Recipes - MOMS Club, Tampa

Meatball Alphabet Soup
From the Kitchen of Karen

Meatballs:
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp. onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 lb. ground beef

Soup:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
5 cups chicken stock
1 cup crushed canned tomatoes in puree
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
pepper to taste
1/3 cup alphabet pasta, dry (find in health food store)

Combine bread crumbs, cheese, onion, garlic, herbs, and spices in a large bowl. Mix in the egg, then add ground beef, mixing well. Shape into 1-inch balls. Heat a skillet coated with cooking spray or small amount of vegetable oil. Cook meatballs over medium-low heat for 8-10 minues, turning often to brown evenly. Remove from heat.

Heat olive oil in a soup pot. Add onion, celery and garlic. Partially cover the pan and cook the veggies over moderate heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chicken stock, crushed tomatoes and spices. Bring soup to a simmer over medium-low heat, then add pasta. Simmer gently (5 min.) until pasta is almost cooked, then add meatballs and simmer for 3 minutes.