Delicious meatball soup

Delicious Meatball Soup: A Classic Comfort Food Recipe

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 6

Meatball soup is one of those recipes that brings back memories of childhood, of family meals filled with joy and warmth. This classic dish is rich in fresh vegetables and meat, and the meatballs provide a unique taste and texture, turning every spoonful into an explosion of flavors. Meatball soup is not only tasty but also hearty, with each ingredient carrying its own story.

Ingredients needed:
- 300 g beef (you can also use pork or chicken, according to preference)
- 1 medium onion
- 3 tablespoons of rice
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
- 1 large carrot
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 parsnip
- ½ small celery
- ½ parsley root
- 1 large tomato, peeled
- 150 g sour cream (at least 20% fat)
- A handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt, pepper, to taste
- Vinegar or lemon juice, to sour (to taste)

Preparing the ingredients:
1. Meat: Choose quality beef with a good balance of lean meat and fat. This will add juiciness to your meatballs. Chop the meat finely or use a food processor for a smooth result.
2. Vegetables: Wash the vegetables thoroughly. Peel the onion, carrot, parsnip, celery, and bell pepper. Cut them into small cubes, as uniform cutting will help them cook evenly.
3. Rice: Make sure the rice is well washed before adding it to the meat mixture. It will absorb the flavors from the soup, giving it a pleasant texture.

Step by step: Preparing the meatball soup
1. Forming the meatballs: In a bowl, mix the ground meat with the washed rice, egg white, chopped parsley, salt, pepper, and sweet paprika. Use wet hands to form small balls, the size of a walnut. These meatballs will float in the soup and cook quickly.

2. Boiling the vegetables: In a large pot, add the diced vegetables and cover them with water (about 2-3 liters). Place the pot on the stove and let it boil. When the water starts to boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Adding the meatballs: Once the vegetables have begun to soften, carefully add the meatballs to the soup. Let them boil for about 20 minutes. The meatballs are ready when they become fluffy and rise to the surface.

4. Adding the tomato: Peel the tomato, cut it into small cubes, and add it to the soup. Let it boil for another 5 minutes to combine the flavors.

5. Preparing the sour cream sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks with the sour cream and 2 tablespoons of cold water. This mixture will give the soup a special creaminess. When the soup is ready, take two ladles of hot soup and gradually add them to the sour cream mixture, stirring continuously to avoid curdling the eggs.

6. Finalizing the soup: Pour the sour cream mixture into the pot with the soup, stirring gently. Let it boil for a few minutes, then turn off the heat. Add the freshly chopped parsley, and if desired, sour the soup with vinegar or lemon juice, to taste.

Serving:
Meatball soup is served hot, ideally alongside a slice of fresh bread or polenta. You can top it with a splash of sour cream and a little hot pepper for extra flavor.

Useful tips:
- If you want to reduce cooking time, you can use a multicooker or an instant pot.
- For a more intense flavor, you can also add spices like thyme or bay leaves.
- This soup keeps well in the refrigerator, and the next day it is even tastier as the flavors meld together.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use chicken instead of beef? Yes, chicken is an excellent choice and will give a lighter soup.
- How can I make the soup more sour? You can add more vinegar or lemon juice at the end, to taste.
- What vegetables can I add? You can experiment with zucchini, green beans, or even pumpkin, depending on the season and preferences.

Nutritional notes:
This meatball soup is rich in protein due to the meat and egg, while the vegetables add essential vitamins and minerals. A serving of soup has about 350-400 calories, depending on the amount of sour cream used.

In conclusion, meatball soup is a versatile and hearty dish, perfect for chilly days or when you want to indulge in a familiar taste. Whether you serve it with family or friends, this dish will always bring smiles and stories around the table. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: Ingredients for 3.5 liters of soup: 300 g beef, 1 onion, 3 tablespoons of rice, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika, 1 large carrot, 1 red bell pepper, 1 parsnip, 1/2 small celery, 1/2 parsley root, 1 large peeled tomato, 150 grams of sour cream with at least 20% fat, parsley, salt, pepper to taste.

 Tags:  vegetable soup meatball soup meat soup philips multicooker recipes