Description
Rich, hearty Meatball Vegetable Soup combines tender Italian-style meatballs with garden-fresh vegetables in a comforting, savory broth. Nourishing ingredients dance together, creating a satisfying meal that warms souls and delights palates.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 10 ounces (280 grams) lean ground beef
- 1 egg yolk
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 tablespoon mint, chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon red chili, finely chopped (optional)
- Handful of fresh basil, finely chopped
Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup potato, grated
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- ½ carrot (or 1 small), chopped
- 1 ½ potatoes, chopped into small cubes
- 1 small tomato, blended or finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- 45 cups water or stock (use more if needed)
Instructions
- Craft delicate meatballs by thoroughly blending ground beef with grated potato, aromatic mint, warming cumin, cracked black pepper, and sea salt. Gently roll mixture into petite, uniform spheres.
- Meticulously dice onions, carrots, potatoes, red chili, tomatoes, and tender basil leaves. Finely mince fragrant garlic cloves.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel, sautéing onions until translucent and softened. Introduce chopped carrots, potatoes, vibrant chili, ripe tomatoes, and minced garlic. Stir ingredients to harmonize flavors.
- Stream water or rich stock into the pot, bringing liquid to a robust boil. Carefully nestle prepared meatballs into simmering liquid, reducing heat to allow gentle cooking. Maintain a low, steady temperature for approximately 30 minutes, replenishing liquid if necessary.
- Evaluate soup’s flavor profile, adjusting seasoning with strategic pinches of salt and pepper. Fold in freshly torn basil leaves for a burst of herbal brightness.
- Create a silky tempering technique by whisking egg yolk with tangy lemon juice. Gradually incorporate hot broth into egg mixture, stirring continuously to prevent curdling. Integrate the tempered liquid back into the soup with smooth, deliberate motions.
- Remove from heat and ladle into warm serving bowls, presenting a comforting, rustic meal that celebrates robust flavors and careful preparation.
Notes
- Customize meatballs by using ground turkey or lamb for a unique flavor profile and leaner protein option.
- Enhance texture by adding grated zucchini or breadcrumbs to the meatball mixture for extra moisture and binding.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting potato with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour in meatball preparation.
- Boost nutritional value by incorporating finely chopped spin
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg