Minestrone with Chicken Meatballs
A scattering of freshly grated cheese adds a welcome layer of flavor to many dishes. Mellow and nutty Parmigiano-Reggiano is one of the best cheeses for grating, but it is not the only option. Pecorino romano, a sharp sheep's milk cheese, is another good choice; or try milder cow's milk Asiago or dry jack. When grating, use a rotary grater or the smallest rasps of a box grater in order to reduce the cheese to the smallest particles and ensure a smooth incorporation into the dish.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs. olive oil
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and cut into rounds 1/2 inch
thick - 2 celery stalks, cut into slices 1/2 inch thick
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups chopped kale leaves
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped into 1-inch
pieces - 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 can (19 oz.) cannellini or white kidney beans
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- Salt, to taste, plus 1/2 tsp. salt
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- 2/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1/4 cup dried bread crumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus
more, to taste
Directions
In a soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion, carrots and celery and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the kale and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and tomato and bring to a boil. Stir in the stock, water and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover partially and simmer until well flavored, about 1 hour. During the last 10 minutes, drain the beans, rinse with cold running water and drain again, then add to the pot along with the basil. Season with salt and red pepper flakes. Discard the bay leaf.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the chicken, half of the cheese, the bread crumbs, egg, the 1/2 tsp. salt and the 1/4 tsp. black pepper. Increase the heat under the soup to medium and bring to a light boil. Drop rounded tablespoons of the chicken mixture into the soup. Their texture will firm up on contact with the hot liquid. Cover and cook until the meatballs are cooked through, about 12 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and black pepper.
Ladle into warmed individual bowls and serve hot. Pass the remaining cheese at the table.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the chicken, half of the cheese, the bread crumbs, egg, the 1/2 tsp. salt and the 1/4 tsp. black pepper. Increase the heat under the soup to medium and bring to a light boil. Drop rounded tablespoons of the chicken mixture into the soup. Their texture will firm up on contact with the hot liquid. Cover and cook until the meatballs are cooked through, about 12 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and black pepper.
Ladle into warmed individual bowls and serve hot. Pass the remaining cheese at the table.
Serves 8.