Soup's On!!

It's cold, raw, and raining. Perfect weather for a fire and a cup of soup and slice of homemade bread. This soup is one I made for my kids every Halloween before they went out to trick or treat. It's a tasty, healthy, comforting soup. Many know this as Italian Wedding Soup. To me it will always be Mom Mom soup as my maternal grandmother made it for us frequently.

Mom Mom Soup

1       lb ground round or mixture of beef, veal, and pork
2       beaten eggs
¼      c Parmesan cheese
¼      c Italian breadcrumbs
1        tbs dried basil
1        tsp salt

Mix ingredients together. Roll into very small meatballs (smaller than 1”). Place on baking sheet or microwave safe plate. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 or microwave for about 4 minutes on paper towels.  Set aside.

3-4     quarts chicken stock
4-5     carrots, peeled and sliced into 1” slices
3        stalks of celery, chopped
1        10 oz pkg frozen chopped spinach or escarole
1        onion,  chopped

Boil one half package of acini di pepe - a pastine-like, small pasta. Drain and set aside.

In a large stock pot sauté onion until transparent. Add chicken stock, carrots, celery, and spinach or escarole. Cook for 20 minutes. Add meatballs. Simmer for an hour. Add acini di pepe. Serve with additional grated Parmesan cheese.