Meatball and Vegetable Soup - a traditional recipe that brings warmth and comfort to any day. This soup is not just a nourishing meal, but also a recipe that will make you feel at home, no matter where you are. Meatball soup is a popular dish, often served at family gatherings, making it perfect for bringing people together around the table. Let’s explore this delicious dish together and discover how to prepare it step by step!
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings: 5
Ingredients:
For the soup:
- Fresh or canned tomatoes - 350 g (or 200 g canned tomatoes)
- Ground beef - 300 g (choose a moderately fatty cut for richer flavor)
- Onion - 100 g, finely chopped
- Carrots - 100 g, diced
- Parsnip - 100 g, diced
- Celery root - 100 g, diced
- Rice - 50 g (optional, to thicken the soup)
- Egg - 1 (to bind the meatballs)
- Borscht - 750 ml (or lemon juice for a tangy flavor)
- Tomato paste - 50 g (for added flavor)
- Fresh lovage - 1 bunch (the perfect substitute to add fresh aromas)
- Fresh parsley - 1 bunch, finely chopped
- Salt - to taste
Preparing the ingredients:
1. Cleaning the vegetables: Start by peeling the onion, carrots, celery, parsnip, and parsley. Use a sharp knife to cut the vegetables into small cubes so they cook evenly.
2. Preparing the tomatoes: If using fresh tomatoes, blanch them for 1-2 minutes in boiling water, then remove the skin and dice. If using canned tomatoes, make sure to drain them well.
3. The meat: Choose fresh beef, preferably from the shoulder or neck, to get a tastier soup. Chop the meat finely or buy ground beef from the butcher.
Preparing the soup:
1. Sauté the vegetables: In a large pot, add a little olive oil and sauté the chopped onion for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add the carrots, parsnip, and celery, continuing to sauté the vegetables for another 5-7 minutes.
2. Adding the meat: Add the ground beef to the pot, stirring well to brown it evenly. Let them cook together for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step will enhance the flavors.
3. Tomatoes and tomato paste: Add the diced tomatoes and tomato paste to the pot. Stir well to combine the ingredients. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow the tomatoes to release their juices.
4. Adding water: Pour in 1.5 liters of water (or more, depending on how thin you want the soup) and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Preparing the meatballs: In a bowl, mix the remaining ground beef with the washed rice, egg, and a little salt. Form meatballs of your desired size, making sure they are compact so they don’t disintegrate during cooking.
6. Adding the meatballs: After the soup has simmered for 30 minutes, add the meatballs to the pot. Let them cook for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked.
7. Finishing the soup: Add the borscht, stir well, and let it simmer for a few more minutes to combine the flavors. Finally, add the chopped parsley and lovage, adjusting the salt to taste.
Serving the soup:
Meatball soup is served hot, ideally alongside a slice of fresh bread or polenta. You can also add a spoonful of sour cream for a creamier taste. For an extra touch of flavor, offer your guests a few lemon slices, which can add a pleasant contrast.
Nutritional benefits:
This soup is rich in protein thanks to the beef, while the vegetables add essential vitamins and fiber. A serving of this soup can contain about 300 calories, depending on the ingredients used. It’s an excellent choice for a hearty lunch or a comforting dinner, being a recipe that combines taste with health.
Useful tips:
- Vegetarian option: If you want to try a vegetarian version, you can replace the beef with mushrooms and add more seasonal vegetables.
- Tangier soup: If you prefer a tangier soup, you can adjust the amount of borscht or add a little lemon juice.
- Spicier soup: For those who enjoy a spicier flavor, you can add fresh chili peppers or chili flakes.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use other types of meat? Absolutely! The soup can also be made with chicken or pork, each variant having its own taste and aroma.
2. How can I store the soup for several days? The soup can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you want to freeze it, it’s best to do so without the meatballs, as they can become mushy after thawing.
3. What side dish pairs best? Meatball soup pairs excellently with fresh bread or polenta, but you can also add a summer salad for an extra touch of freshness.
Conclusion:
Meatball soup is more than just a meal - it’s a cooking experience and a way to bring family and friends together. So, put on a smile, prepare the ingredients, and let yourself be carried away by the aromas of this traditional recipe! Whether you serve it at a festive meal or on an ordinary day, meatball soup will surely bring warmth and joy to the hearts of your loved ones. Enjoy your meal!
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings: 5
Ingredients:
For the soup:
- Fresh or canned tomatoes - 350 g (or 200 g canned tomatoes)
- Ground beef - 300 g (choose a moderately fatty cut for richer flavor)
- Onion - 100 g, finely chopped
- Carrots - 100 g, diced
- Parsnip - 100 g, diced
- Celery root - 100 g, diced
- Rice - 50 g (optional, to thicken the soup)
- Egg - 1 (to bind the meatballs)
- Borscht - 750 ml (or lemon juice for a tangy flavor)
- Tomato paste - 50 g (for added flavor)
- Fresh lovage - 1 bunch (the perfect substitute to add fresh aromas)
- Fresh parsley - 1 bunch, finely chopped
- Salt - to taste
Preparing the ingredients:
1. Cleaning the vegetables: Start by peeling the onion, carrots, celery, parsnip, and parsley. Use a sharp knife to cut the vegetables into small cubes so they cook evenly.
2. Preparing the tomatoes: If using fresh tomatoes, blanch them for 1-2 minutes in boiling water, then remove the skin and dice. If using canned tomatoes, make sure to drain them well.
3. The meat: Choose fresh beef, preferably from the shoulder or neck, to get a tastier soup. Chop the meat finely or buy ground beef from the butcher.
Preparing the soup:
1. Sauté the vegetables: In a large pot, add a little olive oil and sauté the chopped onion for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add the carrots, parsnip, and celery, continuing to sauté the vegetables for another 5-7 minutes.
2. Adding the meat: Add the ground beef to the pot, stirring well to brown it evenly. Let them cook together for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step will enhance the flavors.
3. Tomatoes and tomato paste: Add the diced tomatoes and tomato paste to the pot. Stir well to combine the ingredients. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow the tomatoes to release their juices.
4. Adding water: Pour in 1.5 liters of water (or more, depending on how thin you want the soup) and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Preparing the meatballs: In a bowl, mix the remaining ground beef with the washed rice, egg, and a little salt. Form meatballs of your desired size, making sure they are compact so they don’t disintegrate during cooking.
6. Adding the meatballs: After the soup has simmered for 30 minutes, add the meatballs to the pot. Let them cook for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked.
7. Finishing the soup: Add the borscht, stir well, and let it simmer for a few more minutes to combine the flavors. Finally, add the chopped parsley and lovage, adjusting the salt to taste.
Serving the soup:
Meatball soup is served hot, ideally alongside a slice of fresh bread or polenta. You can also add a spoonful of sour cream for a creamier taste. For an extra touch of flavor, offer your guests a few lemon slices, which can add a pleasant contrast.
Nutritional benefits:
This soup is rich in protein thanks to the beef, while the vegetables add essential vitamins and fiber. A serving of this soup can contain about 300 calories, depending on the ingredients used. It’s an excellent choice for a hearty lunch or a comforting dinner, being a recipe that combines taste with health.
Useful tips:
- Vegetarian option: If you want to try a vegetarian version, you can replace the beef with mushrooms and add more seasonal vegetables.
- Tangier soup: If you prefer a tangier soup, you can adjust the amount of borscht or add a little lemon juice.
- Spicier soup: For those who enjoy a spicier flavor, you can add fresh chili peppers or chili flakes.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use other types of meat? Absolutely! The soup can also be made with chicken or pork, each variant having its own taste and aroma.
2. How can I store the soup for several days? The soup can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you want to freeze it, it’s best to do so without the meatballs, as they can become mushy after thawing.
3. What side dish pairs best? Meatball soup pairs excellently with fresh bread or polenta, but you can also add a summer salad for an extra touch of freshness.
Conclusion:
Meatball soup is more than just a meal - it’s a cooking experience and a way to bring family and friends together. So, put on a smile, prepare the ingredients, and let yourself be carried away by the aromas of this traditional recipe! Whether you serve it at a festive meal or on an ordinary day, meatball soup will surely bring warmth and joy to the hearts of your loved ones. Enjoy your meal!