When it comes to a comforting and hearty meal, Italian Wedding Soup is hard to beat. There is something special about that tender savory meat, shock of green vegetables, and flavorful broth that comes together so well. And when you are feeling too tired or too worn out to cook something with a lot of flair, an Italian Wedding Soup has just the right blend of flavors. We’ve put together a simple recipe for Italian Wedding Soup that you can easily make at home, and it is sure to become a family favorite.
What is Italian Wedding Soup?
The name “Italian Wedding Soup” possibly comes from its hearty simplicity that travelers would appreciate – especially those crossing the Atlantic to America come the turn of the 20th century. Consisting of various meats and vegetables, this soup offered warmth and nutrition during bitter cold weather. The recipe entails the simple combination of small meatballs, greens, orzo and broth.
This unusual name does not mean it was particularly served at weddings, in fact it was more originally named “minestra maritata” (or “married soup”) due to the harmonious marriage of the meat and the greens in the recipe.
The Secret to Perfect Italian Wedding Soup
A lot of the magic of Italian Wedding Soup is in the preparation. While it may not take much time to prepare, attention to detail is essential to achieve the perfect flavor and ambience. One of the most important tasks for creating an authentic and tasty Italian Wedding Soup is to make the meatballs. The best Italian meatballs will be soft and easy to eat, with a slightly tangy flavor. To achieve these results, you can use a secret ingredient: cooking wine. This little addition helps to give the meatballs that extra punch of flavor.
One other important aspect of Italian Wedding Soup is the choice of greens. Fresh spinach leaves are the most traditional, and their tender texture works perfectly in the soup. But you could also use chard, escarole, or kale. When choosing the greens, the most important thing is that they are fresh, as this is what will give the soup its vibrant green color.
How to Make Italian Wedding Soup
Now that you know a little background about Italian Wedding Soup and why it’s regarded as such a classic, here’s how to make it at home.
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
• 3/4 pound ground pork
• 3/4 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup cooking wine
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
For the Soup:
• 2 quarts chicken stock
• 1 pound greens, such as spinach, chard, escarole or kale, washed and chopped
• 1 cup orzo
• 1/4 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano
• salt and pepper for seasoning
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, combine the ground pork and beef with the bread crumbs, parmigiano-reggiano, parsley, cooking wine, garlic, salt, and pepper. Then shape into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, simmer the chicken stock over medium heat. Add the greens and orzo and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the orzo is tender and the greens are wilted.
3. Add the meatballs to the soup and continue to simmer until they are cooked through, about 5 more minutes.
4. Season the soup with salt and pepper and stir in the parmigiano-reggiano just before serving.
Serve and Enjoy
Italian Wedding Soup is one of those classic and timeless recipes that is enjoyed by everyone. Follow the above steps and you will have a delicious soup in no time. Whether you are making this homemade version of Italian Wedding Soup for a special occasion or just to bring comfort to your everyday meal, you are sure to receive rave reviews. Serve and enjoy!
