Hearty meatball and vegetable soup (that's almost a stew)

This morning maki from Just Bento posted a Hearty meatball and vegetable soup (that's almost a stew) recipe.  I don't eat meat very often (only hamburgers...once every couple months) but I do love soup and my son loves meatballs so this is definitely a recipe we will be making soon.

Recipe: Hearty meatball and vegetable stew (that’s almost a stew)

Makes 8 hearty servings
For the meatballs:

• 350g / 12 oz. lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup or so dried bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. or so black pepper

For the soup:

• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 small bunch parsley
• 2 medium carrots, cut into chunks
• 3 celery stalks, cut into chunks

Additions to soup at the end:

• 1 tablespoon white or red miso
• additional parsley (chopped or a leaf or two) for garnish
• salt and pepper to taste

In a large, heavy bottomed pan, saute the 2 chopped onions and garlic cloves in olive oil over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent. Add 2 cups of plain water and bring up to a boil. Lower the heat to a slow simmer and simmer for about 10 minutes.
While that simmers, make the meatballs. Mix all the meatball ingredients together in a bowl - your clean hands are the best tool for this. Form into about 30 small meatballs.
Add the rest of the soup ingredients to the pot (except for the ones listed under “additions, plus 6 cups of water. Bring up to a boil then lower the heat to a simmer. Put in the meatballs (no need to brown them or anything beforehand). Simmer for at least half an hour.
Dissolve the miso paste in some of the hot soup liquid, then add the whole thing to the pot. Taste, and season with salt and pepper.
The soup improves after resting for a day or more. You may want to skim off the oil that accumulates at the top.
To serve, garnish with more chopped parsley. (Don’t put the bay leaf or the parsley bunch in any of the servings.)
Estimated calories per 1 cup serving with 3 meatballs is 200 calories, give or take a few calories.

Freezing notes

This soup freezes very well - mainly because no potatoes are included. Frozen cooked potatoes turn into an awful mealy mush. If you want potatoes with your soup, just carry along some boiled potatoes separately.