RECIPE FOR ALBONDIGAS SOUP RECIPES

Steps:

• Make the meatballs first: Combine everything and mix thoroughly.
• Form meatballs and roll between your palms (Otherwise, meatballs will fall apart in the soup).
• You should make around 20 to 24 meatballs, set aside.
• Combine chicken broth, onion, celery, tomatoes and their liquid, cumin, oregano and cilantro leaves in a large pot.
• Bring to boil, and reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Drop meatballs in the soup (Make sure the soup is slightly boiling, the meatballs need to be cooked quickly).
• Return to simmer and cook another 10 minutes.
• Add zucchini and cook 10 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• You could top the soup with cooked rice, or just by itself.

Steps:

• Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, rice, mint, garlic, salt and pepper. Using your hands, gently mix until well combined. Pinch off 2-ounce portions and gently roll between your palms to form golf ball-size rounds, transferring rounds to a sheet pan. (You should have about 28 meatballs.)
• In large pot, combine the olive oil, onion, carrots, celery and potato; season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste, garlic, bay leaves, oregano and cumin, and cook over medium, stirring frequently, until fragrant and tomato paste starts to caramelize, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and tomato sauce and bring to a simmer over high.
• Once the stock begins to bubble, reduce the heat to medium-low. Carefully add the meatballs, one by one, distributing them evenly in the pot until they’re all submerged. If necessary, reduce the heat to reach a low simmer (this will keep the meatballs tender), and cook until the meatballs and rice are cooked through, about 40 minutes. (Resist the urge to stir for the first 20 minutes, otherwise you risk breaking the meatballs apart before they’ve firmed up.) Skim any impurities from the surface as the soup simmers.
• Season to taste with salt. Divide the soup among bowls, about four or five meatballs per portion, and set out bowls of whatever garnishes you like.