Sopa de Albóndigas de Pescado
A hearty and flavorful fishball soup, a comforting dish often enjoyed in Honduras. It features tender fishballs made from flaky white fish, simmered in a savory broth with vegetables.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g White fish fillets (like corvina or tilapia)(skinless, boneless)
- 1 medium Fish head and bones(for broth)
- 12 cups Water
- 1 large Celery stalk(chopped)
- 2 leaves Bay leaves
- 1 cup Onion(finely chopped)
- 1 tsp Garlic(minced)
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 cup Bell pepper(finely chopped)
- 2 cups Tomatoes(peeled, seeded, and finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup Cilantro(chopped)
- 1 tbsp Chicken bouillon
- few drops Tabasco sauce(optional)
- 2 cups Carrots(diced)
- 2 cups Chayote(diced)
- 2 cups Potatoes(diced)
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup Corn flour
- 30 g Margarine
- 1/2 cup Parsley(finely chopped)
- 1 large Egg(lightly beaten)
- as needed for dusting Extra flour
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the broth: In a large pot, combine water, fish head and bones, chopped celery, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Add the fish fillets and cook until they turn opaque. Remove the fish fillets and set aside. Strain the broth and return it to the pot.
- 2
Make the sofrito: In a separate pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until softened. Add the chopped bell pepper, chopped tomatoes, chopped cilantro, chicken bouillon, and optional Tabasco sauce. Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- 3
Add vegetables to the broth: Add the diced carrots, chayote, and potatoes to the strained broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- 4
Prepare the fishballs: Flake the reserved cooked fish fillets. In a blender, combine milk, all-purpose flour, corn flour, chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. In a saucepan, melt the margarine. Add the chopped parsley and the blended mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens to a very dense consistency. Gently fold in the flaked fish and the lightly beaten egg. Mix well.
- 5
Form and cook the fishballs: Lightly dust your hands with extra flour. Take small portions of the fish mixture and roll them into small balls. Carefully drop the fishballs into the simmering soup. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the fishballs are firm and cooked through. Adjust salt and pepper in the soup to taste.
- 6
Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the fish for the broth is fresh for the best flavor.
- ✓Don't overcook the fish fillets when making the broth, as they will be used for the fishballs.
- ✓The consistency of the fishball mixture should be thick enough to hold its shape.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables like green beans or peas to the soup.
- Use a different type of white fish, such as snapper or cod.