Albondigas Soup With Cilantro Pesto

• 3/4 cup short-grain white rice
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 white onions, diced
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• For the Cilantro Pesto
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 fresh mint sprig, stemmed and chopped
• 2 limes, juice of
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Place the rice in a heatproof bowl. Bring the water to a boil and pour it over the rice. Let soak for 40 minutes, then drain; set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a saute pan over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil. Add 1 of the diced onions and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.
3. In a bowl, combine the pork, beef, cooled onion, soaked rice, egg, cumin, oregano, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper. Using your hands, mix well and form into 1-inch balls.
4. In a large soup pot over medium heat, warm the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add the remaining diced onion and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, zucchini, carrots and tomatoes and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock, stir well and bring to a boil. Carefully slip the meatballs into the pot, reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered until the meatballs are fully cooked, about 45 minutes. Stir in the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
5. While the soup simmers, make the cilantro pesto: In a mini food processor or a blender, combine the cilantro, mint, lime juice, olive oil, water and salt. Process to a paste.
6. Ladle the soup into warmed soup bowls and top each serving with a dollop of cilantro pesto. Serve at once.

shortgrain white rice, water, vegetable oil, white onions, ground pork, ground beef, egg, ground cumin, oregano, salt, fresh ground pepper, garlic, zucchini, carrots, tomatoes, chicken broth, cilantro, fresh cilantro, mint sprig, olive oil, water, salt

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/albondigas-soup-with-cilantro-pesto-229817 (may not work)