Kale Meatball Soup, cloudy day with a chance of meatballs

February 19, 2012

Kale Meatball Soup, cloudy day with a chance of meatballs

"Cloudy day with a chance of meatball..."
What a perfect subtitle for this soup?

I often make soups for those days when there is no signs of bright sunlight.
I don't know..., maybe the biological system in my body commands the brain to do that.

So here, I gathered up some greens that I have in my fridge, and dumped in the chicken stock, and crossing my fingers for a magic.
Of course..., for being a domestic witch I pour the magic potion, cast a spell, and "Voila!" - the very comforting Kale Meatball Soup is born!!!!

Kai-lan, the Chinese kale/broccoli

These are the greens I used. It is called "Kai-lan", the Chinese kale. You can absolutely use the ordinary kale for this recipe. I just couldn't find it where I live.

Chinese kale is less bitter and more tender than regular kale. You can eat the stem as well since it gets tender once cooked.

My fusion attempt for this soup is that I use this Chinese kale to make Italian style soup with meatballs. Yes, it is delicious to the taste and so good for you, not to mention how easy it is to make...


Ingredients:

3/4 lb (12 oz) Chinese kale or other kale (stemmed), chopped
1-2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
5 cups low sodium chicken stock
1/4" small thin slice of Parmesan cheese
dashes of freshly ground nutmeg
dash pepper

For the meatballs:
1 lb ground beef
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1-2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 egg
salt and pepper to taste

Clean the kale.

My tip to clean leafy vegetables -- Use baking soda! Soak vegetables in the water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda for 5-10 minutes, then rinse. That will take care of pesticides and other impure teeny-weeny life forms.

Meanwhile let's make meatballs.

Combine all the ingredients; beef, parsley, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.

Crack an egg and add to them.

Mix until combined.

Roll into 1" size clones of balls

Chop onion

and kale into small chunks.

You might think it is a lot of kale but they will reduce in volume once cooked.

Brown the meatball with a little bit of olive oil in a soup pot.

Take them out and set aside.

In the same pot, saute the onion for 1 minute

and add our green goddess. Continue to saute for 2 more minutes. They will shrink.

Add chicken stock (I always use low-sodium)

Here is my witch spell. What is this? ... a small slice of Parmesan cheese.

Throw in the soup with reserved meatballs.

The cheese will slowly melt and adds in-depth flavor for this soup. You will love it. I promise.

Close the lid and bring to gentle boil, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the kale gets soft and tender.

Mmmmm... Looks good but not quite ready yet.

The magic sprinkle for the final touch. The nutmeg! Just a little bit.

Love the flavor it adds to the greens...

All done. Ladle up in a bowl and serve with crusty bread.