Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Dr Tyler's Chicken Meatball and Tortellini Soup

Most of the country has probably phased out of "soup season," but here in San Diego we have a pesky little phenomenon called June Gloom. Though not too chilly, many of the June days in this otherwise eternally sunny city are spent overcast and gray. I am quite positive that those of you who've just emerged from months of tundra-like conditions do not have much sympathy!


Last week, we experienced a few of these gloomy days which coincided with hubby getting a bad cough. I happened to be flipping through Tyler Florence's Dinner at My Place and saw a recipe for Dr. Tyler's Chicken soup that Tyler claims can pull him from the depths of a miserable cold.

Tyler Florence is a magical kind of man, but now he can cure illnesses too? Amazing! His soup healing soup claim piggybacks on the belief of many, including scientists, that chicken soup can cure the common cold.


Whether it cured hubby or not, we decided that Dr. Tyler certainly did something right: this was one of our favorite soups we've made! We loved it so much that we made it for the second week in a row. Tonight's version shown above (used smaller tortellini and more carrots this time around).

A combination of apple chicken meatballs, tortellini, carrots, celery and a delicious herb broth make for a very tasty soup. For those of you not already in the thick of summer, I highly suggest trying this hearty and filling soup.

**If you haven't already, check out my giveaway post! You have until midnight on Thursday to win some tasty salsa!**

Dr. Tyler's Chicken Meatball and Tortellini Soup
Adapted lightly from Tyler's Dinner at My Place

Chicken Meatballs
4 links chicken apple sausage (uncooked) We ours from Henry's and they are BIG so if you have small ones, consider using a little more
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs (about 2 slices bread)
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus 2 extra tbsp for sprinkling

Soup
Extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, smashed
4 fresh thyme sprigs
2 large carrots, cut in circles
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, diced
1 small zucchini, chopped
Kosher salt
2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 pound refrigerated tortellini

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
4 black peppercorns

Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, for garnish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the meatballs:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare meatballs by combining chicken meat (discard casings), bread crumbs,milk, egg, parsley & 1/4 c. Parmesan in a large bowl. Mix well with hands. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Roll meatballs and place on cooking sheet or roasting pan. Drizzle lightly with oil and sprinkle with 2 tbsp Parmesan. Roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

While meatballs are cooking, prepare the soup by heating a large stockpot over medium heat. Add a few rounds of olive oil to the pan, garlic, and thyme. Saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add onion, carrot and celery. Continue to saute for about 4 minutes. Add zucchini and saute for another 2 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and peppercorns. Add bay leaf and parsley to the soup. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for about 25 minutes.

Once meatballs are cooked, drop them into the soup and add the tortellini. Allow soup to return to a boil and boil for several minutes or until tortellini are cooked. Season with salt and pepper to taste & sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

35 comments:

Michelle said...

This looks and sounds wonderful! I can eat soup any time of the year, and although the summer is warm, I'm always cold sitting in air conditioning so I would love a bowl of soup for lunch :)

Sasha said...

This soup looks mighty fine - Dr. Tyler is a genius...and mighty fine himself, too ; )

Apartments in Manila said...

Your soup looks really delicious

Apartments in Manila said...

Your soup looks really delicious

Esi said...

I have had this recipe saved for AGES! I have literally been saving it for a rainy day, but I guess now with the June Gloom it's as good a time as any :)

Bunny said...

This is the first time seeing this, it looks delicious Sharon, lovin those chicken meatballs!

Melissa said...

I love Tyler Florence. Thanks for recommending the book-I think I'll have to buy it.

My baby loves his line of baby food. The only vegetables he'll eat. I noticed the book has a baby in the kitchen chapter...now I really need to buy it!

kat said...

Sometimes there is nothing like a good bowl of chicken soup & I love the addition of meatballs & tortellini

Sharon said...

Melissa,
Tyler tells a lot of stories about his family and friends in the cookbook, which I love. Yes, there is a chapter with baby friendly recipes that actually look good :) and he has a recipe for "preganancy pasta" - adorable.

BrittWilk said...

this looks soooo yummy. i'm never out of soup season, sharon! :) now if i can just find chicken sausage on sale... and tortellini... boo...

Michele said...

You know Tyler Florence is so underated! I really like him and everything that I've seen of his and a few thigns that I tried have been great! I'm going to check out the cookbook you linked to. Your soup looks sooo good. I've made soup like this with beef and turkey but never thought of using chicken sausage! Very cool!

Sophie said...

My grandma makes something similar to this in the winter, she doesn't add the pasta though. Next time I can get some gf tortellini I'll be trying it like this :).

The Blonde Duck said...

This is one chicken soup I'd be happy to eat!

Susan from Food Blogga said...

I just made soup too! Yours is the perfect antidote for June gloom indeed.

grace said...

i think just hearing the words "apple chicken meatballs" would cure whatever ails me. physically, that is. my mental lethargy requires caffeine. :)

nora@ffr said...

this soup sound amazing.. i love chicken soups :)love the idea of adding meat balls..
cheers!!

Ana Powell said...

Hi Sharon
This sounds looks amazing and I love your photos x

Kerstin said...

Now that looks like perfect comfort food! It's been raining and cold in Boston too, ugh, so I would love a bowl right now! The meatballs look so yummy.

Melbourne jobs said...

I would likely taste this one if its hot.. weee..

Melbourne jobs said...

I would likely taste this one if its hot.. weee..

Maria said...

I love adding tortellini to my soups. So delicious!

daphne said...

it's winter here so this soup is PERFECT! I have not used tortellini in soup before...plus i love the idea of roasting the meatballs. Thank you sharon!

Dana Fallentine said...

MAY GRAY to JUNE GLOOM makes me soooooooo ready for JULY!

Jennifer said...

OMG I have made this soup before, doesnt it rock!!!

pigpigscorner said...

Sounds a bit like UK weather. I can have this anytime of the year!

La Bella Cooks said...

Yummy soup! I think I am the only one that like the gloomy weather happening in California these days!

tigerfish said...

Been a while since I visited your blog and glad to be back again!

Maris said...

I love comforting soups. Even in the summer - that's why we have AC!

Jeff said...

I do not know what it is about soup killing any common illness but it always works.

Sounds awesome!

Pam said...

It's cold and overcast today - this soup would hit the spot.

Stacey said...

That looks so delicious! Especially for a sick day where only yummy hot soup sounds (and tastes) good.

test it comm said...

This meatball and tortellini soup sounds really good.

daphne said...

it's winter here so this is perfect!

Larissa said...

LA has June Gloom too...so I've made things like curry and chili. Your soup looks so nice for a chilly morning!

Anonymous said...

Upon my search for a different soup for this chilly weather...I am so happy I found this! It's different and beautiful and I have a new pan that needs to be broken in. Thanks for the idea and beautiful pic!