Romanian Meatball Soup: Ciorbă de Perișoare
Diana Oana
This traditional Romanian soup is a comforting blend of meat, vegetables, and a tangy sour base, typically topped with fresh lovage and served with crusty bread.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Soup
Cuisine Romanian
For the soup: 2 tomatoes or 7-8 cherry tomatoes 1 large white onion 2 tablespoons sunflower oil (or vegetable oil) 2-3 carrots 1 parsley root 1 celery root 1 red bell pepper 3 liters water salt to taste For the meatballs: 500 g ground pork and beef in equal amounts 50 g semolina 1 small onion finely chopped 2 small eggs 1 teaspoon salt For the finishing mix: 2 egg yolks 2 tablespoons sour cream 2-3 tablespoons tarragon in vinegar chopped
Peel and chop all the vegetables.
Heat the sunflower oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until softened.
Add the remaining chopped vegetables and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Pour in the water, add salt to taste, and stir in the chopped tomatoes.
Cover the pot and simmer for about 20 minutes, while we prepared the meatballs.
For the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, semolina, chopped onion, eggs, and salt. Mix well until fully combined.
Using your hands, form small, round meatballs.
Add Meatballs to the Soup: After the soup has simmered for 20 minutes, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
Carefully add the meatballs to the soup, one at a time.
Let them cook for about 15 minutes until fully cooked through.
Finishing the Soup: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sour cream, and chopped tarragon in vinegar.
Gradually ladle a few tablespoons of hot soup into the mixture to temper it, whisking constantly.
Slowly stir the tempered mixture back into the soup.
Add freshly chopped parsley leaves and adjust the seasoning with more salt, if needed.
Serve hot, optionally accompanied by crusty bread for dipping.