Koofteh Tabrizi

Ingredients
HERBED BALL
 * 1 lb ground beef or veal
 * 1 1/2 cups rice, raw,well rinsed
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, ground
 * 1/4 teaspoon pepper
 * 2 tablespoons tarragon, dried
 * 2 bunches Italian parsley, chopped fine in a processor
 * 1 cup leeks, fine chopped
 * 1/2 cup dill, fresh
 * 1/2 cup onions, chopped fine

BROTH
 * 3 tablespoons oil
 * 2 medium onions, sliced
 * 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, ground
 * 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 5 cups water
 * 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)

Directions

 * Mix all the meatball ingredients together and roll into balls, 2-1/2 inches in diameter, firmly packed.
 * Refrigerate them for 1 hour.
 * To make the broth, heat the oil in a pan or soup kettle, add the onions and turmeric, and stir-fry over moderate heat until light brown, about 3 minutes.
 * Add the tomatoes and salt and stir-fry for 2 minutes more.
 * Add the water and bring to a boil.
 * Moisten your hands with cold water.
 * Take each herbed ball and roll it firmly; add the balls to the broth very carefully, one at a time, so that they do not not fall apart.
 * The water should just cover the balls.
 * Cover the pan and cook over moderately low heat, without stirring, for 45 minutes.
 * Add the green peas and cook for 10 minutes more.
 * The broth will reduce somewhat, the balls swell considerably due to the expansion of the rice.
 * Serve warm-- with the meatballs in the broth.