I want the recipe. My family doesn't believe in soup with meatballs. I must change their minds.
This is sort of my version of a Rachel Ray recipe. None of it is carved in stone and you can change it to suit your taste
128 oz box chicken stock (two 48 oz boxes and one 32 oz box)
Olive Oil
Carrots
Celery
Onion
Chicken bouillion cubes
Ground Beef and Pork- approx 2 lbs ish (Publix calls it Meatloaf mix - 2/3 beef 1/3 pork))
Parsley
Grated Italian cheese (asiago, parmesean, locatelli...anything you like)
Bread crumbs
Orzo pasta (any small pasta will work)
Basil
Zest of one lemon
Nothing is really measured. It's all a bit of guessing.
In a large stock pot, put a couple of tablespoons of olive oil (enough to coat bottom of pot)
Add diced celery, carrots and onion and saute
Add chicken stock
add 5 bouillion cubes crushed
Bring to a boil
Ok....my Mom doesnt eat onions or celery, so I strain the stuff out of the liquid at this point. If you like the stuff in the soup...leave it in.
Lower heat to simmer
Mix ground beef beef and pork in a bowl with chopped parsley, a handfull of bread crumbs and a handful of grated cheese. Mix well.
I use a melon baller / ice cream scoop to make mini meatballs. You can do it by hand but it's tedious. Makes 36 - 40 approx)
Slowly (and very carefully) add meatballs to stock.
If you have strained the stuff out of the stock, I'd add about a pound of crinkle cut carrot slices. If you have left the stuff in....you dont need to do this.
Add 1/2 box or orzo. Dont add whole box even though you want to. Orzo absorbs a lot of liquid
Bring to a boil again,
Add fresh chopped basil and lemon zest.
Lower temp and simmer.
Salt to taste.
Thats it.
You can add anything you want. I have done this with diced chicken tenders instead of the meatballs.
I have done it with beef stock instead of chicken.
Both were ok...but the original seems to be the most popular.
john and my Mom seem to love this.
It's great comfort food.