TORTELLINI SOUP

I love to make soup - all kinds of soup, veggie, chicken, chowders, onion, cream soups. All year round, not just in winter. Yesterday I was going to bake some special holiday bread for my post today but a friend had a very sad day and needed her dinner delivered so I made "hope you feel better soon" soup.  Another dear friend and I did a little Christmas cookbook years ago and this recipe was in that book.  I think she was the contributor of the recipe but I have made this same soup or a many a variation of this soup over the years. The soup is simple to make and a very hardy dish best served with a salad and some crusty bread.

 A few simple ingredients...

Brown sweet Italian sausage in a little EVOO then drain them on paper towels....

The finished product - the tortellini rises to the top - plenty of broth underneath.

Recipe

TORTELLINI SOUP

1 package mild Italian sausage, casing removed, made into small balls

2 C sliced zucchini

1 chopped yellow onion

1 large clove garlic, chopped

¼ t oregano leaves, crushed

2 14oz cans chicken broth

2 cans water

1 14oz can diced tomatoes (you can choose seasoned)

1 12oz package tortellini

Saute onion, vegetables, garlic, oregano and sausage until cooked.  Add broth, water and tomatoes.  Bring to boil, then simmer 45 minutes.  Add tortellini, simmer 15-20 minutes until tortellini is tender.

Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese.  Serves 6-8

This is the recipe as given to me and here are my notes:

When sauteing the veggies make sure to scrap all those little 

bits of goodness off the bottom of the pan.  I used two jars of 

my tomatoes that I put up last summer but you can use what

canned tomatoes of your choice.  You layer the flavors of this

soup as you would any other soup, once the veggies are done 

you start putting back into the pot the other ingredients, 

you may need more liquid or you may need more flavor from

the chicken broth - if it tastes flat add a little chicken soup

base or bouillon or square of chicken stock. Taste and add 

salt and pepper.  A word about tortellini.  I used fresh

and it only takes three minutes to cook if the soup is boiling.  

I think the best to use is the frozen kind as it is not as fragile

as the fresh.

Another thing about this soup is that you can keep everything

but the sweet Italian sausage  in your pantry ready to make

homemade soup in a snap.  You can find dry cheese tortellini

at most grocery stores and it has a pretty long shelf life, Del

Monte makes canned zucchini in tomato sauce - not as good

as fresh but still makes a good pot of soup. 

Once the soup was done into a little basket with some grated 

Italian cheese, butter, a French baguette, bagged complete

salad and a little bag of cookies.  Time to deliver.

For my friend........

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this — the last battle — can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close — we two — these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

— Unknown

Thank you for stopping by.