Italian Wedding Soup

For variations, hints and more recipes for this versatile dish, see sneakykitchen.com
== Ingredients ==
* 1 recipe of your favorite meatballs from 1 lb lean beef, made very small
* 4 qts good chicken broth
* 2 med carrots, scrubbed and chopped
* 1 large stalk of celery, coarsely chopped
* 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped, or 2 tsp dried
* 2 bay leaves
* ½ tsp oregano, dried
* black pepper to taste
* red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
* 1 tsp lemon juice
* salt to taste
* 10 oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed
* 8 oz orzo, uncooked, or other tiny pasta
== Directions ==
# Put the broth on to boil while you prepare the veggies.
# Add the carrots, celery, Onion, garlic, seasonings and lemon juice, but leave the salt for later.
# Bring to a full rolling boil, then turn down the heat and cook until the carrots are very tender.
# Add salt to taste.
# Squeeze the thawed spinach gently to remove excess liquid, and add with the Pasta.
# Bring back to a boil, then turn down to a simmer.
# Add the meatballs and simmer gently until the Pasta is well done and the meatballs are hot.
# Extra cooking at a low simmer only improves this dish.
# Serve with crusty bread, and, if you like, a sprinkle of good Parmesan cheese.
Mangia!
Category:Healthy Soups
Category:Italian Soups
Category:Healthy Main Dishes
Category:Spinach Recipes
Category:Orzo Recipes
Category:Beef Recipes
Category:Wedding Recipes
Category:Main Dish Meat Recipes