Well, the cold weather is here in Alberta.  In fact, we have snow on the ground!

I decided to pull out my big soup pot and make some Albondigas soup.
I thought I would share my version ...curl up and stay warm!


ALBONDIGAS SOUP

 Soup

• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
• 6 cups of homemade chicken stock
• 1 cup of carrots
  
• 1 stalk of celery, diced
  
• 2 potatoes, chopped
• 1 can of crushed tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
• salt and pepper, to taste
  
• pinch of cumin seeds
• pinch of red pepper flakes
  

Meatballs

• 1 lb of lean ground beef
• 1 cup of par-boiled rice
• 1/4 cup of bread crumbs
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
  
• 1 tablespoon of oregano
  
• 1extra large egg
• 1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped

Begin by preparing the meatballs.  Mix ground beef, rice, bread crumbs, garlic, oregano together with the egg and cilantro. Form this mixture into medium sized meatballs and place in pot to sear with a touch of olive oil until brown. Set aside.

Prepare slicing and dicing your vegetables.  In the soup pot, saute onions, garlic, celery and carrots until onion is transparent and slightly golden brown.  Add crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, potatoes, bay leaf, cumin, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper. Allow the soup to simmer for 30 minutes and then add meatballs and continue cooking for another for 30 minutes.

Serve with fresh lime, warm tortillas a cozy blanket and a great book....enjoy