Meatball Soup

 Ingredients: For meatballs: 500g minced meat, 1 onion, 2 tablespoons rice, 1 egg, salt, pepper, dill. For soup: 1 tablespoon oil, 2 carrots, 1 parsnip, 1 celery, 1 onion, 1 bell pepper, 1 kohlrabi, 1 leek, salt, pepper, parsley leaves for decoration.

Meatball soup is a traditional Romanian dish, appreciated for its unmistakable flavor and aromas. We begin by preparing the necessary ingredients. We slice the leeks into thin rounds so that their aroma is fully released during cooking. The onion and bell pepper will be diced, adding extra sweetness and freshness. The remaining vegetables, such as carrot and celery, are grated to perfectly integrate into the soup.

In a 5-6 liter pot, we heat the oil over medium heat. Once the oil is well heated, we add the chopped vegetables and let them sweat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This process will help develop the flavors and create a delicious base for the soup. After the vegetables have become slightly translucent, we cover everything with water and put the lid on, letting the mixture boil.

Meanwhile, we take care of the meatballs. In a large bowl, we add the minced meat, preferably pork or a combination of pork and beef for a richer taste. The finely chopped onion will be added to the bowl, along with the washed and drained rice, the egg, and the finely chopped dill. We mix all the ingredients with a wooden spoon or by hand to obtain a homogeneous mixture. We generously season with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring that the meatballs will be full of flavor.

We form the meatballs by hand, taking care to make them uniform in size so that they cook evenly. We arrange them on a tray, ready to be added to the soup. After about 15 minutes of boiling, our soup reaches the boiling point, at which point we carefully add the meatballs, one by one, to avoid them sticking to each other. We let the soup boil for another 25-30 minutes, during which the rice in the meatballs will cook, and the flavors will blend perfectly.

In the end, the meatball soup will be an explosion of tastes and colors, perfect to be served hot, alongside creamy sour cream and freshly chopped parsley. This recipe is not only nourishing but also comforting, evoking memories of family meals and Romanian culinary traditions. Enjoy your meal!

 Tags:  eggs onion greenery meat carrots rice soups pepper oil gluten-free recipes lactose-free recipes