CIORBă DE PERISOARE (PORK-AND-RICE MEATBALL SOUP)

Steps:

• . Mix pork, rice, egg, half the onion, and salt and pepper in a bowl until evenly combined. Form into eight 1 1/2″ meatballs, and chill. 2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a 6-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Add remaining onion, celery, carrot, and bell pepper; season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add tomato paste and paprika, and cook, stirring, until lightly caramelized, about 2 minutes. Add stock and tomatoes, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add meatballs, and cook, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are cooked through, about 15 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup and meatballs into serving bowls, and garnish with parsley to serve.