Happy marriage soup

With plenty of greens and herbs, this hearty flavourful soup with meatballs and orzo will sure to be your family favourite.

• serves

  4

• prep

  20 minutes

• cook

  35 minutes

• difficulty

  Easy

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Ingredients

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large leek, finely sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 litres chicken stock
• 300 g (1½ cups) orzo
• 120 g baby spinach
• 1 bunch curly endive (or cavalo nero), torn
• lemon wedges, to serve

Mini meatballs

• 2 slices bread, torn
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 45 g (½ cup) grated parmesan, plus extra to serve
• 2 tbsp roughly chopped chives
• ¼ tbsp roughly chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp finely chopped sage
• ¼ tsp dried oregano
• 1 large egg
• 500 g “Bolognese mince” (pork and beef)
• salt and black pepper, to season

Instructions

1. For the mini meatballs, preheat the oven to 200˚C. Combine the bread, garlic, parmesan and herbs in a small food processor and process to a coarse consistency. Transfer to a large bowl, add the egg and mince, season with salt and pepper and mix well. Roll into small meatballs and place on baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake for 20 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the leek, garlic and celery for 5 - 6 minutes or until fragrant. Add the bay leaves and stock and bring to a simmer. Add the meatballs and orzo and simmer for 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender.
3. Add the spinach and endive and cook for 1 minute or just until wilted. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Serve topped with a grind of black pepper and extra grated parmesan, with a wedge of lemon on the side.

 

Photography by Kitti Gould.

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Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

Stream free On Demand

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Watch The Full Episode Here

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