Meatball Soup

This is totally not my recipe, but one I want to be able to access wherever I am, so onto the internet it goes. While it may look like a bunch of ingredients it really isn't. I was surprised at how quick it was to prepare, and while one part is cooking you are working on the other. It is also a great way to sneak in some veggies. Oh, and did I mention that we love soup around here?

Broth:

• 5 cans chicken broth (watch for msg if you are into that!)
• 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 carrots shredded
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 2 c spinach, thinly sliced
• 1/2 c orzo pasta
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Heat oil in large pot. Saute onion and garlic until tender. Add broth, tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Heat to boiling. Add meatballs.

Meatballs:

• 1/2 lb. ground turkey
• 1/2 lb. ground beef
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 c. bread crumbs (I used seasoned)
• 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp. basil
• 1/2 tsp parsley
• 1/2 c. grated onion
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients. Form into tiny meatballs and drop into broth to cook. When cooked, add carrots, spinach, and pasta. Cover and simmer 10-20 minutes.

**I had enough leftovers from the 1 lb of turkey I bought, so I made a mixture of extra meatball ingredients that I'm going to put in the freezer so that all I have to do is unthaw the next time I'm ready to make this as the rest of the ingredients are things I would have on hand anyway. A quick weeknight meal!**

Chicken and Rice Wraps

Here is a recipe that is great for making a big batch and putting in the freezer. I have these for lunch a lot, and they are a lot healthier than Hotpockets. (Do I have you singing the song yet?)

1 lb. chopped grilled chicken(or just boiled)
1 c. salsa
black beans (probably about 2 cups - whatever I have left over from the other night)
1-2 tbsp taco seasoning
2 cups cooked brown rice
12 whole wheat flour tortillas

Combine chicken, salsa, black beans and taco seasoning. Heat until warm. Stir in rice. Spoon over tortillas. Serve with extra salsa and sour cream.

The extras can be saran wrapped and then put in a freezer bag and into the freezer. Warm in the microwave for 1 minute and 45 seconds or until the middle is warm.