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Fast & Easy Dinner: Italian Meatball Soup

partysugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:28:39 -0800

With its steamy broth, hearty meatballs, and chunky vegetables, one would hardly know that this Italian soup is ready in under half an hour. So go ahead, tell your family/roommate/ husband/boyfriend/kids you slaved away all afternoon. Using pre-made meatballs, pre-made broth, and beans makes this a quick fix meal. Full of flavor, this soup is comforting and delicious. To make it for dinner tonight, read more

Italian Meatball Soup
From Gourmet magazine

1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup frozen chopped onions (about 6 oz)
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 celery rib, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
2 carrots, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
5 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (42 fl oz)
2 1/2 cups water
20 refrigerated or frozen precooked meatballs (15 to 20 ounces)
2 (14-oz) cans small white beans, drained and rinsed
1 (5- to 6-oz) bag baby spinach, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated for garnish

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 5- to 6-quart pot over high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook onions, garlic, celery, and carrots, stirring occasionally, until onions are pale golden, about 4 minutes.
Stir in broth and water and bring to a boil, covered.
Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté meatballs (do not thaw if frozen), turning occasionally, until browned all over, about 3 minutes.
Add meatballs to soup along with beans and briskly simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and meatballs are heated through, about 15 minutes.
Stir in spinach, cheese, salt, and pepper and simmer, uncovered, until spinach is wilted, about 1 minute.

Serves 4.

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Monday's Leftovers: Mexican Meatball Soup With Rice

YumSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:45:54 -0800

Tonight, I'll be using the ground beef from my last meal in a hearty, spice-tinged soup. Before you read the recipe, dispel any prior notions you might have of meatballs. This Latin version will be totally different, with bright notes of cilantro, the chunky acidity of salsa, and weighty body, courtesy of cornmeal and rice. For a different kind of meatball stew, read more.

Mexican Meatball Soup With Rice
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 3/4 cups chopped onions
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 small bay leaves
5 14-1/2-ounce cans beef broth
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
1/2 cup chunky tomato salsa (medium-hot)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 pound bulk pork sausage
6 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup long-grain white rice

Directions

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 3/4 cups onions, 2 garlic cloves and bay leaves; sauté 5 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes with juices, salsa and 1/4 cup cilantro; bring to boil. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine ground beef, pork sausage, cornmeal, whole milk, egg, salt, pepper, cumin, then remaining 1 cup onions, 2 garlic cloves and 1/4 cup cilantro in medium bowl. Mix well.
Shape meat mixture by generous tablespoonfuls into 1- to 1 1/4-inch balls.
Add rice and meatballs to soup and bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until rice and meatballs are tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and serve.

Serves 6-8.

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Let's Dish: What Will You Eat During the Super Bowl?

partysugar — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:00:26 -0800

I've always looked forward to the Super Bowl. Not because I'm a huge football fan, but because I'm a foodie. It's an excuse to unashamedly devour nachos, chili and buffalo wings. Anything excessive, spicy, unhealthy, and cheesy is welcome on the Super Bowl table.

This year I'm thinking about serving either an Italian menu (with pepperoni pizza dip and Italian sausage meatball sandwiches) or a more traditional menu (with guacamole and cheddar beer soup).

How about you? What's on your Super Bowl menu? If you aren't cooking, what do you plan on eating while you watch the game?

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