No matter how hard I try to think and dig my brain, there would not be any interesting memories about soup from my childhood! I don't think Mom ever made a soup from scratch. It was always the instant, packaged soup that was quickly whipped up to keep us warm during the monsoon season. And, we always loved those packaged soups.
Irrespective of the season, a soup can be the most comforting meal to enjoy with some bread on the side.
Although, we mostly prefer a creamy vegetable soup for dinner, this light clear soup was a delightful treat for the tummy. Fresh vegetables, flavored with spices and herbs, meatballs for the extra protein and orzo for that starchy creaminess in the broth.
I am sure even noodles or spaghetti will taste great along with the meatballs. I just decided to use orzo as it's my personal favorite pasta for any soup. And, it fits perfectly fine next to the tiny meatballs. That's just my silly theory!
For my vegetarian friends who don't eat meat, I am sure that veg balls will taste equally good. Grate some veggies, add dried herbs or spices, mix it properly, bind it with little bit of flour and you are set to make veg balls for the soup.
The meatballs should be made before you start preparing the soup. It's just pan fried to give a golden crust and later dropped in the soup to cook through.
This soup doesn't have any rules and you can throw whatever vegetables you like in the pot. Just cook the veggies until they're tender and soup will be ready for supper. Inspiration for this recipe came from the Bon Appetite Magazine
If you are wondering why the bread looks orange? It's the compound butter, which I am finding really hard to stay away from!
Meat Balls and Orzo Soup
Ingredients
for the meatballs
- 1 cup minced chicken
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves of garlic (grated)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- salt and freshly grated pepper
- 2 tablespoons oil to pan fry the meatballs
for the soup
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 inch ginger (grated)
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 carrots (cut in bite size)
- ½ celery stalk (cut in bite size)
- ½ cup orzo
- 1 tablespoon fresh or dried basil leaves
- 2 cups of water or broth
- juice of ½ lemon
- salt for seasoning
- grated parmesan for garnishing
Instructions
Prepare the meat balls
- In a mixing bowl, add all the ingredients (except oil) and mix until everything is properly combined.
- Make tiny balls and keep it aside.
- In a pan, heat the oil and fry the meatballs rolling it frequently to give it a nice brown crust.
Prepare the soup
- In a deep pan, heat the butter.
- Drop grated ginger, bay leaves and give it a stir.
- Add celery, carrots and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Season with salt and add basil leaves. Cook for couple more minutes.
- Now, add broth or water to the pan.
- Once it starts boiling, add the meatballs and let it cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add orzo to it, season with some more salt and let it cook for 8 minutes.
- Pour lemon juice and check for salt one last time.
- Discard the bay leaves and serve the soup with some grated parmesan on top for garnish.
Notes
Nutrition
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Gorgeous styling -- I love a simple, comforting and light soups similar to this recipe 🙂
torviewtoronto and createwithmom
delicious looking meal and presentation
pavithra
Mmmmmmmm I am soupy person..this looks so comforting and lovely pictures 🙂
sally
I'll have to try using orzo in soup. It sounds like a nice addition.
Fiona
That looks absolutely amazing. Especially here in San Francisco on a not so warm spring day (while the rest of the country is having some gorgeous sun). Really enjoy your photography as well. How did you light it?
Soma
Very beautiful! The food the photographs and everything else here. Its raining here and what a perfect meal this would make. (only if you could come over and make it for me :D) xo
Debs
My mum never made soup either, always from a tin!
Oh this looks and sounds so delicious, I never think of putting orzo in soup, have a packet in the cupboard too, thanks.
You are welcome to join in my monthly food blogger event THE SOUP KITCHEN, here all bloggers are welcome, hope to see you participate soon. Different theme each month.
Maja
I love it! Gorgeous photos Kankana!
easyfoodsmith
A beautiful and satisfying bowl of soup. The crusty bread with compound butter is a lovely accompanying flavour. Congrats on top 9.
Deeps @ Naughty Curry
the soup bowl is so pretty, love all the pics... and that soup looks super hearty and delecious too, must have tasted awesome with crunchy garlic bread im sure
Kala
Your photos make this soup look absolutely delicious to try!
San
What a comfort soup on a cold day, liked your version of chicken meat balls n some great hints for veggie lovers too. Loved the pics kankana.
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy
I Love your soup pot.So pretty. Clear Chicken soup is my all time fav - combined with orzo, this looks yum!
Poornima
Looks so warm and inviting! Love the styling Kankana!
Sandra
Amazing presentation! I think soup should be enjoyed year round and I'm looking forward to trying this.
Sanjeeta kk
Oh ..I am gonna make it with my veggie balls..looks wonderful!
Nash at plateful
My family has a huge thing for clear soups, we love it much more than the creamy ones. The thing is, I'm going through one of those I-don't-want-to-cook spell, or else I'd have enjoyed making this wonderful one-pot! And oh really love that picture of orzo, also all the photos of your last post. And I must say that I've been coveting your prop collection ever since I saw those spoons on pinterest 🙂
tigerfish
I can have soup any season. I like your chicken meatballs spiced with cumin powder and chili. They are good addition to make the orzo soup complete.
maha
Wow delicious..can just imagine the taste..yummy soup..awesum pics..
maha
Yadsia @ShopCookMake
This definitely looks like a plate of comfort. Soups are so good!