Meatball soup
Meatball soup is a traditional Romanian dish, full of flavors, that brings back family memories and warm meals around the table. This recipe is perfect for cool days, being a comforting and nourishing choice. With a preparation time of about 30 minutes and a cooking time of 30 minutes, you will get a delicious soup for 6 servings. Here’s how to prepare it step by step.
Ingredients for meatballs:
- 500 g minced meat (preferably a mix of chicken and pork for a juicy texture)
- 1 cup rice (washed and drained)
- 2 eggs (to bind the meatballs)
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Ingredients for the soup:
- 2 carrots (peeled and finely chopped)
- 2 onions (finely chopped)
- 2 bell peppers (one red and one green, diced)
- 5 tomatoes (fresh or canned, chopped)
- 2 potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 1 liter of borscht (for acidity and flavor)
- A bunch of lovage (for extra freshness)
Preparation steps:
1. Preparing the vegetables: Start by peeling and washing all the vegetables. The carrots, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes should be chopped as finely as possible to cook evenly and integrate perfectly into the soup. A useful technique is to use a food processor to save time.
2. Boiling the vegetables: In a large 6-liter pot, add the chopped carrots, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes. Cover the vegetables with about 2 liters of water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once the water starts boiling, reduce the heat and let the vegetables simmer for 15-20 minutes.
3. Preparing the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the minced meat with the washed rice, eggs, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix the ingredients well until you achieve a homogeneous mixture. Form medium-sized meatballs using wet hands to prevent sticking.
4. Adding the meatballs to the soup: After the vegetables have boiled for 20 minutes, carefully add the formed meatballs into the pot. Cook everything on low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and float to the surface.
5. Adding the borscht: Pour the borscht into the soup and let it boil for another 5-10 minutes. If you want a more sour soup, you can add more borscht to taste.
6. Finalizing and serving: Finally, add the chopped lovage and let the soup sit for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors. Serve the meatball soup hot, alongside fresh bread or polenta. A garnish of sour cream is optional but recommended for an extra creaminess.
Useful tips:
- Use high-quality chicken and pork meat for juicy meatballs.
- If you want to make a variation of the recipe, you can add spices like sweet paprika or thyme to the meatball mixture.
- Meatball soup can be frozen, so you can have quick and delicious access to a meal whenever you need.
This soup is not only a nourishing choice but also a culinary experience that will delight family and friends. Prepare it and enjoy the authentic aroma and taste of a meatball soup made with love!
Ingredients: For meatballs - 500 g minced meat, chicken or a mix of beef and pork - 1 cup rice - 2 eggs - finely chopped parsley - salt, pepper. For soup - 2 carrots - 2 onions - 2 peppers, one red and one green - 5 tomatoes - 2 potatoes - 1 liter of borscht - lovage.
