Saturday, January 31, 2015

Albondigas Soup



For tonight's "SOUP'S ON" Saturday #2 I've made
 Albondigas Soup. 
 
Albondigas Soup is a classic Mexican soup made with meatballs (albondigas).  I love this soup for its flavor and also for the ease with which it is to prepare.  You can change ingredients to suit your own taste without losing the flavor of the meatballs and vegetables.  And, the aroma of the soup while it is simmering in your soup pot is wonderful!
 
Albondigas Soup (Mexican Meatball Soup)
 
Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 large clove of garlic, chopped
  • 3 quarts of beef stock OR chicken stock.  (I used beef stock today but I have used chicken stock when I've made it in the past and it is good too.  The meatballs will add their own flavor to the stock)
  • 1/2 cup of tomato sauce
  • 2 large carrots, diced
  • 1 large leafy stalk of celery, diced
  • 1/2 pound of green beans cut into 1 inch pieces (I prefer green beans but tonight I didn't have green beans so I substituted one can of black beans.  Use whatever you have on hand.)
  • 1/3 cup of white rice
  • 1 pound of ground beef
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves (you can use a couple teaspoons of dried mint if you don't have fresh.  You can also use cilantro if  you prefer it).
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 raw egg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • a dash of cayenne (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups of frozen or fresh peas
  • 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, crumbles
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro to garnish
Directions:
  1. Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.  Add onion and cook until tender (about 5 minutes).  Add the garlic and cook a minute more.  Add the broth and tomato sauce.  Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.  Add the carrots, celery and beans.
  2. Prepare the meatballs:  Mix the rice into the meat, addition the mint leaves and parsley, salt and pepper.  Mix in the raw egg and form into 1-inch meatballs.
  3. Add the meatballs to the simmering soup, one at a time.  Cover and let simmer for 1/2 hour.  Add the peas towards the end of the 1/2 hour so as not to over cook.  Add a few pinches of oregano and sprinkle with salt and pepper, and a dash of cayenne if desired.
  4. Garnish with Chopped fresh cilantro and serve.
Yields 6 - 8 servings.  Left over soup freezes well.



Like so many others, we are gearing up for tomorrow's predicted snowstorm.  They say we should get about 12" of the white stuff with a lot of blowing and drifting.  I'll be glad to have leftover Albondigas to warm us over the day or two.

Until next time,
Cheers!

Jennifer



Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Some of my favorite Blog Parties I enjoy attending:
 
The Dedicated House Make It Pretty MondayWonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Pure Grace Farm,   Worthwhile Wednesdays, Wake Up Wednesdays, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, FoodySchmoody Tuesday Tastings,  Delish Dessert Link Party, Share your stuff Tuesdays, Anyonita Nibbles Tasty Tuesday'sShare it One More Time, Much Ado About MondayFeathered Nest Fridays, DIY Vintage Chic FridayThe Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday, Sew-Off Saturday Sew Can She , Two Cup Tuesday , Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday , Give Me The Goods Monday , Homestead Barn Hop , Whimsy Wednesday , Knick Of Time ,  From the Farm Blog Hop , A Peek Into My Paradise , A Delightsome Life , Share your Cup Thursday Have a Daily Cup, Homework , Green Willow Pond , A Stroll Thru Life , Work It Wednesday , Savvy Southern Style , I Should Be Mopping the Floors , Common Ground Be Inspired , Simple and Sweet Fridays Sweet and Savory Sunday This Gal Cooks Marvelous Mondays , This Silly Girl's Life, Living Better Together TGIF Linkparty , DIY Sunday Showcase , Dear Creatives Inspiration, Super Saturday Link Party

4 comments:

  1. This looks really good and I want to try it. Just one question - is the 1/3 cup rice cooked or uncooked?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ruth, the recipe calls for uncooked. However, I had some leftover basmati rice so mine was already cooked when I put it in. And I think I added closer to a half cup. Enjoy!

      Delete
  2. This looks like really good soup and I want to try it. Just one question - is the rice cooked or uncooked?

    ReplyDelete
  3. OOooh that's heartwarming soup so chunky too l love anything like this and thank you for sharing it xx

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment. I truly appreciate them.