Italian Wedding Soup: A Hearty and Comforting Dish
- Carbohydrate 71.9175606250544 g
- Cholesterol 5536.26529135118 mg
- Fat 1111.81392637538 g
- Fiber 0.750318749964237 g
- Protein 1366.69752246502 g
- Saturated Fat 322.475313504448 g
- Serving Size 1 1 recipe (7422g)
- Sodium 9740.37485689066 mg
- Sugar 71.1672418750902 g
- Trans Fat 98.2535086841901 g
- Calories 16134 calories
Step-by-step
- In medium bowl, combine meat, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, basil and onion powder; shape into 3/4 inch balls.
- In large saucepan, heat broth to boiling; stir in escarole, orzo pasta, chopped carrot and meatballs. Return to boil, then reduce heat to medium. Cook at slow boil for 10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
A written recipe cannot explain why tiny meatballs matter more than large ones in a proper brothy soup. Minature spheres integrate seamlessly with small pasta shapes like orzo, ensuring every spoonful contains a balance of protein, green, and starch. The phrase wedding soup derives from minestra maritata, a dialect mistranslation meaning married soup, which originally referred to the harmonious union of green vegetables and meat rather than nuptial celebrations.
- Shape meatballs to three-quarters of an inch in diameter so they cook through in exactly ten minutes of simmering broth.
- Beat the single egg thoroughly before adding it to the ground beef mixture to bind the proteins without requiring excessive bread crumbs.
- Maintain a gentle medium heat during the simmer phase to prevent the chicken broth from clouding with fat and starches.
- Stir the pot frequently while the orzo cooks to keep the small pasta grains from settling against the bottom of the saucepan and scorching.
- Pair this soup with crusty rustic bread rubbed with raw garlic to balance the savory, mineral bitterness of the wilted escarole.
Proper temperature control guarantees the greens retain their vibrant color instead of turning drab. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
