Stoup

A few days ago I was in the mood for soup, and since we had just picked some broccoli rabe up from the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), I decided to try my hand at adapting Rachel Ray's Veal Meatball and Broccoli Rabe Stoup. Obviously at least some substitutions were in order.

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1) I didn't have that much broccoli rabe, but it was sufficient.
2) I love garlic, so at least one extra clove made it in.
3) We didn't have any veggie or beef stock in the house, so I used 2.25 Q chicken stock and 3 c. of water.
4) Tinykiada pasta shells replaced the orecchiette
5) Chicken and beef replaced the veal, since I refuse to buy that stuff if it's not grass-fed.
6) No egg (Abby's sensitive).
7) Ener-G breadcrumbs (has sunflower seed oil, but I'm ok with only that amount).
8) No cheese (I had some on top in my bowl, though).
9) No bread.

Wow... I didn't realize I changed that much! It most likely wasn't as good as the original, but it tasted quite dandy.


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1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds broccoli rabe, 1 large bunch, trimmed and cut into large bite-sized pieces
Salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, 1 minced, 3 chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can white beans, cannellini
Black pepper
1 quart chicken stock
2 cups beef or vegetable stock
1/3 pound orecchiette, little ear shaped pasta, or ditalini
1 pound ground veal
1 egg
1/2 cup bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano or Romano, a generous handful, plus some to pass at table
2 to 3 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
Crusty bread, for mopping

Bring a couple of inches of water to a boil in a medium skillet. Add salt to boiling water and the broccoli rabe and cook 7 to 8 minutes. Drain rabe and reserve.

While rabe cooks, heat a medium soup pot over medium to medium high heat with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. Add 3 cloves chopped garlic, carrots and onions. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, add white beans and heat through, a minute. Season veggies and beans with salt and pepper. Add drained rabe and the stocks and cover pot to bring to a quick boil. Add orecchiette and stir. Reduce heat and simmer soup to a low-roll, uncovered.

Mix veal with egg, remaining clove minced garlic, bread crumbs, cheese, sage and salt and pepper. Roll into 1-inch balls and drop into stoup. Cook 5 minutes. Adjust seasonings and serve stoup in shallow bowls with crusty bread.