Italian Wedding Soup

The boys were super excited to go to their Screaming Eagles Ski Program today.  They were going to meet the ski hill groomers of Holiday Valley Resort. Nothing was cooler than getting a chance to meet these individuals who are responsible for grooming the hills into perfect corduroy! And nothing was cooler than learning what it's like to ride in one of those monster grooming machines! Dave and I eagerly listened to the boys telling us all about the groomers while eating delicious spoonfuls of Italian Wedding Soup. I made a crockpot of this amazing soup and it was the perfect compliment to our ski lodge conversation.

As soon as the boys were done with their morning ski program and learning about the groomers, they met Dave and I at the ski lodge for lunch. They couldn't wait to tell us all about the groomers but before they started Tyler asked "Why do they call this Italian Wedding Soup? Do they serve it at Italian weddings?" I laughed and said "Yes!" He then responds "Okay, since we are Italian will you make this soup for my wedding?" Italian Wedding Soup really gets it's name from the Italian phrase minestra maritata which means "married soup." They (italians) called it married soup because the two key ingredients, meats and greens go perfectly together. Basically meaning that meats and greens are a match made in heaven or the perfect pair, hence the name Italian Wedding Soup. The meat is made into tiny meatballs and the greens are typically spinach, escarole, or kale.

I love Italian Wedding Soup not only for the meatballs and greens but for the broth which is a chicken base with parmesan cheese. You cook the chicken broth with a small rind of parmesan cheese. The flavor profile is nutty and salty. Add some small pasta to this soup like acini di pepe or orzo and it's a complete meal. The meatballs are made small enough that you could eat them in one spoonful. Meatballs, spinach, orzo and a chicken broth all in one spoonful is an italian delight!

This soup is the perfect ski lodge soup but it is also the perfect soup for any occasion, like listening to the coolest ski groomer stories! Salute to Italian Wedding Soup or Minestra Maritata: married soup!

Italian Wedding Soup

Tyler making the mini meatballs the night before

Saute the carrots, celery, onions and garlic

Nate adding the chicken stock

The parmesan cheese rind add so much flavor

Tyler proud of his meatball making skills

Zachary loving the soup after a morning of skiing

Nate about to ski on some corduroy that the groomers made

Holiday Valley Ski Groomers in action

One of the groomers explaining how it's done!

Italian Wedding Soup (Click to print recipe)

Preparation and cook time: 2 hours

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

For the meatballs: (can be made a day ahead)

• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey, chicken or beef (I used turkey)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup seasoned italian breadcrumbs
• salt n pepper

For the soup:

• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cups diced celery
• 1 cup diced onion
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 tb olive oil
• 1 small piece of parmesan cheese rind
• 1 can cannelloni beans
• 10 cups chicken stock
• 1 1/2 cups small pasta
• 6 oz fresh baby spinach
• salt n pepper
• Grated Parmesan cheese for topping

For the meatballs, combine turkey, breadcrumbs, egg and salt n pepper in a mixing bowl. Shape approximately 40 meatballs (no more than 1 inch) and place on a cookie sheet line with foil. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Meanwhile, saute carrots, celery, onions and garlic in olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute until veggies are semi soft. (since I made this in the crockpot I sautéed the veggies on stove top then added to crockpot) Add the meatballs, cheese rind, stock and salt n pepper. Let cook for 45 minutes with cover over low - medium heat. (If using a crockpot cook on low for 3-4 hours) Add pasta and cook until tender. Add spinach and stir for 5 more minutes. Ladle in bowls and add grated parmesan cheese to top.

Kale and Potato Soup

Well it's another ski day for the Siwiec family, minus me. I knew yesterday I would not be skiing today. The weather report was calling for blustery snowy conditions with winds up to 45 mph. Dave and the boys called me crazy for not wanting to ski. Several of the Western New York Ski Clubs were actually cancelled due to the weather advisory. So I called them crazy for wanting to ski! There is no doubt I am a fair weathered skier. Dave and the boys will ski in any conditions all day long, that's what die hards they are. Knowing I wasn't going to ski, I was really looking forward to being home by myself relaxing and watching episode after episode of House Hunters and Real Housewives of New York. Then I started feeling a little guilty for not wanting to ski. And Dave didn't help...he started laying it on thick by saying "Andrea don't forget one of the reasons we enjoy skiing so much is it allows us to spend quality time together as a family. Plus, if you don't go we'll be forced to eat the cafeteria style food at the lodge!" He knew that's all he had to say was cafeteria food. So the wonderful wife and mother that I am went with them; to spare them from having to eat the lodge chili of course. (let's not even get me started on the lodge chili cause that's a whole other post) I know call me a sap, call me a sucker, call me a sap sucker!  I caved. We compromised though, I brought my iPad and magazines to the lodge and relaxed while they skied. It wasn't so bad. I enjoyed people watching and checking out what other skiers brought to the lodge for lunch. One table had gumbo, one had ziti and meatballs, and another had pulled pork. Our table: Kale and Potato Soup. I've made this recipe before so I knew everyone would love it. Plus it's healthy! I added red pepper flakes which gave it a nice kick. The potatoes and cannellini beans make this a rustic hearty soup. I couldn't wait until lunch time.

After a few hours of skiing Dave and the boys walked into the lodge with bright red cheeks, frozen fingers and snow covered coats. They also had the biggest smiles on their faces when they saw me sitting there waiting for them with hot cocoa and hot soup. Nothing made me more happy! Was the lodge as comfortable as sitting at home on my plush couch? No. Was the lodge more entertaining than watching HGTV and BRAVO on our 60 inch flat screen TV? No. Was the lodge better choice for spending quality time with my family? Absolutely!

Salute to eating Kale and Potato Soup with my family at the ski lodge! 

Kale and Potato Soup (Click for recipe)

Serves 8-10

Ingredients:

• 10 cups chicken stock
• 2 cans cannellini beans
• 10 oz chopped kale
• 2 large russet potatoes peeled and diced
• 1/4 t red pepper flakes
• salt n pepper
• small piece of parmesan cheese rind
• shaved parmesan cheese

In a crockpot add all of the above ingredients except the shaved parm cheese. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Pour in soup bowls and add shaved parn cheese.

Nate and Dave

Zachary and Tyler

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup was the recipe I made this weekend to take to the ski lodge. Nate took one spoonful and said "I don't know what this soup is even called but I do know it's crazy good! Just call it crazy good soup mom." We all laughed and then Tyler and Zachary chimed in and started saying how amazing it was too. Then Dave started on how delicious it was. Honestly, I agreed with all of them too it was that good. The best thing about this soup is how it tastes, the second thing is it's smell! Oh my gosh, the second I took the cover off of the crockpot it smelled like salsa was just freshly pureed. Honestly, people who were sitting next to us were taking in an extra breath just to smell the aroma! I love it when I try a recipe for the first time and it turns out WAY better than expected.

This soup was the perfect ski lodge meal to warm our bodies. Ski conditions were perfect with tons of fresh snow, the sun was beaming and it was cold. Probably a little too cold...didn't hit past 10 degrees. Also didn't help that we got hit with another snow storm. Schools and highways closed for 2 days. Luckily Dave got us to Ellicottville in under 3 hours taking the side roads. 

I've made hundreds of soups over the years but I never ventured to make tortilla soup. It always looks delicious in cooking magazines or on food sites from the internet. And I know why it's called tortilla soup...it tastes like you are taking a big bite out of a taco with the freshest ingredients. There are chipotle chilies and jalapeño peppers so there is a kick to the soup, but not over powering. There is also lots of fresh cilantro and lime juice which gives it a refreshing taste. The toppings, like the tortilla strips, add layers of flavor and crunch. There is a medly of shredded cheese on the top and the heat of the soups melts it and it's all gooey, but so good! Everyone had seconds with the exception of Tyler, he had thirds! The soup was that delicious. 

This recipe took about 4o minutes to prepare. I typically like making quicker prep meals for the ski lodge since I generally make them in the morning before we leave. You could easily make this the night before and keep it refrigerated. Or if you have have the extra time and want to impress, this a well worth the effort. It's very easy to make, there are just several steps. 

Based on my families positive food impressions on this soup, it's one I plan on making again and again and again! Salute to Chicken Tortilla Soup - the crazy good soup!

Tortilla Soup (Click to print recipe)

Prep and cook time: 40 prep, 3 hours in crockpot or on stovetop

Serves 10

Ingredients:

1 rotisserie chicken, skinned and diced 

1 bag of frozen corn

1 cup of frozen carrots

1 small onion, diced

2 cans black beans

1 can diced tomatoes

1 small can chipotle chilies

1 jalapeño peppers, diced and seeded, or use seeds for extra heat.

2 tb minced garlic

1/4 cups chopped fresh cilantro

3 tb lime juice

12 cups chicken stock
salt n pepper to taste

For garnish:

*cooked white rice

Shredded Monterey jack, cheddar cheese or manchego cheese

Tortilla strips (Most grocery stores sell packaged tortilla strips)

Lime juice

Sour cream

Scallions

Fresh cilantro 

In a crockpot, add the diced chicken and all of the other ingredients. Stir and let cook on high heat for 3 hours.

Add a spoonful of *white rice to each bowl. Add a large spoonful of soup over top and add garnish of choice.

Amazing day of skiing and amazing day for soup

Dave and Nate

Tyler and Zachary