Albondigas - Meatball Soup Recipe - Cooking Index
Albondigas - Meatball Soup Recipe - Cooking Index
| **for The Salsa | ||
| 1 | Ripe tomato - seeded and chopped (small) | |
| 1/2 | Jalapeno - minced (small) | |
| 1/2 x | Avocado - small chop | |
| Lemon juice - sprayed on avocado | ||
| 1/2 x | Cucumber - peeled and chopped | |
| 2 tablespoons | Fat-free vinaigrette - with | |
| Red bell peppers - store bought | ||
| 1 cup | Shredded lettuce | |
| **for The Meatballs | ||
| 1/2 lb | Ground turkey breast - leanest | |
| 1/4 cup | Graham cracker crumbs | |
| 1/4 cup | Matzo meal | |
| 1 cup | Zucchini - washed and stemmed (small) | |
| 1/4 cup | Chopped sweet onion | |
| 1 | Garlic salt | |
| 1 | -- ¥ | |
| 1 x | Coriander cohort" - see pantry | |
| 1/2 cup | Seltzer water - divided use | |
| Vegetable cooking spray - or | ||
| 1 teaspoon | Virgin olive oil | |
| **for The Soup Base | ||
| 1 x | Garlic - smashed | |
| 30 oz | Stewed tomatoes - (2 cans), Mexican spices | |
| 1/2 | Jalapeno - or less to taste (small) | |
| 15 oz | Low fat chicken broth - low salt | |
| 1/4 teaspoon | Oregano - Mexican | |
| **for The Vegetables | ||
| 1 | Carrot - julienne (large) | |
| 1 | Celery stalk - see detail (large) | |
| 1 | Zucchini - see detail (small) | |
| **for The Garnish | ||
| 2 tablespoons | Chopped fresh cilantro | |
| **options | ||
| White corn chips - restaurant style | ||
| 3 teaspoons | Low fat Monterey jack cheese - shredded |
**For the SALSA: Make the salsa by combining all but the lettuce. Chill. Combine with lettuce closer to serving time.
**For the MEATBALLS: Crumble ground turkey breast meat in a bowl with the crackers, but do not mix yet. Process zucchini and onion using the Fine Shredding disk. Transfer to the bowl. Add pinches of garlic powder and the Coriander Cohort Blend (see pantry). Add half the seltzer to the meat mixture and combine; add more seltzer as needed to bind and fluff. Shape into 1 to 1-1/4-inch balls and brown in a large, oiled, skillet over medium high until golden and/or slightly burned for a 'grilled' flavor. Do not crowd the meatballs. TIP: two batches, and/or second pan.
**For the Soup Base: Meanwhile put canned tomatoes, garlic clove and a portion of the stemmed and seeded rough-chopped jalapeno in processor fitted with metal blade and pulse to make a chunky sauce. Add more jalapeno to taste.
SLOW COOK (4 hrs on #4 and 5): Transfer the sauce to a 4-quart slow cooker (oblong). Set dial to 5; add the broth and oregano. Heat. Transfer the meat balls to the cooker and bring to a gentle boil. Boil for about 10 minutes. Reset dial to 4; cook covered for 3 hrs, then add the vegetables. Cook for 45 to 60 minutes. TIP: For tender-crisp zucchini, add it during the last 10 minutes. Add chopped cilantro near the end of the time so that it warms.
Detail: Julienne the carrot into 1/4-inch by 1 to 1-1/2-inch sticks. Cut the celery, once, lengthwise; then diagonally slice 1/4-inch pieces. Trim the stem and tip from the washed zucchini; cut into fourths lengthwise then cube.
Pantry: canned ready to use chopped tomatoes, pre-seasoned may be used, but we preferred the flavor of the pre-cooked (stewed) tomatoes. * Keep a jar of Coriander Cohort on hand: grind equal parts of pan roasted cumin seed, coriander seed and black peppercorns (created by Steve Raichlen).
To plate: Place the desired amount of crumbled corn chips in a large shallow bowl. Sprinkle with a little cheese. Ladle on the soup (about 1-1/2 to 1-2/3 cups broth per serving; apportion the meatballs and vegetables. Serve with salad, which may be used as a relish directly on the soup.
Variation ~ FAST COOK (60 minutes): Transfer sauce to a soup pot and heat to a gentle, steady boil. Transfer meatballs to the broth and reduce heat to a simmer (Medium, to medium low); cook meat 35 minutes. Add carrots and celery; cook 5 minutes. Add zucchini cook 4 to 5 minutes. Add cilantro and cook about 2 minutes. Serve.
DESCRIPTION: Zucchini is one of our favorites. Here they are teamed with a bright-red tomato sauce that clings to light and fluffy meatballs. Pepper-scale is mild to moderate. Time? Half day in the slow cooker or an hour on the stove top.
Source:
Hanneman
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