TO BE HONEST, I HAD NEVER HEARD OF ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP UNTIL ONE OF MY FRIENDS TOLD ME SHE WAS MAKING ONE. IT’S AN ITALIAN-AMERICAN SOUP; ONE YOU CAN FIND IN MANY ITALIAN RESTAURANTS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The term “wedding soup” is a little misleading. It has nothing to do with weddings, but rather it’s a marriage of ingredients that go well together. It’s actually a mis-translation of the Italian phrase “minestra maritata” (“married soup”). So the soup is basically that. I made my own version.
HERE’S MY TAKE:
INGREDIENTS:
Serves 4-6.
Meatballs:
- 1 large onion, GRATED (it will give you a paste-like onions which creates a smoother texture and more uniform flavor)
- 1/2 fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 16 oz. minced lamb
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 large egg
Soup:
- 12 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 pound chicory, roughly chopped (you can you use any vegetables)
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 large egg
*Don’t forget to scroll down for your Savory Sounds cooking soundtrack.
METHOD:
- First prepare your meatballs. Mix the first six ingredients in a mixing bowl. Then add the egg to help bind the ingredients.
- Make your meatballs, using about a tablespoon of mixture each. Set them aside separately on a baking dish or sheet.
- To make the soup, bring the broth to a boil in a large pot. Carefully drop the meatballs into the broth, one by one so they don’t fall apart.
- Allow the meatballs to start cooking, and then carefully drop in the celery and chicory.
- Once the meatballs are cooked (about 7-8 minutes), beat the egg in a bowl and slowly drop it into the soup.
- Slowly move the egg around the soup with a spoon so it doesn’t collect in one place. The egg will create a thicker texture (like chicken corn soup).
- When the ingredients are all cooked through, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed.
SAVORY SOUNDS
I’M NOT A TOP 40 TYPE, THESE ARE REMIX VERSIONS OF SOME CHART TUNES.
They keep playing in my workout classes, so I can’t get them out of my head. Please Forgive Me. <wink>
First a remix of Rihanna’s Love on the Brain.
DNCE’s Toothbrush re-rendered.
And finally 300 Violins. It’s not Top 40 or a remix but it’s definitely a good cooking song!
