Meatball soup with cabbage juice is a traditional dish that brings the warmth and comfort of a family meal. With a refreshing aroma and unmistakable taste, this soup is perfect for chilly days or to celebrate special moments with loved ones. Over time, meatball soup has become a symbol of home cooking, with variations that can include various ingredients, but its essence remains constant: love and passion for cooking.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 6
Ingredients
- 400-500 g ground pork
- ½ small onion
- 7-8 cloves of garlic
- 1-2 tablespoons of washed rice
- Salt, pepper, and seasoning to taste
- 2 small carrots
- 1 parsley
- 3-4 l water
- 200 ml sour cream
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 200 ml cabbage juice
- 1-2 tablespoons of flour (for shaping the meatballs)
Step by Step
Step 1: Preparing the Vegetables
Start by peeling and grating the carrots and parsley on a large grater. This technique will release the natural juices of the vegetables, adding a deep flavor to your soup. In a pan, add the 2 tablespoons of oil and sauté the vegetables over medium heat until the oil turns a vibrant orange. Then, transfer the mixture to a large pot.
Step 2: Boiling the Soup Base
Add 3-4 liters of water, salt, and seasoning to the pot to flavor the dish. Let the mixture boil over medium heat while we prepare the meatballs.
Step 3: Preparing the Meatballs
On a small grater, grate the onion and garlic. These will add an intense and savory flavor to the meatballs. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat with the onion and garlic. Beat the egg with a little salt and gradually add it to the meat mixture, mixing by hand until well combined. Do not add the whole egg at once; this way, you can control the consistency of the mixture. Add pepper and salt to taste.
Step 4: Finalizing the Mixture
In the meat mixture, add the washed rice and mix well. This will enhance the texture of the meatballs. Then, on a plate, sprinkle a little flour. Take a portion of the meat mixture and shape it into balls, then coat them in flour. This trick helps the meatballs not to stick together and fall apart during boiling.
Step 5: Boiling the Meatballs
When the water in the pot starts to boil, add the meatballs one by one. Wait until they rise to the surface, indicating they are cooked. Then you can reduce the heat to low and let them simmer for about an hour.
Step 6: Adding the Cabbage Juice
After an hour of boiling, add 200 ml of cabbage juice. This will add a tangy taste and a distinctive aroma to your soup. Let it boil for another 5 minutes.
Step 7: Finishing the Soup
Turn off the heat and let the soup rest for 30 minutes. This step is essential for the flavors to combine perfectly. In a bowl, place the sour cream. Using a ladle, take a few spoonfuls of the soup and gradually add them to the sour cream to warm it up, thus avoiding curdling. Then pour the sour cream into the soup and mix well.
Serving
Meatball soup with cabbage juice can be served with a slice of fresh bread or polenta. A garnish of freshly chopped parsley on top will add a touch of freshness.
Practical Tips
- Meat: For a richer flavor, you can mix the pork with a little beef.
- Cabbage Juice: If you don't have cabbage juice on hand, you can use lemon juice or vinegar to add acidity, but the taste will be different.
- Meatballs: For fluffier meatballs, you can add soaked bread crumbs in water or milk to the meat mixture.
- Variations: You can add vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini, finely chopped, for an extra nutrient boost.
Nutritional Benefits
This soup is rich in protein due to the meat, while the vegetables add essential vitamins. A serving of meatball soup contains approximately 300-400 calories, depending on the ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long can I keep the soup in the fridge?
The soup keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can reheat it over low heat.
- Can the soup be frozen?
Yes, meatball soup can be frozen. Make sure to cool it completely before placing it in airtight containers.
Beverage Recommendations
To complement the meal, you can serve fresh lemonade or a dry white wine. These beverages will balance the rich flavors of the soup.
Meatball soup with cabbage juice is not just a meal; it's an experience that brings family and friends together. By cooking this recipe, you will bring not just a delicious dish into your life but also unforgettable moments. Savor every spoonful!
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 6
Ingredients
- 400-500 g ground pork
- ½ small onion
- 7-8 cloves of garlic
- 1-2 tablespoons of washed rice
- Salt, pepper, and seasoning to taste
- 2 small carrots
- 1 parsley
- 3-4 l water
- 200 ml sour cream
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 200 ml cabbage juice
- 1-2 tablespoons of flour (for shaping the meatballs)
Step by Step
Step 1: Preparing the Vegetables
Start by peeling and grating the carrots and parsley on a large grater. This technique will release the natural juices of the vegetables, adding a deep flavor to your soup. In a pan, add the 2 tablespoons of oil and sauté the vegetables over medium heat until the oil turns a vibrant orange. Then, transfer the mixture to a large pot.
Step 2: Boiling the Soup Base
Add 3-4 liters of water, salt, and seasoning to the pot to flavor the dish. Let the mixture boil over medium heat while we prepare the meatballs.
Step 3: Preparing the Meatballs
On a small grater, grate the onion and garlic. These will add an intense and savory flavor to the meatballs. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat with the onion and garlic. Beat the egg with a little salt and gradually add it to the meat mixture, mixing by hand until well combined. Do not add the whole egg at once; this way, you can control the consistency of the mixture. Add pepper and salt to taste.
Step 4: Finalizing the Mixture
In the meat mixture, add the washed rice and mix well. This will enhance the texture of the meatballs. Then, on a plate, sprinkle a little flour. Take a portion of the meat mixture and shape it into balls, then coat them in flour. This trick helps the meatballs not to stick together and fall apart during boiling.
Step 5: Boiling the Meatballs
When the water in the pot starts to boil, add the meatballs one by one. Wait until they rise to the surface, indicating they are cooked. Then you can reduce the heat to low and let them simmer for about an hour.
Step 6: Adding the Cabbage Juice
After an hour of boiling, add 200 ml of cabbage juice. This will add a tangy taste and a distinctive aroma to your soup. Let it boil for another 5 minutes.
Step 7: Finishing the Soup
Turn off the heat and let the soup rest for 30 minutes. This step is essential for the flavors to combine perfectly. In a bowl, place the sour cream. Using a ladle, take a few spoonfuls of the soup and gradually add them to the sour cream to warm it up, thus avoiding curdling. Then pour the sour cream into the soup and mix well.
Serving
Meatball soup with cabbage juice can be served with a slice of fresh bread or polenta. A garnish of freshly chopped parsley on top will add a touch of freshness.
Practical Tips
- Meat: For a richer flavor, you can mix the pork with a little beef.
- Cabbage Juice: If you don't have cabbage juice on hand, you can use lemon juice or vinegar to add acidity, but the taste will be different.
- Meatballs: For fluffier meatballs, you can add soaked bread crumbs in water or milk to the meat mixture.
- Variations: You can add vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini, finely chopped, for an extra nutrient boost.
Nutritional Benefits
This soup is rich in protein due to the meat, while the vegetables add essential vitamins. A serving of meatball soup contains approximately 300-400 calories, depending on the ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long can I keep the soup in the fridge?
The soup keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can reheat it over low heat.
- Can the soup be frozen?
Yes, meatball soup can be frozen. Make sure to cool it completely before placing it in airtight containers.
Beverage Recommendations
To complement the meal, you can serve fresh lemonade or a dry white wine. These beverages will balance the rich flavors of the soup.
Meatball soup with cabbage juice is not just a meal; it's an experience that brings family and friends together. By cooking this recipe, you will bring not just a delicious dish into your life but also unforgettable moments. Savor every spoonful!