Simple Couscous Soup with Wagyu Meatballs

Simple Couscous Soup with Wagyu Meatballs

Ingredients

Wagyu Meatballs
1 lb ground wagyu beef
a few pinches garlic powder, salt, black pepper
Couscous
2 cups pearl couscous
Soup
4 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
salt and black pepper, to taste
2 pinches ground allspice
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
3 cups packed baby spinach
10 cups low salt vegetable broth
¼ cup chopped italian parsley

Directions

Meatballs

Pre heat the oven to 400ËšF with the rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with tin foil. In a large bowl, combine the ground Wagyu and seasonings. Roll into 1 inch meatballs and place in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes. Set aside when done.

Couscous

NOTE: This step can be taken out, toasting couscous first gives it a bit more flavor.
Add the last tablespoon of olive oil to a frying pan on medium heat. Add the dry couscous. Stir and cook for 5 minutes until slightly toasted. Set aside.

Soup

Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onions. Cook for a few minutes until translucent. With a spatula spoon mix in the garlic. Cook a few more minutes until fragrant. Add the carrots and celery, cook for 5 minutes until slightly softened. Mix in the salt, pepper and allspice. Add the broth to the mixture, raise heat to high and bring to a rolling boil.

Add the toasted couscous and baby spinach. Reduce heat to a lively simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 20 minutes adding the meatballs during the last 5 minutes. Top with the Italian parsley. Serve immediately with shaved parmesan cheese on the side.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Orecchiette with Sausage & Spinach

Recipe: Orecchiette with Sausage & Spinach

Ingredients

1 lb Orecchiette, cooked to package directions
1 lb ground sausage (breakfast, sweet Italian or Andouille)
1 tbsp olive oil
½ chopped red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups baby spinach
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
splash dry white wine
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 oz high quality crumbled feta (I prefer sheep feta for it’s deep, tangy flavor)

Directions

Cook the pasta to package directions in plenty of salted water. Drain and return the pasta back to the cooking pot, set on the counter.

While the pasta is cooking make the sauce. Heat a 10 inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground sausage and break apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains, about 7-10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage to a bowl.

Reduce the heat to medium and add the olive oil and onions to the skillet. No need to rinse the skillet, leave a small amount of sausage grease in the pan to enhance the flavor of the onions. Cook the onions for about 5 minutes, until fragrant and translucent. Add the garlic at the last 30 seconds of cooking the onion. Add the spinach, wine and lemon juice to the skillet. Cook a few minutes until the spinach is wilted. Transfer the sausage back into the skillet. Cook until all is hot, season to taste with salt and pepper.

Transfer the sausage mixture into the pasta and toss to combine. Transfer to a large serving dish and top with crumbled feta cheese.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Orecchiette with Sausage, Mushrooms & Spinach

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Vegan Avocado Spinach Soup

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Veggie Lasagna

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Spinach Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Shallot Vinaigrette

We love this healthy and delicious Spinach Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Shallot Vinaigrette recipe, a gluten free, vegetarian dish great for the holidays!

Ingredients

2 cups Maple Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes (see notes)
for the salad
8 cups baby spinach
1 firm pear, thinly sliced
1 cup toasted walnuts
3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
salt and pepper to taste
freshly chopped parsley
sea salt and pepper to taste
for the dressing
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
pinch of fine sea salt
drizzle of honey
freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup olive oil

Directions

Roast the sweet potatoes (see notes)

Assemble the spinach, pear and roasted sweet potatoes in a large bowl or serving platter.

Place all the dressing ingredients in a mason jar or bowl. Shake or whisk the ingredients to combine. Adjust ingredients to taste.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad, top with the walnuts and goat cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Sprinkle with some fresh parsley and serve.

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Spinach Ricotta Gnocchi

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: One-Pot Tomato & Spinach Pasta

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: Farro Salad with Baby Spinach, Peas & Toasted Pecans

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith

Recipe: One-Pot Meatball & Veggies Tortellini Soup

Ingredients

Directions

~ Marla Meridith