Italian Wedding Soup with Sausage Meatballs

Makes 4 to 6 servings


Active time: 20 minutes


Start to finish: 45 minutes

VARIATION

Substitute escarole for the curly endive for a more prominent flavor.

Tasty greens, swirls of egg, lots of heady Parmesan and flavorful meatballs are what you’ll find in this easy-to-prepare soup. Serve with a loaf of garlic bread and your meal is complete.

Meatballs:

1 large egg

1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs

1/4 cup whole milk

1 pound bulk Sweet Italian Sausage or purchased sausage

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Soup:

6 cups Chicken Stock or purchased low-sodium stock

1 pound curly endive, rinsed, cored, and coarsely chopped

2 large eggs

1/2 cup freshly grated

Parmesan, divided

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. Combine egg, breadcrumbs, milk, sausage, and Parmesan, and mix well into a paste.

2. Combine stock and endive in a 4-quart saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer soup, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

3. Using wet hands, form meatball mixture into 1-inch balls, and drop them into simmering soup. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or until cooked through and no longer pink.

4. Whisk eggs with 2 tablespoons cheese. Stir soup and gradually add egg mixture to form thin strands. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve immediately, passing remaining cheese separately.

Note: The soup can be made up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated, tightly covered. Reheat it over low heat, covered.