Italian Tomato and Meatball Soup
Recipes for Home and Restaurant
by Nadine Lloyd
This delicious thick chunky soup was prepared by Nanna Hilda, Nadine, and Petra on a cold winters day in Queensland Australia. - Yum!
Ingredients:
(Serves 4-6)
Meatballs:
1kg (2.2lb.) lean beef mince
500g (1.1lb.) pork mince
2-3 large eggs – lightly beaten
1 medium white onion – finely diced
3 large cloves garlic – finely crushed
1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley – roughly chopped
1 bunch fresh basil leaves – roughly chopped
1½ tablespoons dried Italian herbs (Italian seasoning)
¾ cup Italian or panko bread crumbs
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 beef stock cube or (1 tablespoon beef stock powder)
1½ teaspoons M.S.G powder – to taste (Optional)
Salt and pepper seasoning – to taste
Soup:
1-2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium brown or white onion – finely diced
3 green celery sticks – trimmed and finely diced
1 medium-large carrot – peeled, trimmed, and finely diced
2x400g tin (2x14oz. cans) tomatoes – in juice
4-6 cups beef bone broth
1 beef stock cube or (1 tablespoon powder)
M.S.G powder – to taste
Salt and pepper seasoning – to taste
1¼ cups Ditalini or small pasta
Method:
Meatballs:
Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F)
Line two baking trays with baking paper and set aside.
Using a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients until fully incorporated. Do not over-mix.
Using clean damp hands, roll small/medium-sized meatballs. Place the meatballs onto the lined trays, then lightly spray with olive oil.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.
Soup:
Heat the olive oil in a large soup or stock pot. Using a wooden spoon, sauté the onion, celery, and carrot, over medium/high heat, for 5 minutes, or until softened and fragrant.
Add the tinned tomatoes, beef broth, salt, MSG powder, and pepper. Bring to a gentle rolling boil before adding the Ditalini pasta and meatballs.
Stirring occasionally, cook for a further 6-8 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through and becomes tender.
Serve hot in deep soup bowls.
Garnish with extra basil and parmesan cheese.
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