Kittencal's Italian Wedding Soup

Once the meatballs are shaped this soup takes very little time to put together and to cook, it makes a wonderful soup to serve at a dinner party --- the success of this soup will strongly depend on your quality of chicken broth so use the very best, the meatballs may be prepared covered and refrigerated up to a day in advance and i strongly recommend doing so to blend the flavors --- the complete recipe may be doubled.

Steps

For the meatballs.

In a bowl combine all ingredients together , using hands mix until well combined.

Shape into 3 / 4-inch balls.

Place onto a plate or refrigerate until ready to use.

Pour the chicken broth in a large saucepan then add in the black pepper.

Bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Drop in the meatballs , then stir in the escarole or spinach , lemon zest and uncooked orzo.

Return to a simmer.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the orzo is tender.

Optional.

At the end of cooking mix in 1 / 3 cup of parmesan cheese until heated through.

Season with salt if desired.

Ladle into bowl then sprinkle with more parmesan cheese on top.

Ingredients

chicken broth, fresh ground black pepper, lemon zest, escarole, orzo pasta, parmesan cheese, extra lean ground beef, ground pork, parsley, egg, garlic cloves, green onion, dry breadcrumbs, seasoning salt