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Wilted Greens, Beans & Beef Meatball Soup Recipe

Name: Wilted Greens, Beans & Beef Meatball Soup Recipe
Total time: 30 MINUTES
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 tbsp Olive Oil; ½ cup Onion, Chopped; ¼ cup Celery, Chopped; ¼ cup Carrot, Chopped; 8 oz Button Mushrooms, Sliced; 6 cup Beef Broth; 15 oz Great Northern Beans, can, drained and rinsed; 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce; 2 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice; 1 tbsp Litehouse® Freeze Dried Garlic; 1 tbsp Litehouse® Freeze Dried Parsley; 1 tbsp Litehouse® Freeze Dried Chives; 1 ½ tsp Litehouse® Freeze Dried Thyme; 1 tsp Pepper, Fresh Ground Black; 1 ea Parmesan Rind, dry end from wedge optional; 8 cup Mixed Winter Greens (spinach, kale, collards, chard, etc.), Coarsely Chopped; 24 ea Pre-Cooked “Mini” or “Party Size” Lean Beef Meatballs; 1 ea Garnish: Shaved Parmesan Cheese, if desired

October 22, 2014 Jennifer Fisher

30 MINUTES

Serves: 4

Ready to eat Wilted Greens, Beans & Beef Meatball Soup

Goodbye for now tomatoes, corn and zucchini; hello kale, collards and mustard greens! Every vegetable has its moment in the sun and, ironically, dark leafy greens are at their peak when there’s a chill in the air. While a global farming economy makes it possible for traditional grocery stores to offer us asparagus for a Thanksgiving feast and watermelon in the dead of winter, I prefer to shop locally and eat produce in season. Hit the farmers’ markets and road side stands this time of year and you’ll start noticing an influx of good-looking greens on the scene — some winter greens are so beautiful that I’ve displayed them as a show stopping centerpiece in lieu of a fancy-schmancy floral arrangement.

While the vibrantly veined leaves and stalks of Swiss chard or the ruffled, frilly edges of kale may make you stop and marvel and Mother Nature’s gift of making every creation gorgeous in its own way, you should also be impressed with how healthful the dark leafy greens of winter can be! According to the USDA, dark leafy vegetables, such as kale, collard greens, mustard greens, Swiss chard and spinach, are plentiful in potassium, manganese and iron. They are also a good source for vitamins A, C, K and E as well as calcium, folic acid and fiber.

According to MyPlate.com, adults should be striving to eat at least 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups of vegetables a day, depending on age and gender — even more if moderately active. Winter greens are a budget-friendly way to help you meet these daily intake recommendations. A big bunch of greens can typically be purchased for just a dollar or two and will yield an impressive-sized salad or side dish that can feed your whole family. Another perk – the high fiber content in dark leafy quickly fills up hungry bellies and just may keep mouths from going back for seconds (or even firsts) of higher calorie, higher fat foods.

To encourage my kids to eat a wide range of greens, I hauled them up to the store and made them each pick out the variety that grabbed their attention (and offended least)! We wrapped up deli meats in the bigger leaves and used some of the chopped greens in stir fry – everything was conveniently seasoned to their tastes with one of more of Litehouse’s Freeze Dried Herbs. The remainder of greens (which was a lot) was mixed up and incorporated into this nourishing recipe for Wilted Greens, Beans and Meatball Soup. I’ve seen similar vegetarian takes on this dish floating around, but I appreciate the kid appeal that lean beef meatballs bring to the bowl – not to mention the extra nutrients. For example, beef adds extra protein for sustained energy and it’s also one of the best sources of iron around. Combine that with the abundant iron found in winter greens and your tank will be topped off!

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Wilted Greens, Beans & Beef Meatball Soup Recipe

October 22, 2014 Jennifer Fisher

30 MINUTES

Serves: 4

Fall and winter vegetables are having their moment in the sun – dark leafy greens are some of the best seasonal picks at the farmer’s market. Chop up your favorites like chard, kale, collards and spinach and enjoy a nourishing bowl full of this easy Wilted Greens, Beans & Meatball Stew.

Heaping bowl of Wilted Greens, Beans & Beef Meatball Soup

Ingredients

2 tbspOlive Oil
½ cupOnion, Chopped
¼ cupCelery, Chopped
¼ cupCarrot, Chopped
8 ozButton Mushrooms, Sliced
6 cupBeef Broth
15 ozGreat Northern Beans, can, drained and rinsed
1 tbspWorcestershire Sauce
2 tbspFresh Lemon Juice
1 tbspLitehouse® Freeze Dried Garlic
1 tbspLitehouse® Freeze Dried Parsley
1 tbsp Litehouse® Freeze Dried Chives
1 ½ tspLitehouse® Freeze Dried Thyme
1 tspPepper, Fresh Ground Black
1 eaParmesan Rind, dry end from wedge optional
8 cupMixed Winter Greens (spinach, kale, collards, chard, etc.), Coarsely Chopped
24 eaPre-Cooked “Mini” or “Party Size” Lean Beef Meatballs
1 eaGarnish: Shaved Parmesan Cheese, if desired

Directions

In 6-quart Dutch oven or stock pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, carrot and mushroom and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, or until softened and lightly caramelized.Add broth and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add beans, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, chives, thyme, pepper, and parmesan rind. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add one half of mixed winter greens to pot; stir for 2 to 3 minutes to allow leaves to “wilt” down thus providing room for remaining greens. Add remaining greens and continue to stir and cook down for approximately 2 minutes.Cover pot with lid and keep heat on low. Reheat meatballs according to manufacturer’s instructions in microwave or oven. When reheated, drain on paper towels, if needed, and add to stew. Use a spoon to remove any remnant of the parmesan rind.To serve, ladle among four bowls and top with shaved parmesan cheese if desired.Slice one lemon and place slices in the turkey cavity.Cook 6 hours on high until turkey breast reaches 170°F.