Turkey Meatball and Kale Soup Finished with Herbs

Turkey Meatball and Kale Soup Finished with Herbs is filed under Soups and stews and built around turkey, cooked quinoa I used half black, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese divided. Plan on 6 people.

Count on 15 minutes of prep, 10 minutes of cooking, about 25 minutes from the first measurement to the plate.

Ingredients Method

What goes in the bowl

• 1 pound turkey
• ½ cup cooked quinoa I used half black, half red quinoa
• ½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese divided
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt divided
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper divided
• 6 garlic cloves minced & divided
• 1 large egg lightly beaten
• 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
• ½ cup chopped shallots
• ½ cups chopped celery
• 8 cups trimmed chopped lacinato kale aka Dinosaur Kale
• ¼ teaspoon crush red pepper
• 5 cups unsalted chicken stock Bonus points for homemade!

How the cooking goes

1. Blend turkey, quinoa, ¼ cup cheese, parsley, basil, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, 2 garlic cloves and egg in a mixing bowl. Mix gently just until the mix looks even. Working with damp hands shape turkey mixture into 24 meatballs. Mine only made 17, but obviously It was too generous in the portioning.
2. Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over a lively flame. Add 1 teaspoon oil to pan and swirl to coat. Brown half meatballs on all sides and repeat with additional teaspoon of oil and remaining meatballs.
3. Put remaining 2 teaspoons oil and sauté shallots and celery for 5 minutes. Add garlic and continue to sauté for 1 minute. Add kale, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper, and red pepper; cook 2 minutes. Add stock; bring to boil. Add meatballs and lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer 10 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and kale is tender.
4. Serve soup with remaining ¼ cup cheese, lemon if desired (you didn’t think it needed it), and crusty bread. Crusty bread soaked in the broth will float anyone’s boat. For serious.

After it comes off the heat

Cool the pot before it goes into the refrigerator. It reheats gently on the stove the next day.

If you want another plate from Soups and stews, open Italian Sausage Soup Simmered for the Bowl and Squash Soup Finished with Herbs.