Albondigas Soup with Cut Beans

Serves 8. The pot starts with tsp cumin, then corn kernels.

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp cumin
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 lb ground beef, turkey, sausage, or a combination of any two
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro leaves
• 3 tbsp fresh spearmint leaves, chopped fine
• ½ cup cooked rice, al dente (or par boiled rice)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lg onion, chopped
• ¼ cup celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced fine
• 1 (14 oz can) diced tomatoes, with juice (undrained)
• 6 cups chicken or beef broth, low sodium
• 1 cup water
• 2 med carrots, chopped
• 1 lg potato, peeled & cubed
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 sm zucchini, diced
• 1 cup corn kernels (frozen is fine), optional
• 1 (15 oz) can cut green beans, drained
• Cilantro, sour cream, avocado, or whatever you like!

Method

1. Beat the egg in a mixing bowl, then add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne pepper, and oregano. Stir well.
2. Tip in the meat, cilantro leaves, spearmint leaves, and rice. Stir together until well combined. keep it nearby.
3. Turn on the Sauté setting. When hot, add the oil.
4. Sauté the onion and celery until softened.
5. Tip in the garlic, while stirring the whole time, and cook about 20-30 seconds.
6. Stir in the can of diced tomatoes and stir.
7. Stir in the broth, water, carrots, potato, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Heat to a simmer/low boil.
8. With the 1 Tbsp scoop or spoon, scoop out one meatball at a time and gently add them to the simmering soup.
9. After all of the meatballs are in the soup, close the lid and seal it.
10. Turn off the Sauté setting. Then press the Pressure Cook or Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 4 minutes. High Pressure. The pot will take several minutes to come to pressure.
11. When the cook cycle has finished, turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to Quick Release the steam/pressure. Watch it to be sure no broth spurts out with the steam. If it does, close the vent and release in bursts.
12. When the pin in the lid drops back down, open the lid and very carefully stir the soup.
13. Stir in the zucchini, corn, and green beans. Leave it to the residual heat soften the vegetables before serving.

More instant pot ideas are in the instant pot collection.