- 15 mins
- 40 mins
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup loosely packed homemade breadcrumbs or Panko
- milk
- 1/2 cup fresh ricotta from cow or sheep
- less than 1/8 tsp of freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 tbsp chopped thyme
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 small grated or pasted garlic cloves
- 1 medium egg or large egg yolk
- handful of finely chopped parsley
- salt and black or white pepper
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 chopped carrots
- 2 quartered, washed, and chopped leeks
- 2 celery ribs with leafy tops, chopped
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 piece of rind Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (optional)
- 2 quarts homemade or boxed chicken stock
- 1 can of cannellini beans, lightly drained
- 3/4 cup ditalini pasta
- handful of basil
- 3/4 lb coarsely chopped medium leaf spinach or 1 bunch of escarole coarsely chopped
- juice from 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Preparation
Step 1
1. In a shallow bowl, place breadcrumbs and douse with milk. Then add ricotta.
2. Add nutmeg to breadcrumbs.
3. Add chicken to bowl along with egg and yolk, cheese, chives, and salt and pepper.
4. Combine mixture and place a small scoop in warm water to help you drop dumplings.
5. Heat a Dutch oven over a medium heater with EVOO. Turn pan until bottom is fully coated with the oil.
6. Add in vegetables and season everything with salt and pepper.
7. Let items soften for 7-8 minutes.
8. Add stock. Rind and bring to a low boil.
9. Drop in some small meatballs, about 1 to 1 1/4 inches.
10. Let the meat dumplings simmer in broth for 3 minutes.
11. Add beans and pasta. Let the mixture simmer for 7 minutes more.
12. Adjust the salt. Wilt in spinach or escarole.
13. Turn off heat. Add basil and lemon juice.
14. Serve soup in shallow bowls.