Baby It's Cold Outside

October 21, 2013

Happy Monday!
I have a special request from my sweet husband for a soup post this week. The primary reason for this is that it's becoming quite chilly outside. The secondary reason is that he wants something comforting as he's one bad night's sleep away from a cold. Italian wedding soup sounds like it fits the bill!

1. 2 quarts homemade chicken stock or low-sodium broth
2. 1 large carrot, finely diced
3. 1 celery rib, finely diced
4. Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
5. 1/4 cup orzo
6. 1 pound ground pork
7. 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving
8. 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
9. 5 ounces baby spinach, chopped
10. One 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
11. 1. In a large pot, bring the chicken stock to a boil with the carrot and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Add the orzo and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes.
12. 2. Meanwhile, in a bowl, knead the pork with the 1/4 cup of cheese, the bread crumbs and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 1-inch balls.
13. 3. Drop the balls into the boiling soup and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach and chickpeas and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through, 5 minutes longer. Serve, passing extra cheese at the table.
14. 4. Pair with a fruity northern Italian red

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/italian-wedding-soup

Saturday, October 26th, 2013

Hi here!

I truly think I have a problem following the rules-AND this is my own recipe post. (Possibly a reflection of my own tragic flaw?) 

Anywho, despite my rebellious ways the soup tasted spectacular. What I did differently:

1. Beef meatballs a-la Nanna's recipe; 1lb of ground beef, S&P, 1 egg, herbs, 1/2 c. grated parm, breadcrumbs and milk to taste/texture. 
2. I had rice and dry lentils in my pantry, thus I was too cheap to buy orzo and chickpeas.
3. To pump up the nutritional factor kale was subbed for spinach.

I'm looking forward to seeing how your's turned out! Hopefully it is a comforting meal to have while recovering from the flu. Feel better soon love dove!

Xox,

ANF(M)

Such a wonderful way to end the week! Landey left for training in Texas today so this was a fun meal for one to prep tonight. I think rebellion and innovation are in our make up! 

I made a few adjustments as well... some on purpose and some on necessity! 

I used ground turkey because I couldn't find ground pork but it was still super tasty! 

I also forgot bread crumbs/thought I would just be able to tear up the baguette in our pantry really tiny... not so much! 

I did use the baguette and some crushed tortilla chips. I think it worked out pretty well! 

Other than that I stuck to the recipe. I thought it was so good! I was shocked by all the flavor. 

Good timing! I'm feeling much better... but secretly 4.5 days off work has been kind of nice. 

One month til Thanksgiving! Yay!