WEDDING SOUP

WEDDING SOUP

Every Christmas, we spend the day at our wonderful neighbors next door. It has been a joy watching their kids grow into fine young adults. It would not be Christmas without them.

When we retired, we sold the big house next door and moved a few miles away. But distance means little with family, so this year we drove back to the old hood. 

We had a wonderful time with them and their extended family, and loved 'catching up' on their lives.

It was a bit strange to see the house next door, but the new owners came over later and we had a great time. We were so glad that the house went to such a wonderful young family.

As usual, we were treated to a fantastic Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. My favorite was the wedding soup they served as a first course.

These folks are originally from New Jersey and came to Florida after college. Mom soon followed and brought her version of this delightful soup.

My version is a bit different from hers, but she promised me the recipe after seeing my version on Face Book. BTW Fran, I am still waiting......

So, here we go.

First of all, this is not as hard as it seems. Just gather all your tools and parts and follow along.

You'll thank me later

WEDDING SOUP

1 ½ CUPS CHOPPED ONION

¼ CUP GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE

(DO NOT use that crap in a can. I would show you a picture, but I don't want to get sued.)

¾ CUP CHOPPED CARROTS

¾ CUP CHOPPED CELERY

(I originally used ½ cup of celery and carrots, but felt it needed more)

1 TSP PRESSED GARLIC (ABOUT 3 CLOVES)

1/3 CUP MINCED FRESH PARSLEY

4 CUPS CHOPPED ESCAROLE

5 CUPS CHICKEN BROTH

Place a pot on medium high heat

add 2 TSP EVOO

When it 'shimmers' add onion, & celery. Saute

When translucent, add the garlic AND STIR FOR 30 SECONDS 

Add Chicken broth, cover pot and bring to a boil

Turn down to simmer

Add Escarol and Parm cheese.

Simmer while you get the meat balls ready

You can have an adult beverage now. But keep working !!!!

MEAT BALLS

Meat mixture is 2/3 Ground Beef , 1/3 Ground Pork (About 1.75 lbs. Total)

OMG, does this require MATH ????

2 Eggs

½ Cup Grated Parm Cheese (DO NOT use that crap in a can. Is there an echo in here?) 

1 TSP Dried Basil

1 TSP Salt

1 TSP Granulated Garlic

1 TBL Dried Parsley

Add all this to a bowl and mix well with hands. If no one is looking you can use gloves.

Add 1 Cup of Bread Crumbs to a separate bowl

Add ½ Cup of water

Stir this with a fork, then add to the meat bowl mixture

Add some parsley flakes, ½ Cup Parm, 1 TSP of Granulated Garlic, and ½ TSP Basil

MIX well. (get a new pair of gloves)

Roll meat balls into 1 inch diameter balls (1 ¼ works too)

I find this to work better if you use your BARE HANDS.

Add the balls (insert joke here) to the simmering soup and cook on med/low for about 45 minutes

Have a beer

Salt & pepper to taste.

You can serve this with most anything. Use it as a first course OR as a complete meal. You can also take it to work and AMAZE your co workers.

Goes with sandwiches (grilled cheese sounds good) Some chips, or just about anything.

Don't forget the beer

 

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

ROAST CHICKEN

Today we are going to show you how to roast up a big chicken.

The day I made this, it was it's pouring rain in Florida, so we did this in the oven.

I do like chicken. You can make it so many ways, I am sure you can find some chicken recipes you will like.

One of the easiest recipes I have found is just to throw that clucker in the oven. Simple, isn't it? I did say 'clucker', right?

But you have to do a couple of things before you can eat it. And I don't mean a drive to the KFC. (Although once in a while, I like that kind of chicken.)

This is great for a rainy weekend. AND you'll have enough left over for the following week. Another night you won't have to 'eat out'.

Here's how its done.

1 - ROASTING CHICKEN. Pat that bird dry and cut off the wing tips

Place a small rack in a large pan (grease the pan) 

Rub the bird with some EVOO and sprinkle with Seasoned Salt

Place the bird in the pan

Tie up the wings to the bird

Take a ½ head of un peeled garlic and place it in the cavity

Place some potatoes in the pan around the bird

Sprinkle some powdered Rosemary and the juice of one lemon on the chicken

Place another ½ head of garlic around the bird. (peeled)

Roast uncovered in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes

Time for an adult beverage

After 30 minutes, turn oven to 350 and roast for another ½ hour. Baste with ½ cup of chicken broth.

After 30 minutes, turn oven back to 400 and baste with another ½ cup of broth.

Yeah, go ahead. You have time 

After 30 minutes, turn oven back to 300 and roast until internal temp is 170 degrees.

Remove from the oven and rest the bird for about 10 minutes. 

Internal temp should rise to 180

Ready to cut up and serve.

I have yet to master the cutting up part, so Penny jumped in to assist 

Goes good with the taters, along with a side veggie and salad.

Or with just the taters.

Enjoy

SIMPLE RIBS FOR NEW YEARS

Here is a quick recipe we made for New Years a couple of years ago, and I thought I would share it with you. It's good ANY time of the year. And it's for people who may not like ribs. Yes, there are a few of us out there.

This is basic, kill it, cut it up and cook it. No fancy rubs, no marinade, none if that crap.

It's 'Meat', and a little salt and pepper. That's it. It's all you need.

Anyone can make this, so there is NO need to “eat out”.

I am not a rib eater, but I like these. A LOT. It's one of my favorite recipes.

Here's how it's done.

RECIPE

PLACE RIBS ON PAPER TOWEL

PAT DRY

REMOVE THE BACK MEMBRANE USING PAPER TOWEL

SALT AND PEPPER BOTH SIDES (ABOUT 1 TEASPOON OF EACH)

PLACE IN CROCK POT. YOU MAY HAVE TO FOLD IT UP, BUT THAT'S OK.

COOK ON HIGH FOR 30 MINUTES THEN TURN TO LOW

Have a beer

COOK UNTIL TASTY

Doesn't that look good? And it doesn't get any easier than this. Serve with Baked Beans and Cole Slaw for a New Years Day treat !!!! Or any day for that matter.

I don't recall how long this cooked, as I forgot to write it down. Have a couple of beers, watch some TV or go play with the dog.

You'll know when it is done. Enjoy.