They Ate It Before I Got the Picture

I promised Margo that I’d post the recipe for my Albondigas Soup.

It’s one of the very few recipes that survived my mother’s cooking. (She’s improved greatly, for the record.) The recipe was handed down by my aunt, I believe and is best with fresh tortillas, but store bought will do.

Albondigas Soup
(Mexican Meatball)

2lbs ground beef
2 bunches green onions
2 cans chopped green chilies
2 cans diced tomatoes (sub fresh if possible)
3 qts water
4 (or more) cloves of garlic, minced
1 bunch cilantro (divided)
3 cans beef broth (or equivalent amount beef base + water)*
1 egg
1/2 cup rice
Tabasco, salt & pepper to taste

In a large pot place 3qts cold water, at least 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 can green chilies, a good amount of ground pepper, a small amount of Tabasco, and the bulbs of the green onions, minced finely. Add the broth and bring to a boil. (I don’t salt the broth until just prior to serving as it’s very easy to oversalt this soup, particularly if canned broth and tomatoes are used.)

Seperately mix the 2lbs ground beef, 1 can green chilies, 1 bunch green onions, 1/2 bunch cilantro, 2 cloves minced garlic, egg, & salt/pepper and Tabasco. Roll into small meatballs. The flavor can be checked by dropping into the broth. When the meatball floats, it is done. Over the years I’ve learned to bake the meatballs until just done on a broiling pan and then let them drain on paper towels. This lets me eliminate the obnoxious step of defatting the broth. Add the meatballs to the soup. The longer they simmer, the better the flavor.

I add one can of tomatoes with the meatballs and some of the remaining cilantro, reserving the last for just prior to serving. With the broth at a boil add the 1/2 cup rice. When the rice is tender, add the second bunch of green onions, the second can of tomatoes, and the last of the cilantro.

It’s a colorful, flavorful soup best enjoyed with soft flour tortillas. Well, that and margaritas.

Enjoy.

*I use Better than Bouillion as it is lower in salt and does not contain MSG.