Meatballs—albondigas in Spanish—are the main attraction in this hearty soup. An egg and a little cream bind lean ground beef with some garlic, cumin, thyme, and oregano for a rich texture and taste

(Serves 6 to 8)

Meatballs—albondigas in Spanish—are the main attraction in this hearty soup. An egg and a little cream bind lean ground beef with some garlic, cumin, thyme, and oregano for a rich texture and taste. If you prefer, ground turkey or pork would work just as well. The meatballs simmer in a chicken broth enriched with carrots and a leek, and are spiked with jalapeño peppers. Our customers prefer their soup on the tame side, but it?s easy to turn up the heat by adding more chili powder or by leaving in the jalapeño seeds. This is Mexican home-style cooking at its best, because it gives you the chance to use whatever is on hand—zucchini, potato, celery, or corn would all be nice additions. So would a handful of baby spinach.

For the meatballs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion (1/4-inch dice or smaller)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 large egg
1/4 cup heavy (whipping) cream
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 teaspoon coarse (kosher) salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the soup
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 medium-size carrots, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
1 large leek, both white and light green parts, rinsed well and thinly sliced (about 1 cup), or 1 cup diced yellow onions (1/4-inch dice)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 jalapeño peppers, stemmed, seeded, and thinly sliced
1 cup diced fresh or canned tomatoes, with their juice
10 cups chicken stock or store-bought low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon chili powder
Coarse (kosher) salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

1. Make the meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and the cumin, thyme, and oregano and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is soft and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Place the egg and the cream in a small bowl and whisk until combined. Add the bread crumbs and stir to combine.
3. Place the beef in a medium-size bowl. Add the onion mixture, the egg mixture, and the salt and pepper and mix with your hands to combine. Form the beef mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a platter. Refrigerate the meatballs, covered with plastic wrap, for at least 1 hour or as long as overnight. (The meatballs can also be frozen at this point for up to 2 months. Let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight before proceeding with the recipe.)
4. Make the soup: Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add the carrots and leek and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and the jalapeños and cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic is soft but not browned, about 2 minutes.
5. Add the tomatoes, stock, and chili powder. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Add the meatballs and adjust the heat so that the soup simmers gently, uncovered, until the meatballs are cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.
7. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the soup hot, garnished with the chopped cilantro. Any leftover soup can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 3 days.