Caldo de Albóndigas (Mexican Meatball Soup)
This cozy and comforting soup is filled with veggies and tender miniature meatballs known as albóndigas in a delicate and intoxicating broth. Its perfect for warming you up AND helping you achieve all those New Year's resolutions.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon peppercorns, crushed
- 2 tablespoons masa harina
- 1 cup onions, diced and divided
- ¼ cup long-grain rice, divided
- 7 cups water
- 32 ounces chicken broth
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 roma tomatoes, diced
- 3 large tomatoes, roasted and blended
- 2 small russet potatoes, cubed
- 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon coriander, crushed
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon whole safflower
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine ground beef with garlic powder, salt, crushed peppercorns, 2 tablespoons of onions, masa harina, and 1/8 cup of rice. Mix all ingredients together and roll out about 36-40 1-inch meatballs.
- Arrange three tomatoes on a baking sheet. Place your oven rack as close to the broiler as possible. Broil the tomatoes for about 20 minutes until softened, turning over after 10 minutes. If the skin has blackened remove it.
- In a blender or food processor, puree the tomatoes until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large pot boil water, chicken broth, and minced garlic. Lower heat to medium and carefully add meatballs to the liquid. Cook meatballs for about 10-15 minutes or until the meatballs float to the surface and lower heat to simmer.
- In a medium skillet sauté the remaining onions and diced roma tomatoes in olive oil.
- To the pot of broth add the sautéed onions, tomatoes, fresh tomato sauce, remaining rice, potatoes, carrots, celery, coriander, cilantro, and safflower.
- Cook over medium heat for an additional 30 minutes. Ladle soup with about 5 albondigas per bowl. Garnish with cilantro sprigs, lime wedges, and serve with warn corn tortillas. If you would like your soup spicy add a spoonful of your favorite homemade salsa.
Notes
- The essence of the spice in this soup comes from an exotic trio of fresh cilantro, freshly crushed coriander, and whole safflower petals. Make sure to use all of them. If absolutely necessary, you can substitute saffron threads for the safflower petals.
- Meatball soup will last for up to a week in the fridge, or up to three months in the freezer.
Nutrition
Calories: 354kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 54mg, Sodium: 1024mg, Potassium: 929mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 2396IU, Vitamin C: 29mg, Calcium: 72mg, Iron: 3mg