Iranian Beet, Plum and Celery Soup with Kubbeh (Meat Dumplings)

• 2 cups semolina or farina
• 2 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 4 small onions, peeled
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
• 5 garlic cloves, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup diced celery root
• 1 pound (about 3) beets, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 6 small red plums or apricots, pitted and diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or as needed
• 1 teaspoon sugar, or as needed
• 2 tablespoons chopped celery leaves
• 1 cup chopped Italian parsley or cilantro
• 1/2 pound lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves

1. Mix semolina or farina and 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt in a bowl.
2. Gradually add about 1 cup hot water, mixing with a fork until the consistency of Play-Doh.
3. If necessary add a bit more water.
4. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
5. Dice one onion.
6. In large pot, heat oil and add diced onion and garlic.
7. Saute until golden.
8. Add celery root, beets and plums or apricots.
9. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
10. Add 6 cups of water, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low.
11. Simmer until beets are tender, about 15 minutes.
12. Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon sugar.
13. In food processor, combine remaining onions, celery leaves and parsley or cilantro.
14. Pulse until finely chopped but not pureed and transfer to a large bowl.
15. Add beef, black pepper and remaining 1 teaspoon salt.
16. Mix well with fingers.
17. Remove dough from refrigerator and knead again until pliable.
18. With wet hands, take a walnut-size portion of dough and flatten it as thinly as possible in your palm.
19. Place 1 heaping teaspoon of meat mixture in center.
20. Completely enclose meat in dough and roll it into a ball between your hands to seal.
21. Keeping your hands wet, repeat with remaining dough and filling.
22. Bring soup to a boil and gently add dumplings.
23. They will sink.
24. Cover and simmer gently until cooked through, about 30 minutes, adding water if soup becomes too thick.
25. Add more lemon juice and sugar if needed.
26. Ladle into bowls, garnish with mint, and serve.

farina, salt, onions, vegetable oil, garlic, celery root, beets, red plums, lemon juice, sugar, celery, italian parsley, ground beef, freshly ground black pepper, mint leaves

Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/9234 (may not work)