The meatballs are simmered in the broth so it's a one-pot meal, but if you prefer to use your slow cooker, you'll find out how to convert this to a slow-cooker recipe further down in the post.




To begin, make the meatballs by combining one pound of ground beef, 1/3 cup of uncooked rice, one teaspoon of salt and one raw egg. Squish it all together with your hands, then form into meatballs.






Bring three quarts of chicken broth (or use a combination of broth and water) to a simmer and gently add the meatballs. Simmer for about 20 minutes. About halfway through, the meatballs will rise to the top of the broth.




While the meatballs are simmering, peel and chop the celery, garlic, onions and carrots.




After the twenty minutes have passed and the meatballs are swimming in the broth, add the chopped vegetables. Add a can of diced tomatoes and the spices - everything except the spinach - and continue simmering for another hour and 15 minutes.

Add the spinach and simmer for an additional 15 minutes.

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Provide sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole, and/or cilantro as toppings. Serve with warm flour tortillas or homemade bread. Warm, homemade bread goes with anything!

Albondigas Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1/3 cup uncooked rice
1 tsp salt
1 egg
3 quarts chicken stock, or part stock/part water
3 cloves garlic, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
3 onions, cut into quarters
4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1 can of diced tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp cumin
A dash of cayenne (optional)
1 tsp dried oregano
Fresh spinach or other greens
Cilantro for garnish if desired


Preparation:


1. Mix ground beef with rice, salt and the raw egg. Form into meatballs.

2. Bring broth to a boil in a large pot. Turn down to a slow simmer and gently add meatballs. Simmer gently for 20 minutes.

3. Add the remaining ingredients except spinach. Simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until rice in meatballs is cooked through. Add spinach or other greens and simmer for an additional 15 minutes.

Serve hot with fresh flour tortillas, and with toppings such as sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole and/or cilantro.