Albondigas soup is a traditional Mexican dish that is packed full of flavor and nutrition. The heart of Albondigas soup is the rice stuffed meat ball that is slowly simmered in a rich tomato broth and served with vegetables. Today, Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant would like to put the spotlight on our delicious Albondigas soup and share more about this amazing dish and how it is made.
What is the History of Albondigas Soup?
Even though albondigas soup is regarded as a traditional Mexican dish, its origins actually begin in the Middle East. Albondigas soup was first introduced to Spain during the sixth century when Islamic influence dominated over the Southwest European regions. The Spanish adapted the albondigas soup and then brought the dish over to Mexican by the Spanish Conquistadors. Over the course of time as the dish traveled across the ocean and into different regions of the world, the soup was adapted according to local ingredients. Albondigas soup is now a bit more spicy, with the addition of different herbs and vegetables to make this tasty dish. Albondigas soup, which translates to small meatball, still uses ground beef and rice which is cooked in a vegetable broth. However, the flavor profile has greatly changed to the more traditional Mexican dish most people know today.
What is Albondigas Soup Made Of?
Albondigas soup is such a tasty dish because of how it is prepared and made. The meatball being the heart of the dish is traditionally made with ground beef. The ground beef is mixed with cooked rice, garlic, cilantro and cumin. However there are many variations of the meatball and the ingredients can vary. The ground beef mixture is then formed into balls. The meatballs are put off to the side and the broth is the next key element of the dish. Most often a tomato based broth is used for albondigas soup. Along with a tomato broth, other vegetables are put into the broth, slowly softening as they cook. As the vegetables soften that adds more flavor to the tomato broth. While the vegetables are cooking, the meatballs are also placed into the broth. With all of the ingredients combined together they will slowly cook together, which release an amazing combination of flavor.
Is Albondigas Soup Good for You?
Like many soups, albondigas is a very healthy dish that is full of nutrients. The ground beef provides a great source of protein. The rice provides carbs that provides longer term energy and helps get you feeling full. Tomatoes are packed full of vitamins. Tomatoes have vitamin C and K, which is a great source for potassium and folate. Tomatoes are known to help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Some of the common vegetables used in albondigas soup are onions, potatoes, carrots, and zucchini. The vegetables used for albondigas soup make this dish low in calories and full of nutrients.
Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Las Vegas, Nevada (Just Minutes from Summerlin, North LV, Paradise, Lone Mountain & Henderson, NV)
When you have a albondigas soup craving, come on down to Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant and try our albondigas soup today.
