veal and rice meatball soup
with lemon and rainbow chard

- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup (50g) long-grain white rice
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon rind
- ¾ cup (180ml) water
- 1.5 litres chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 sprigs flat-leaf parsley
- 500g veal mince
- ¼ cup oregano leaves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1 eggwhite
- sea salt and cracked black pepper
- 1 cup (200g) feta, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, extra
- 6 sprigs oregano, extra
- 200g rainbow chard leaves, stalks trimmed
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the rice, garlic and 1 tablespoon of the lemon rind, and cook for 1 minute. Add the water and bring to the boil. Cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce heat to low and cook for 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Pour the stock into a large saucepan. Add the bay leaves and parsley sprigs, bring to the boil, reduce heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes.
- Place the rice mixture, veal, oregano leaves, parsley leaves, eggwhite, salt, pepper and 80g of the feta in a large bowl. Mix well to combine. Roll 2 tablespoons of the mixture into balls and set aside. Heat the extra oil in a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add the oregano sprigs and cook for 30 seconds or until crisp. Remove and set aside. Cook the meatballs in 2 batches, turning occasionally, for 3 minutes or until just browned. Add the meatballs to the stock and cook for 5 minutes or until just cooked through.
- Divide the rainbow chard between 4 bowls. Top with the soup and meatballs. Sprinkle over the remaining feta and lemon rind, and top with crispy oregano to serve. Serves 4.