is a traditional Romanian dish, appreciated for its comforting flavor and for the fact that it can be easily adapted according to personal preferences. This simple and quick recipe will guide you step by step to achieve a delicious soup, with tender and aromatic meatballs. The total preparation time is approximately 1 hour, and the recipe is sufficient for 6 servings.

Ingredients:
- 500 g minced meat (mix of beef, pork or chicken)
- 2 eggs
- 2 medium onions
- 2 carrots
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 zucchini
- 1 parsley root
- 100 g rice (preferably long-grain rice)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 packet of borscht
- Borscht, salt, to taste
- Greens (parsley, lovage, dill) – ½ bunch
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Sour cream (optional, for serving)

Instructions:

1. Start by bringing 2-3 liters of water to a boil in a large pot. Add salt to flavor the soup.

2. While the water is boiling, prepare the meatball mixture. In a large bowl, combine 500 g minced meat with 2 eggs, 1 finely chopped onion, the washed rice (make sure it is clean to avoid sticking), and half of the finely chopped greens. Mix the ingredients well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.

3. Once the water starts to boil, form the meatballs using dampened palms (this trick helps prevent sticking) and carefully drop them into the pot of boiling water.

4. Meanwhile, in a frying pan, add 2 tablespoons of oil and sauté the remaining chopped onion, diced carrots, and bell pepper, along with the grated parsley root. These vegetables will add a rich flavor and pleasant texture to the soup.

5. After about 10 minutes, add the sautéed vegetables to the pot with the meatballs. Let everything simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.

6. Once the meatballs are cooked, add 3 tablespoons of tomato paste and the packet of borscht, adjusting the acidity of the soup to taste. Continue to simmer on low heat for another 10 minutes.

7. Once the soup is ready, sprinkle the remaining greens to enhance the flavors. You can serve the soup both hot and with a spoonful of sour cream for an extra creaminess.

Helpful tips:
- You can experiment with different types of meat for the meatballs, such as turkey or even game meat, for a more gourmet version.
- If you want a spicier soup, you can add a chopped chili pepper or spices like cayenne pepper.
- Vary the vegetables according to the season; potatoes or celery can be an excellent addition.
- If you prefer a heartier soup, you can also add noodles or flour dumplings.

This meatball soup is not just a nourishing dish but also one that brings back memories of family meals and Romanian culinary traditions. Enjoy every spoonful!

 Ingredients: 500 g minced beef, beef mixed with pork or chicken, 2 eggs, 2 onions, 2 carrots, 1 bell pepper, 1 zucchini, 1 parsley root, borscht, salt, herbs, 2 tablespoons of oil, 100 g rice, 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, a packet of borscht, sour cream.