Thursday, January 23, 2014

Tomato Bisque With Italian-Sausage Meatballs



This is the ultimate comfort soup for frigid, winter nights like this one.  We added a dollop of pastina to each bowl, which made the meal a bit more appealing to the kids.  On another day, I added whole-wheat rotini and a handful of fresh spinach to some leftovers instead of pastina.  This recipe is variation of this recipe from 100 Days of Real Food, and is a versatile and delicious alternative to chicken, beef and bean soups (that you might be sick of by now). 

Tomato Bisque With Italian-Sausage Meatballs

8 Tbs butter
1 onion, diced
1/2 small bag real bacon pieces (or 2 slices of bacon, crumbled)
2 large cloves garlic
10 Tbs whole wheat flour
4 cups chicken broth (add salt to taste if broth is unsalted)
1 46-oz can 100% tomato juice
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
3 to 6 sprigs of thyme (or 2 tsp. dried thyme)
1 bay leaf
1 cup heavy cream (or less if desired)
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Optional: add cooked pastina, whole-wheat rotini, fresh spinach, etc.

Instructions: Heat the butter in a large soup pot over medium heat.  Add onion and cook for 5-6 min., or until onion gets soft.  Add the bacon and garlic and stir for a minute or two until meat is crisp.  Add the flour and stir vigorously for approx. 2 min.  Pour in the broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil while whisking constantly.  Add herbs and simmer on low heat for 30 min.  Remove the herbs and puree the soup with a handheld immersion blender (much easier than a food processor!).  Stir in the cream.  Add optional ingredients like meatballs, pasta or spinach.  Serve warm.

*This recipe makes at least 12-16 servings, if not more.  I was able to freeze half of the soup, and the other half yielded two dinners and a lunch.

Italian-Sausage Meatballs

16 oz. bulk Italian sausage
1/4-1/2 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
1 large egg
olive oil for frying

Instructions:  Mix all ingredients in a bowl.  Roll into meatballs of desired size and fry in a light drizzling of olive oil.  Cook until meatballs are browned throughout.  Add to soup bowls.

3 comments:

  1. I love meatballs and I love tomato bisque. Putting them together? Awesome idea!! Stopping by from the Sweet and Savory Link Party!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer! I know, I have a thing about meatballs in soup - I also have a recipe for acorn squash soup with meatballs in it if you're interested :) http://scribalmom.blogspot.com/2013/10/roasted-acorn-squash-soup-w-italian.html

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  2. Thanks for linking up at Sweet and Savoury Sunday, I'm the new co-host and would love for you to link up this weekend. This soup looks great, perfect for a cold night.

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