james' grilled cheese
- Italian Wedding Soup
ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP, WITH GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH
SERVES 8
STEP A.
1 lb ground meat any type: beef, lamb, turkey
½ medium onion small dice
4 slices white bread small dice
100ml whipping cream
28 oz can plum tomatoes
1 tsp ground thyme
1 tsp ground pepper
1 tbsp salt
STEP B.
½ cup vegetable oil
1 medium onion peeled, large dice
2 cloves of garlic peeled, minced
3 carrots peeled large dice
2 celery stalks washed, large dice
1 lb button mushrooms large dice
STEP C.
4 cups chicken or beef broth
STEP D.
1 cup small dried pasta
STEP E.
16 slices of artisan baguette
8 slices of semi soft cheese, not processed
tbsp butter
STEP F.
2 cups spinach washed and rough cut
METHOD
Assemble all ingredients and cooking utensils
1. STEP A. Sweat off onions, add cream to diced bread, place meat into large bowl, add all ingredients together. Make meatballs. Have fun! one per bowl or three, your choice! Place into small roasting pan cover with canned tomatoes and bake in 350 degree oven. Cook for one hour until done.
2. In a heavy bottom large pot, over medium heat, place STEP B oil into pot until hot. Saute garlic till golden, then add onions. Cook for one minute, add rest of vegetables and continue cooking for three minutes.
3. Add STEP C, bring to simmer for 30 minutes. Season to taste.
4. Add STEP D, and continue to simmer
5. Heat large frying pan on medium, assemble sandwich STEP E and brown both sides. Pat dry with paper towel. Keep hot.
6. Add STEP F to soup, taste for seasoning and make sure pasta is cooked
SERVICE
Heat bowls, assemble soup plate. Place meat ball(s) into bowl with a little tomato. Ladle in soup. Garnish with extra virgin olive oil. Place bowl and grilled cheese onto soup plate.
Enjoy! Have fun.
Chef James Hanna