I’m excited to say that our YouTube channel has become pretty popular, even though we haven’t made a cooking video in a while. Folks from all around write comments, and on occasion, make requests.
A YouTube viewer recently asked for the following:
“I don't know what it's called, but my ex. Mother in law would make a yogurt (maybe mint too) soup with balls in it. Inside one of the balls, she'd put an olive for a lucky person to find. What is this soup called and can you make it?”
Here’s the recipe I think they're looking for…
‘Lucky’ Meatball and Madzoon (Yogurt) Soup
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| (Image from the gutsygourmet.net) |
Yield: About 4 to 5 servings
Meatball Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground beef (or ½ lb. ground beef and ½ lb. lean ground lamb)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Cayenne pepper and/or paprika, to taste
1 cup fine bulgur, size #1
1 small onion, minced
1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
1/4 cup flat-leaf Italian parsley, finely chopped (optional)
1 egg
1 pitted olive, optional (see meatball step #2)
1 pitted olive, optional (see meatball step #2)
Soup Ingredients:
3 cups plain yogurt
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons dried mint
2 – 14.5 oz. cans chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter
Meatball Directions:
1. Combine all of the meatball ingredients until well-incorporated. This can be done by hand or in a food processor.
2. Dip hands in a bowl of cold water, then roll meat-bulgur mixture into balls about ¾ inch to one inch in size. (NOTE: At this time, you can place a pitted olive in the center of one of the meatballs. Whoever receives that meatball in the soup at serving time, will be considered lucky.)
3. Cook the meatballs in a pot of boiling water until they float to the surface. Remove meatballs using a slotted spoon and place on paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Soup Directions:
1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt, egg, and dried mint.
2. Place yogurt mixture in a large pot. Begin cooking on a low heat, stirring constantly to prevent the egg from curdling. Stir in the chicken broth and butter; continue to stir and cook gently for 5 minutes. Do not let mixture come to a boil.
3. Add the meatballs and continue to cook at a low heat for 10 more minutes, stirring now and then.
4. Serve immediately. (Remember, the person who gets the meatball with the olive inside will have good luck!)