Easy FrenchGardenHouse Meatball Soup

 

I don’t know about you, but the days following Christmas, I am ready for a light, super easy meal.  Even when I’ve really taken good care of myself {meaning I did NOT eat the whole box of Godiva chocolate pretzels, but had just two or three} {okay, had just  two cookies, instead of a whole bowl, and really, really tried to limit the amount of sweets on Christmas day} anyway, even when I’ve been “good” I still feel the need for a light, nutritious meal.

 

 

This soup is just perfect for a “make my body feel good again” time like this week. Full of vegetables, light, and very easy to make.  A perfect easy meal to serve when entertaining friends, too, everyone will appreciate the lighter meal.

 

 

 

FrenchGardenHouse Meatball Soup

First Step:

2 lbs. lean ground beef {I use turkey}
1/2t. garlic powder
1/2t. ground cumin
pinch oregano
pinch cilantro

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, and shape into small meatballs of 1 oz.
Set aside.

In a large Soup Pot saute:

3 oz. butter
1 cup diced tomatoes {sometimes I just use the largest can of whole tomatoes, incl. the juice}
1/2 cup diced green chilies
4 cloves of garlic, pressed or chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
1 lb. chopped green cabbage {I buy mine in a bag already done to save time if I’m in a hurry}
1 finely diced zucchini

1/2 bunch cilantro. {optional}

Add 3 quarts of beef broth. Just before broth comes to a boil, add the meatballs, one at a time. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 30 minutes. Top with chopped cilantro just before serving. Serves 12-15.

 

Note: this tastes even better the next day, so I like to make it ahead, then keep in the fridge in the bowl of my slowcooker. Then I can just put it back in the slowcooker and set it on low in the morning and it’s ready for lunch or dinner.

 

 

If you want to romance your Home and Garden with antique and vintage treasures to make you smile each time you come home, visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.