• Chop: Cut the bacon into small cubes. Chop the onion finely. Set both aside in a small bowl.

  3.5 oz bacon/ 100 g
• Chop the carrot, celery stalks or celeriac, leek, and pepper into small cubes. Set aside in another bowl.

  1 medium onion + 1 large carrot + 2-3 celery stalks + 1 small leek + 1 small red bell pepper
• Slice the cabbage very finely or chop it into small pieces. Set aside in another bowl.

  9 oz white cabbage/ 250 g

Meatballs:

• Combine: Chop the onion very finely. Combine the ground beef with the onion, grated garlic clove, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix very well with your hands.

  1 small onion + 1 lb lean ground beef/ 450 g + 1 large garlic clove + 1 egg + 4 tablespoons dried breadcrumbs + 2 tablespoons parsley + 1 teaspoon fine sea salt + generously freshly ground black pepper
• Shape meatballs, about 30-35 walnut-sized meatballs. Set aside.

Soup:

• Saute: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add the bacon and the onion and saute for about 3 minutes.

  1 tablespoon olive oil
• Add the carrot, celery, leek, and pepper, stir well and saute, stirring often, for about 5 more minutes. Add sweet paprika to the vegetables, and stir well for one minute.

  ½ tablespoon sweet paprika powder
• Add the stock, tomatoes, sugar, thyme, one teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

  6 ½ cups chicken stock/ 1½ liter + 1 can diced tomatoes + 1 teaspoon sugar + 1 tablespoon thyme + ½ teaspoon pepper
• Simmer soup: Stir well and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes.
• Add cabbage and bring to a boil again. Simmer for 5 minutes, add the meatballs and drained black beans, and simmer for another 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the meatballs are cooked through.

  1 can beans
• Adjust taste: Add 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar and more salt and pepper to taste. Add the remaining red wine vinegar according to your taste.

  1-2 teaspoons red wine vinegar + fine sea salt and ground black pepper