Mama Suz's Meatball Soup

A cold front is supposedly going to be tap-dancing through Virginia's capital city this evening and making an encore performance this weekend.  The perfect pairing for cold air, in my opinion, is hot soup.  (And red wine and a hot hubby, of course). 

This recipe is outstanding.  Mama Suz used to make this for us growing up, and it simmers waves of nostalgia through the air while cooking in my own house today.  

It’s a stress-free, ultra delicious soup.  The crockpot does the work for you, and it makes you all warm and fuzzy inside.  It's magical, actually.  Hubby and I eat this soup about once a week during the Fall and Winter.  It’s just that good. 

Mama Suz's Meatball Soup

Ingredients:
12 or so frozen Italian-style meatballs
1 28 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
About ¾ cup frozen corn
About 1 ½ cups frozen green beans
A few shakes of dried oregano or Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika
2 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced into small slices *these are optional*
splash of water or stock if needed
S & P to taste

The Process:

Add the green beans, corn, rinsed beans, whole tomatoes, and diced tomatoes into a crockpot.  Toss in the meatballs.  Add some water or stock (veggie, chicken, or beef stock would work just fine) if needed.  Add your spices:  garlic powder, paprika, oregano.  Throw in a couple of peeled garlic cloves.  Add some S & P.  Stir all ingredients to combine and cook on low for 5-6 hours (or on high for 3-4 hours).

The veggies have just enough of a bite left to them, the herbs and spices have perfumed the entire soup with earthy flavor, the tomatoes turn incredibly sweet, and the meatballs are pure perfection.  

Top the soup with some shredded sharp cheddar or mozzarella, and dive into a hearty bowl of this easy, satisfying, and nutritious soup. 

Make sure to break up the big tomatoes with your spoon and then take a bite filled with a little tomato, a few veggies, and a piece of a meatball.  Oh, and cornbread muffins were born to be enjoyed with this soup.

If you happen to see Mama Suz in the near future, raise your glass of red wine to her for creating this incredible cold air/warm tummy dish.  Bon Appetit!