Discover Lebanese koosa soup with meatballs, which nourish your body and touch your soul. In addition, join me on a journey to a cozy Middle Eastern restaurant in Manhattan, where I witness the power of food to bring a community together in the face of adversity. Perfect the recipe at home and bring a piece of Middle Eastern culture to your table. Read on to learn more!
One evening in Manhattan, I was in a Middle Eastern restaurant with my co-worker. As we sat down and perused the menu, the cozy and welcoming atmosphere of the place struck us. The decor was rich with vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Furthermore, the tantalizing aroma of spices and herbs filled the air.
We started our meal with a bowl of Lebanese koosa soup with meatballs which arrived at our table steaming hot. As we took our first sips, the taste transported us to a world of flavors and textures we had never experienced before. The soup was rich and savory, with a hint of sweetness from the fresh vegetables and the subtle spices the chef had carefully added.
While we were enjoying our Lebanese koosa soup with meatballs and noticed an older Lebanese man sitting nearby. He seemed to enjoy his meal just as much as we were, and we couldn’t help but converse with him. After that, we learned that he was a regular at the restaurant and had been coming there for years to enjoy the delicious food and the warm company of the staff and other customers.
Suddenly, we heard a loud commotion outside. We rushed to the window and saw a fire in a nearby building. The flames spread quickly. Consequently, people panicked as they tried to evacuate the area. Our hearts were racing as we watched the chaos unfold, but we knew we had to stay calm and follow the staff’s instructions.
The restaurant owner and the chef quickly sprang into action, providing water and towels to the first responders and helping calm the customers. The older Lebanese man we had been talking to also pitched in, using his years of experience and wisdom to help guide people to safety.
After the fire had been put out and the area had been deemed safe, we sat back at our table to finish our meal. The Lebanese koosa soup had grown cold, but it was still delicious. So, we savored every last spoonful. As we chatted with the staff and the other customers, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the sense of community and camaraderie we had witnessed in the face of such a scary situation.
As we were getting ready to leave, I had an impulse to ask the chef for the recipe for the soup. I knew it was a long shot, but I couldn’t resist the temptation to recreate that soup’s magic at home. To my surprise, the chef agreed to give me the recipe and even offered to show me how to make it in his kitchen the next time I would be in town.
I was thrilled to learn from such a skilled and experienced chef, and I eagerly accepted his offer. We exchanged phone numbers and email addresses and promised to keep in touch.
In the days and weeks that followed, I experimented with the recipe for the soup, tweaking and adjusting it until I had perfected my version. Every time I made the soup, I was transported back to that evening in the Middle Eastern restaurant in Manhattan, and I felt a sense of gratitude and joy for the experience and the memories it had given me.
Here is how I create the Lebanese koosa soup with meatballs at home.
Ingredients:
Soup:
- 2 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 pieces of finely diced celery stalks
- 1 small finely diced yellow onion
- 3 medium Lebanese koosa, cut into small pieces (or green or yellow zucchini)
- 2 tsp of kosher salt
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- 1 minced clove of garlic
- 48 oz. of tomato juice
- 1 cup of long-grain white rice
- 1 cup of labneh (yogurt cheese)
- 10 fresh finely chopped spearmint leaves
- 2-4 cups of water
- Juice of half a lemon
Meatballs:
- 1 lb of lean ground beef or lamb
- 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
- 1/4 cup of fine bulgur
- 1 tsp of kosher salt
- 1 minced clove of garlic
- 1 tsp of mint salt or crushed dried mint
How to create Lebanese koosa soup with meatballs?
- Heat the olive oil in a large, sturdy pot over medium heat to make the soup. Add the chopped onion, celery, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir everything together and sauté for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables become soft.
- Next, prepare the koosa (or zucchini) by cutting it into small wedges. Trim the ends of the squash, cut it lengthwise into quarters, and then slice it into 1/2-inch wedges. Add the koosa, minced garlic, cinnamon, and rice to the pot. Season with another 1/2 teaspoon of salt, stir well and cook for 5 more minutes until the koosa is tender.
- Pour the tomato juice and 2 cups of water into the pot. Add another 1/2 teaspoon of salt, increase the heat, and bring the soup to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked.
- While the soup is cooking, you can make the meatballs. Mix the ground beef (or lamb), bulgur, minced garlic, cinnamon, salt, and mint in a medium-sized bowl. Shape the mixture into small, 1-inch meatballs (this recipe should yield about 50 meatballs).
- Add the meatballs to the soup pot and increase the heat to bring it back to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to medium and let the soup cook for another 15 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked.
- Finally, add the remaining teaspoon of salt and squeeze in the juice from half a lemon. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. To serve, ladle the soup into warmed bowls and sprinkle with chopped fresh mint. Top each bowl with a dollop of labneh (yogurt cheese), and enjoy!
I’m glad that my story of discovering Lebanese koosa soup with meatballs has piqued your interest in trying new flavors and cuisines and sharing the joys of cooking with others. Remember, cooking is not just about following recipes – it’s also about experimenting, adapting, and infusing your creativity into the dish. So, don’t be afraid to put your own spin on the recipe and share your culinary creations with your loved ones. Thank you for joining me on this culinary adventure, and I wish you all the best in your own culinary explorations and experiments!
