Albondigas Soup

Albondigas soup is a traditional Mexican meatball soup,
albondigas means meatballs. It is our version of comfort food.
What makes the flavor of albondigas soup distinctive
is the chopped mint in the meatballs.

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
3 quarts of chicken stock or beef stock
1/2 cup of tomato sauce
1/2 lb green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1/3 cup of raw white rice
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup of chopped fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup of chopped parsley
1 raw egg
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
A dash of cayenne (optional)
1 1/2 cup of frozen or fresh peas
1 teaspoon of dried oregano, crumbled, or 1 Tbsp fresh chopped oregano
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
*If using prepared stock, be sure to use gluten-free stock if you are cooking gluten-free.

Directions:
Heat oil in large heavy pot over medium heat.
Add onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook a minute more.
Add broth mixture and tomato sauce.
Bring to boil and reduce heat to simmer.
Add carrots and string beans.

Prepare the meatballs:
Mix rice into meat, adding mint leaves and parsley, salt and pepper.
Mix in raw egg. Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
Add the meatballs to the simmering soup, one at a time.
Cover and let simmer for 1/2 hour.
Add the peas towards the end of the 1/2 hour.
Add a few pinches of oregano
and sprinkle with salt and pepper,
and a dash of cayenne, to taste.
Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.