Albondigas Soup

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup short-grain rice

Cooking spray

2 cups chopped onion, divided

1 1/4 cup white bread crumbed

1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro, divided

1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 tespoon salt

1/2 pound lean ground pork

1/2 pound ground sirloin

2 large egg whites (or 1 whole egg)

1 cup chopped carrot

1 garlic clove, minced

1 cup chopped seeded peeled tomato (or canned tomatoes, chopped)

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth ( I used more )

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

2 cups chopped zucchini

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Pour water over rice, and let stand 20 minutes. Drain.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add 1/2 cup onion to pan; cook 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.

Place bread in a food processor; pulse until couarse crumbs form. Measure out 1 1/4 cups. Combine rice, cooked onion, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup cilantro, oregano, and next 5 ingredients, stirring well. Shape mixture into 29 (1 inch) meatballs. Chill 20 minutes.

Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add 10 meatballs, and cook 6 minutes, browning on all sides. Remove meatballs from pan; drain well on paper towels. Wipe drippings from pan with a paper towel. Repeat procedure with cooking spray and remaining meatballs. Return pan to heat. Coat with cooking spray. Add 1 1/2 cups onion, carrot and garlic to pan; saute 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in tomato and broth, bring mixture to a boil. Add meatballs and mint to pan. Reduce heat, and simmer 35 minutes. Add zucchini, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to pan. Cook 10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro