Sour Soup with Meat Balls
Sour Soup with Meat Balls Recipe from Moldova and Romania
Introduction
Sour Soup with Meat Balls is a traditional Romanian dish that is both hearty and flavorful. This soup is perfect for a cold winter day or when you are craving a comforting meal. The combination of tangy borş, tender meatballs, and fresh vegetables creates a delicious and satisfying dish that is sure to please your taste buds.
History
Sour Soup with Meat Balls has been a staple in Romanian cuisine for generations. This dish is often made during special occasions or family gatherings, as it is a labor of love to prepare. The sour flavor in the soup comes from borş, a fermented wheat bran liquid that adds a unique tanginess to the dish. The meatballs are made with a combination of ground beef, rice, and spices, creating a tender and flavorful addition to the soup.
Ingredients
How to prepare
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and add finely chopped onion, carrot, and parsley root along with the beef bones.
- Allow the mixture to boil for a while, then add separately boiled borş, salt, chopped greens, and separately boiled and strained tomatoes.
- Continue boiling for a few minutes, then add the meatballs made by combining ground meat with salt, pepper, egg, fried onion, and rice.
- Let the meatballs cook in the mixture.
- Serve each bowl with a tablespoon of sour cream.
Variations
- For a vegetarian version, you can omit the meatballs and add extra vegetables such as mushrooms or bell peppers.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice or vinegar to the soup for an extra tangy flavor.
Cooking Tips & Tricks
Be sure to finely chop the vegetables for the main part of the soup to ensure they cook evenly and release their flavors into the broth.
- When making the meatballs, mix the ingredients gently to avoid overworking the meat, which can result in tough meatballs.
- To add extra flavor to the soup, you can sauté the onions before adding them to the broth.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste preferences by adding more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Sour Soup with Meat Balls hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped dill.
- Enjoy this soup with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
Cooking Techniques
Boiling the beef bones with the vegetables helps to create a flavorful broth for the soup.
- Cooking the meatballs in the soup allows them to absorb the flavors of the broth and become tender and juicy.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can use ground pork or chicken instead of beef for the meatballs.
- If you don't have borş, you can substitute with a mixture of lemon juice and water.
Make Ahead Tips
You can prepare the meatballs in advance and store them in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- The soup can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.
Presentation Ideas
Serve the Sour Soup with Meat Balls in individual bowls, garnished with a sprig of fresh dill for a beautiful presentation. - You can also serve the soup in a hollowed-out bread bowl for a fun and creative twist.
Pairing Recommendations
Pair this soup with a glass of red wine or a cold beer for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat the soup on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition Information
Calories per serving
350 per serving
Carbohydrates
25g per serving
Fats
15g per serving
Proteins
30g per serving
Vitamins and minerals
This soup is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals such as iron and potassium.
Alergens
This recipe contains eggs and wheat, which may be allergens for some individuals.
Summary
This soup is a balanced meal that provides a good source of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, as well as essential vitamins and minerals.
Summary
Sour Soup with Meat Balls is a comforting and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. This traditional Romanian recipe is sure to warm you up from the inside out with its tangy broth, tender meatballs, and fresh vegetables. Enjoy this soup with a side of crusty bread and a dollop of sour cream for a delicious and satisfying meal.
How did I get this recipe?
I have a clear memory of the first time I saw this recipe for Sour Soup with Meat Balls. It was a rainy afternoon in the small village where I grew up, and my mother was preparing dinner in our cozy kitchen. I remember the tantalizing aroma that filled the room as she cooked, and I was curious to see what she was making.
As I peered over her shoulder, I watched as she expertly chopped vegetables, mixed spices, and rolled the meat balls with precision. I asked her what she was making, and she smiled and replied, "Sour Soup with Meat Balls." It was a dish that she had learned from her own mother, who had learned it from her mother before her. It was a family recipe that had been passed down through the generations, and I was eager to learn how to make it myself.
My mother patiently taught me each step of the recipe, showing me how to season the broth just right, how to shape the meat balls so they held together, and how to add just the right amount of sourness to the soup. I watched and learned, soaking in every detail as she cooked with love and care.
Over the years, I honed my skills and perfected the recipe, adding my own twist to it here and there. I experimented with different spices, tried using different types of meat for the meat balls, and even added a few secret ingredients of my own. Each time I made the Sour Soup with Meat Balls, it brought back memories of my mother and the time we spent together in the kitchen.
As I grew older, I continued to cook the recipe for my own family, passing down the tradition to my children and grandchildren. It became a beloved dish in our household, a comforting meal that we enjoyed on rainy days or whenever we needed a taste of home.
The recipe for Sour Soup with Meat Balls became more than just a dish to me - it became a connection to my past, a link to my ancestors and the generations of women who came before me. It was a reminder of the love and care that went into every meal, the time and effort that my mother and grandmother had put into teaching me how to cook.
Now, as I sit in my own kitchen, preparing the Sour Soup with Meat Balls for my family, I can't help but smile as I remember the rainy afternoon so many years ago. The memories flood back to me, filling me with warmth and nostalgia as I stir the pot and shape the meat balls with practiced hands.
I am grateful for the recipe that has been passed down to me, for the knowledge and skills that have been shared with me over the years. And as I serve the Sour Soup with Meat Balls to my family, I know that I am not just feeding their bodies - I am nourishing their souls with a taste of tradition and a piece of our family history.
Categories
| Beef Recipes | Carrot Recipes | Dill Recipes | Moldovan Recipes | Moldovan Soups | Onion Recipes | Parsley Root Recipes | Romanian Recipes | Romanian Soups | Tomato Recipes |