Italian Wedding Soup Recipe by Ina Garten
Italian Wedding Soup is a classic dish that is both hearty and comforting. Ina Garten, also known as the Barefoot Contessa, has her own take on this traditional soup. Her recipe combines delicious homemade meatballs with vegetables and pasta, creating a flavorful and satisfying dish.
Ingredients:
– For the meatballs:
– 3/4 pound ground chicken
– 1/2 pound chicken sausage, casings removed
– 2/3 cup fresh white bread crumbs
– 2 teaspoons minced garlic
– 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
– 1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
– 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
– 3 tablespoons milk
– 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper
– For the soup:
– 2 tablespoons good olive oil
– 1 cup minced yellow onion
– 1 cup diced carrots (about 3 carrots)
– 3/4 cup diced celery (about 2 stalks)
– 10 cups chicken stock
– 1/2 cup dry white wine
– 1 cup small pasta, such as acini di pepe or orzo
– 1/4 cup minced fresh dill
– 12 ounces baby spinach, washed and trimmed
Cooking Instructions:
1. To make the meatballs, combine the ground chicken, chicken sausage, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, Pecorino Romano cheese, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should get around 40 meatballs.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
4. Add the chicken stock and white wine to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Drop the meatballs into the boiling broth, one by one. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
6. Stir in the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
7. Add the fresh dill and baby spinach to the soup. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, until the spinach wilts.
8. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
9. Serve the Italian Wedding Soup hot in bowls. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
This recipe yields about 8 servings and takes approximately 45 minutes to prepare. Enjoy this delicious and comforting Italian Wedding Soup by Ina Garten!