Romanian Meatball Soup

Ingredients

• For the meatballs: For the meatballs:
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 1/2 cup cooked rice 1/2 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 1 egg 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• For the soup: For the soup:
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cups beef or chicken stock 4 cups beef or chicken stock
• 2 cups water 2 cups water
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 cup sour cream

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients and mix well until evenly combined.
2. 2.
   Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. 3.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
4. 4.
   Add the carrots, potatoes, and celery to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. 5.
   Pour in the beef or chicken stock and water. Add the bay leaf and dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and gently drop in the meatballs.
7. 7.
   Simmer the soup for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
8. 8.
   Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the sour cream until well incorporated.
9. 9.
   Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
10. 10.
    Serve the Romanian Meatball Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley or dill.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef — Choose lean ground beef for healthier meatballs. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use a combination of beef and pork.
• Rice — Cook the rice before adding it to the meatball mixture to ensure it is fully cooked in the soup.
• Sour cream — For a creamier soup, you can add more sour cream to taste. If you prefer a lighter version, use low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt as a substitute.

Tips & Tricks

• To make the meatballs more flavorful, you can add a pinch of paprika or cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the cooked potatoes with a fork before adding the sour cream.
• For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the meatballs with plant-based meat alternatives or use a combination of mushrooms and lentils for a hearty texture.

Serving advice

Serve the Romanian Meatball Soup as a main course with crusty bread on the side. It pairs well with a dollop of sour cream on top and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for added freshness.

Presentation advice

Present the Romanian Meatball Soup in individual bowls, garnished with a sprig of fresh dill or parsley. Serve it piping hot to showcase the vibrant colors of the vegetables and the succulent meatballs.