White Bean and Escarole Soup with Turkey Meatballs

Rated 4 out of 5
(3)
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Ground turkey is often a combination of white and dark meat. For this soup, ask the butcher for only the dark meat. It is a little higher in fat, but turkey is relatively lean compared to other poultry and meat, and the dark meat is more flavorful and higher in iron. Serve this soup with a loaf of warm, crusty artisan bread. 

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground turkey 
  • 1 egg 
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus shavings for garnish 
  • 2 Tbs. dried bread crumbs 
  • 1/4 tsp. salt 
  • 1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper 
  • 2 cans (each 14 1/2 oz.) white beans 
  • 1 head escarole 
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil 
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped 
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced  
  • 1/4 tsp. dried thyme  
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine 
  • 4 cups chicken broth 

Directions

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, egg, grated cheese, bread crumbs, salt and pepper and mix until well blended. Shape into 1-inch meatballs and arrange about 1/2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat an oven to 375°F.

Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake the meatballs until firm to the touch and no longer pink in the center, 16 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, drain and rinse the white beans. Tear the escarole leaves into bite-size pieces and set aside.

In a large pot over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned, 1 to 2 minutes more. Add the wine and boil until mostly evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the broth and bring to a simmer. Add the beans and escarole and cook until the escarole is wilted, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the meatballs and cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.

Ladle the soup into warmed bowls and garnish with cheese shavings. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Eat Well, by Charity Ferreira (Oxmoor House, 2008).

Rated 4 out of 5 by from Great, easy soup. I've made this soup over a dozen times in the 3 years I've had this recipe, and I've loved it every time. I make it with kale because escarole is hard to come by in my local grocers. I typically add carrots and celery with the onions. I also add some dried thyme, rosemary, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder to the meatballs. It's great with a crusty piece of bread to sop up the delicious broth.
Date published: 2018-04-27
Rated 3 out of 5 by from very bland I found this recipe to be very bland and had to extend a lot of effort to give it some flavor: 2x the thyme, basil, parsley, red pepper flakes, tons of salt and pepper. That said, once I was done "doctoring" it up, it came out pretty good. Add to that that it's nutritious (also added carrots) and low fat I just might make this again.
Date published: 2015-10-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Hearty, Healthy and Delicious! This is a delicious dinner soup. I didn't make any changes to the recipe except I doubled the chicken broth amount (I always do) and I cooked the escarole in water ahead of time and then just added to the broth - this worked out really well. My husband and I both loved it with some chunks of ciabatta bread (I don't even think it needed the bread - the beans are hearty). On a level of difficulty it took about 30 minutes of prep which I did in between putting the baby to bed. Going to be a winter favorite in our house!
Date published: 2013-10-23
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