Page 158 - The Mediterranean Refresh
P. 158

Italian Meatball


               Wedding Soup






                Serves: 8   I get really excited whenever I make Italian wedding soup.
                            It’s one of my favorite dishes, filled  with homemade
                            browned meatballs, fresh veggies and tiny bits of pasta. It’s   DINNER
                            perfect for any time of the day and never disappoints!



               INGREDIENTS            INSTRUCTIONS

               FOR THE MEATBALLS:     1.  Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet
               1 large egg            with aluminum foil, then set an ovenproof           THE MEDITERRANEAN REFRESH
               3 tbsp. finely         roasting rack on top. Generously spray the rack
               chopped fresh chives   with nonstick cooking spray.

               2 tsp. finely chopped   2.  In a medium bowl, beat the egg together with
               fresh sage             the chives, sage and garlic. Add all the remaining

               2 cloves garlic,       meatball ingredients and mash with your hands
               minced                 until well combined. Roll the mixture into

               ⅓ lb. 85% or 90% lean   tablespoon-size balls (about 1 inch in diameter
               ground beef            each) and place on the prepared rack. Bake until
               ½ lb. sweet or hot     lightly browned and cooked through, about
               Italian sausage,       18 minutes.
               removed from the       3.  Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium soup
               casings
                                      pot until shimmering. Add the onions, carrots and
               ½ cup grated           celery and cook, stirring frequently, until the
               Parmigiano-            vegetables are well softened, about 8 minutes.
               Reggiano
                                      Add the chicken broth, beef broth, water, wine, if
               ⅓ cup Italian-         using, bay leaf, salt and pepper and bring to a boil
               seasoned bread         for about 8 minutes.
               crumbs
               ¼ tsp. salt            4.  Cook the pasta according to the package
                                      directions until al dente, about 7 minutes. Taste
               FOR THE SOUP:          the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary,
               2 tbsp. olive oil      then lower the heat and add the spinach and
               1 medium yellow        meatballs. Simmer for a few minutes, until the
               onion, diced                                           recipe continues





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