ITALIAN MEATBALL SOUP (SLOW COOKER)

Welcome back to 'Let's Cook.'

Before we start today's recipe, I must admit to a mistake in last weeks recipe. (Strawberry Tiramisu)

Really, I did goof and left out a sentence. It has been corrected.

Today we are going to have Soup and Sandwiches for dinner. This will also make for a GREAT lunch tomorrow as well.

This recipe comes from one of my favorite Cook Books.

SLOW COOKER REVOLUTION (TEST KITCHEN)

And you can get your very own copy right HERE 

Here is what we'll need for today's recipe

4 Slices of High quality white sandwich bread torn apart. (They called for 2 slices. I upped it to 4 since I am doubling the meat portion)

½ Cup Whole Milk

1 lb. of Ground Chuck

1 lb. of Sausage

1/2 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese (+ some for serving)

3 TBL Minced Fresh Parsley

1 large Egg Yolk

6 Garlic Cloves (Minced)

1 ½ tsp fresh Oregano (OR ½ tsp Dried)

Salt & Pepper

1 Onion (Minced)

1 TBL EVOO + some for serving

¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes

8 Cup of HOMEMADE Chicken Broth

8 ounces Kale, stemmed and leaves sliced ¼ inch thick

6 Ounces of ORZO (about 1 Cup)

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OK, Let's get to work

Mash bread and milk into a large bowl using a fork.

Mix in the beef and pork, Parmesan, parsley, egg yolk, 3 of the Garlic Cloves, oregano, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ½ tsp of pepper.

(Note- The recipe called for ½ lb. Beef and ½ lb. Pork- SO you might want to up the salt and pepper)

Mix well, using your hands.

Now, spoon up tablespoon size meat balls and place them on a plate.

Microwave meatballs on High until fat renders and meatballs are firm.(3-5 min)

Pour off the fat and transfer the meatballs to the slow cooker.

Microwave the onion, the remaining 3 Garlic cloves, oil and red pepper flakes until softened (about 5 minutes) Transfer to slow cooker.

Add the broth to the slow cooker. Cover and cook until meatballs are tender. (4-6 hours on low.)

Time to check on the President.

So busy 

And have a refreshing adult beverage.....

When cooked, let soup sit for a bit, then skim off any fat that comes to the surface.

Stir in the Kale and Orzo, cover and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes.

Season with Salt and Pepper to taste.

Serve with additional Parmesan and some Olive oil.

This was SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOD !!!! I got out the Panini Press, and made up a couple of Ham & Cheese sandwiches, It went great with the meatball soup. 

So there you have it. Another great Slow Cooker meal. You can prepare most of this ahead of time, then when you come home for lunch finish the prep.

And while you are at work, you can let your slow cooker do all the work.

When you get home, it's easy to cook up a sandwich, add the soup and have a great dinner.  WITHOUT GOING OUT TO EAT !!!

That's all the time we have for now, friends. I hope you come back next time for another easy to make recipe. 

Proving that if I can cook, SO CAN YOU!!!

See you then !!