Mexican Meatball Soup

Meatball Rice Soup with touch of spice from chipotle peppers, perfect on a cold day | impeckableeats.com

Spicy Mexican Meatball (Albondigas) Rice Soup | impeckableeats.com

Meatballs may not make you think of Mexican food. I would like to take credit for developing some sort of Italian/Mexican fusion soup, but Mexican Meatball soup is an existing dish. Frequently referred to by its Spanish name, Sopa de Albondigas, this basic soup can be made a number of different ways. Some include vegetables, rice, and herbs while others are mainly just meatballs, usually made of beef such as sirloin. I like additional inclusions in my Meatball soup and this spicy version chock-full of tasty textures and flavors, really fits the bill.

Although my grandmother had an affinity for Mexican food and some of her recipes (like Refried Beans) are amazing, this soup was adapted from “The New York Times Cookbook,” by Craig Claiborne. This fairly massive everything cookbook was originally written during the early 1960’s, around the same time as my grandmother’s cookbooks. Claiborne, the New York Times food editor and reviewer at the time, often wrote favorable reviews and tidbits about my grandmother and her cooking and baking. With her frequent trips to Mexico, I like to imagine my grandmother exchanging authentic Mexican cooking tips with Claiborne.

This recipe might not be traditional, but it is hearty and delicious, especially on a cold fall (or winter) day. So what differentiates this Mexican Meatball Soup from the other recipes you might find? For starters, the addition of chipotle peppers. The spicy inexpensive pepper that shares a name with the well-known restaurant chain, adds heat and a little smoky flavor to the soup – but be careful not to add too many, they get pretty spicy when the base of the soup is pureed (I learned the hard way).

Another highlight of this soup are the meatballs themselves. I was pleasantly surprised by how flavorful and moist these simple beef meatballs were. They really are the best part of the soup (as they should be). Simple ingredients, a little spice, and a touch of authenticity that my grandmother would appreciate, makes this soup another oldie but goodie for the recipe books.

Meatball Rice Soup with touch of spice from chipotle peppers, perfect on a cold day | impeckableeats.com

Yum

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