Meatloaf Soup | Albondigas

     One of my favorite memories of my grandma, is her cooking her famous albondigas. In my memories, I just see her on her tippy toes stirring the big pot. I remember the distinct smell of mint and the sound of her molding the meatloaf balls. But, sadly, I do not have her recipe. Every time I ask for it, she tells me that she doesn't know the exact measurements, she just knows what to put in it from experience. So I decided to seek a recipe to make this dish and came across a very simple one on youtube. As mentioned in the video, there are many different ways in making this dish and I have either added or removed from their recipe. The things you will need are...

• 2 pounds of ground beef
• Mint leaves 
• 1-2 cups of rice
• 2 Eggs
• Salt
• Zucchinis 
• Squash
• Carrots 
• Potatoes 
• 2-4 Chile California 
• Knor
• Cilantro 
• 1/4 of onion

*Add any or as much of  the vegetables you like

1. In a pot, pre cook 1-2 cups of rice

2. Cut up all of your desired vegetables.

3. Cut up the mint leaves.

4. In a pot add some water and start to boil the vegetables with 2-3 palm fulls of salt.

5. Once the rice is half way cooked, remove from heat and set aside. (It's okay if its crunchy, its suppose to be that way.)

6. In a bowl, add 2 pounds of ground beef, 2-6 spoonfuls of uncooked rice, the cut up mint, and mix.

7. Add 2 eggs and mix.

8. After the meat is mixed well, make some meatballs to your preference. 

9. In a pot, boil 2-4 Chile California. Remove the stems and the seeds from inside.

10. When the vegetables are boiling, add a handful of cilantro. 

11. Once the Chile California is soft remove a bit of water and pour into blender with the 1/4 onion and a palm full of salt. 

12. Blend until liquefied. 

13. Pour the mixture into the pot with boiling veggies and a spoonful or square of Knor.

14. Pour the uncooked rice into the pot.

15. Add the meatballs into the mixture. Cover the pot and let cook. Add any salt if needed.

16. When the vegetables, rice, and meat balls are cooked thoroughly, turn off heat and serve. Add lemon, tapatio, and heat up a tortilla to enjoy!

ENJOY!