Indulge in a culinary journey to Italy with this delightful Italian Wedding Soup recipe, inspired by the renowned Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten. This hearty and comforting soup is a symphony of flavors, featuring tender meatballs, a savory broth, and an array of vibrant vegetables. With its rich history and satisfying taste, this soup is sure to warm your heart and tantalize your taste buds.
In addition to the classic Italian Wedding Soup, this article presents a collection of equally enticing recipes, each with its own unique flair. From the creamy and flavorful Tuscan Sausage and Kale Soup to the zesty and refreshing Lemon Orzo Soup, there's a soup for every palate and occasion. Whether you're craving a comforting meal on a chilly day or a light and tangy lunch, these recipes have you covered.
So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a culinary adventure with these exceptional soup recipes. Let the aromas of simmering broth, fresh herbs, and savory spices fill your kitchen as you create dishes that will leave a lasting impression on your family and friends.
THE BEST ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
We tried all-sausage meatballs but found them heavy and dense - adding ground pork keeps them light but still extremely flavorful. Wilting the escarole at the end adds a texture and freshness that you won't get from spinach or a less-sturdy green. If you really want to up the umami factor you can always toss a Parmesan rind into the broth as it simmers, but we didn't miss it when made without.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 3h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Combine the thyme, bay, oregano and peppercorns in a 10-inch square of cheesecloth and bring the corners together to create a parcel. Tie it closed with kitchen twine.
- Stir the panko, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Stir in the cream, egg and half the grated garlic until completely combined.
- Combine the ground pork and sausage in a large bowl. Pull the ground meat apart with two forks as if you were shredding pulled pork, breaking up the clumps and incorporating the meat without compacting it until thoroughly mixed and no clumps remain.
- Add the breadcrumb mixture to the meat and use the same pulling technique to mix until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Scoop out portions of the meat mixture with a 1-ounce ice cream scoop (or use two heaping tablespoons). Roll the meat gently between your hands into balls. Arrange the balls on a rimmed baking sheet. You should have about 24 meatballs.
- Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half the meatballs and cook, turning and rolling occasionally, until they are lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes total. Remove to a plate; the meatballs will not be cooked through, just browned on the outside. Repeat with the remaining meatballs.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the chicken skin-side down. Cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Turn the chicken and add the onions, carrots, celery, remaining grated garlic. Season the chicken and vegetables with 1 tablespoon kosher salt and cook, stirring occasionally and scraping up the browned bits, until the vegetables have softened slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and cook until it's almost completely evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add 8 cups water and the cheesecloth parcel and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the chicken is just cooked through, about 30 minutes.
- Remove the chicken to a plate and let cool slightly. Shred the chicken with two forks, discarding the skin and bones.
- Meanwhile, add the meatballs and pasta to the broth and simmer until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove the sachet. Stir in the escarole and shredded chicken and continue cooking until the escarole is wilted and tender, about 5 minutes. Serve topped with parsley and grated Parmesan.
ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
Ina Garten uses chicken meatballs and vegetables in her version of classic Italian Wedding Soup, from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network.
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories appetizer
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- For the meatballs, place the ground chicken, sausage, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, Pecorino, Parmesan, milk, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl and combine gently with a fork. With a teaspoon, drop 1 to 1 1/4-inch meatballs onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. (You should have about 40 meatballs. They don't have to be perfectly round.) Bake for 30 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside.
- In the meantime, for the soup, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and saute until softened, 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken stock and wine and bring to a boil. Add the pasta to the simmering broth and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Add the fresh dill and then the meatballs to the soup and simmer for 1 minute. Taste for salt and pepper. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1 minute, until the spinach is just wilted. Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle each serving with extra grated Parmesan.
BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
Adapted from "Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics". I often freeze half of the meatballs to make it much less time consuming to have this delicious soup for another meal.
Provided by keldry
Categories < 30 Mins
Time 30m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- To make the meatballs~ place the ground chicken, sausage, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, Pecorino, Parmesan, milk, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl and combine gently with a fork. With a teaspoon or small portion scoop, drop 1 to 1 1/4-inch meatballs onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. (Makes about 40 meatballs.) Bake for 30 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside.
- While the meatballs ar baking, prepare the soup broth: heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large pot. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and saute until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken stock and wine and bring to a boil. Add the pasta to the simmering broth and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Add the fresh dill and then the meatballs to the soup and simmer for 1 minute. Taste, and add salt and pepper if needed. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1 minute, until the spinach is just wilted.
- Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle each serving with extra grated Parmesan.
INA GARTEN'S ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP (BACK TO BASICS / BAREFOOT CON
This is the original out of her Back to Basics Cookbook. There are other versions out there with the ingredients adjusted and redone but this one is the real deal. The difference is that the meatballs are made with ground chicken and chicken sausage not beef or pork. A welcome change from the normal wedding soup. Ina Garten aka the Barefoot Contessa makes this traditional soup in a different yet wonderfully flavorful way. The directions look to be many but they are spread out to make it easier to make. Don't let it intimidate. After the meatballs it is simple. Perfect for those cold days and nights. Enjoy! ChefDLH
Provided by ChefDLH
Categories Poultry
Time 1h5m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- For the meatballs, place ground chicken.chicken sausage, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, Pecorino Romano, Parmesan, milk, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 tsp.pepper in a bowl and combine gently with a fork.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. With a teaspoon, drop 1 to 1 1/4-inch meatballs onto the sheet pan. You should have about 40 meatballs.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside.
- In the meantime, for the soup, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot.
- Add the onion, carrots, and celery and saute until softened, 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken stock and wine and bring to a boil.
- Add the pasta to the simmering broth and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the pasta is tender.
- Add the fresh dill and then the meatballs to the soup and simmer for 1 minute. Taste for salt and pepper.
- Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1 minute, until the spinach is just wilted.
- Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle each serving with extra grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 407.1, Fat 15.8, SaturatedFat 4.3, Cholesterol 93.6, Sodium 968.9, Carbohydrate 38.2, Fiber 3, Sugar 9.9, Protein 24.4
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh vegetables, hearty broth, and flavorful Italian sausage are essential. - Don't be afraid to adjust the ingredients to your liking. Add more or less vegetables, or use a different type of sausage. - Serve the soup with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread for a complete meal. - For a vegetarian version of the soup, omit the sausage and add more vegetables, such as diced carrots, celery, or zucchini. - To make the soup ahead of time, cook it according to the recipe and then let it cool completely. Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to serve, reheat the soup over medium heat until warmed through.Conclusion:
Barefoot Contessa's Italian Wedding Soup is a classic comfort food that is perfect for a cold winter day. The soup is packed with flavor, thanks to the combination of sausage, vegetables, and broth. It's also easy to make, and can be tailored to your own taste. Whether you're a fan of traditional Italian cooking or just looking for a delicious and hearty soup, Barefoot Contessa's Italian Wedding Soup is sure to please.
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