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Italian Wedding Soup with Orecchiette

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 5 hours

Ingredients
  

  • 1 batch Parmesan Fennel stock see below
  • 1 batch Meatballs see below
  • 1 cup dried orecchiette
  • 1 head lacinato kale stalks removed, coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 loaf of chiabatta sliced thin
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded

Parmesan Fennel Stock

  • 1 large Parmesan rind
  • 1 fennel bulb quartered
  • 1 sweet onion halved
  • 3 small carrots cut into thirds
  • 1/2 bulb garlic
  • 12 sprigs flat leaf parsley
  • 3 celery stalks coarsely chopped
  • 14 g 0.5 oz dried mixed mushrooms
  • 12 cups water
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • Salt to taste

Meatballs

  • 454 g 1lb ground pork
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley coarsely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

For the Stock

  • Place the rind and vegetables into a large stock pot. Add the water and wine, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduced the heat to a simmer and cover. Let cook for 4 hours or until the liquid is reduced by half. Taste and season with salt accordingly. Remove the stock from the heat and set aside.

For the Meatballs

  • Place all the ingredients except the olive oil in a large bowl. Using clean hands, mix the ingredients until well integrated. Form the meat mixture into mini 1/2 teaspoon-sized meatballs.
  • In a large skillet, heat a quarter-sized amount of olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add half of the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Repeat with the remaining half of the meatballs. Set the browned meatballs aside until ready to use.

For the Soup

  • When ready to assemble the soup, preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Arrange slices of ciabatta on a large baking sheet. Brush a little olive oil on each slice and sprinkle with salt. Toast the bread until golden, about 7 minutes. Remove the bread from the oven and top the slices with parmesan. Return the pan to the oven and toast until the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes.
  • While the bread is toasting, bring the stock up to boil. Add the orecchiette and cook for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the meatballs, cook for another 10 minutes. Stir in the kale and cook until it begins to wilt.
  • Divide the finished soup amongst four bowl and top with 2 or 3 ciabatta slices. Serve immediately.