Thursday, January 6, 2011

Tortellini en Brodo



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This soup, which I serve as a light entrée, is what happens when an Irish gal is allowed to play with Italian food. These days, most versions of this soup are made with a mildly flavored chicken stock and very little else. My version is an attempt to capture the taste memory of a dish much loved by my family, and it is a bit more ambitious than that. Years ago, there was a restaurant in Bayonne, New Jersey, called La Strada. Bob would occasionally lunch there and when he did, he dared not come home without a quart of their tortellini en brodo for the rest of us to enjoy. The broth is what set their version of this soup apart from that served in other restaurants. It was deep and rich in color and redolent of pancetta. Thinking things would ever be the same, I never thought to ask for the recipe and when we swapped coasts I was left with only a memory of an outstanding dish. Those who are familiar with this Italian treasure know that one of the things that commend it, is the ease with which it can be prepared. If you have a source for fresh tortellini and access to good stock, this truly is a 30 minute meal. I use commercially available chicken and beef broth to make the brodo in which my tortellini bathe. It took a while, but I learned I could nearly duplicate the La Strada broth if I allowed canned broth to simmer with shallots, garlic, pancetta and white wine for about 20 minutes before ladling it over tortellini. Bob requested this for dinner tonight, along with his favorite pie. He had cataract surgery today and because of the anesthesia, he wanted something light for supper. The procedure went well and he'll be better than brand new in a day or two, but until then we'll spoil him - a little. I'll feature the pie, which is truly outstanding, tomorrow. Tonight, I'm happy to share my recipe for tortellini en brodo with you. Here's how it's made.

Tortellini en Brodo...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup diced pancetta
1/4 cup finely minced shallots or red onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup dry white wine or dry vermouth
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (10.5-oz.) can condensed beef broth, undiluted
1 cup water
1 (13-oz.) bag Barilla tortellini (fresh if possible)
Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1) Film bottom of a large saucepan with oil. When hot, add pancetta and saute until lightly brown. Add shallots and garlic and saute until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Pour in wine and, scrapping bottom of pan, cook over high heat until nearly evaporated. Add chicken, beef broth and water and simmer for 20 minutes.
2) Meanwhile bring 5 quarts of water to a boil. Add salt and tortellini. Cook according to package directions. Drain. Place 14 to 18 tortellini in bottom of each of 4 shallow soup bowls. Ladle hot both over all. Serve with Parmesan cheese. Yield: 4 servings.

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Tuscan Bean Soup - One Perfect Bite
Zuppa Pavese - Aglio Olio and Peperoncino
Hearty and Healthy Minestrone - The Average Foodie
Minestrone d'Inverno - Luna's Recipes
La Ribollita - Memorie di Angelina
Roasted Vegetable Minestrone - A Bitchin' Kitchen
Pasta Fagioli with Fresh Cranberry Beans - What's for Dinner Across State Lines

53 comments :

Sanjeeta kk said...

The Tortellinis looks so cute and delicious. Like the sauce in the recipe. Would be perfect for a cold night dinner.

Ginny Hartzler said...

This looks divine. I love soups, and especially ones with clear broths.

My Little Space said...

Tortellini is something that I wanted to make long ago. You made this sounds so inviting. I like the clear soup broth. A superb light meal! Hope you're having a great day.
Cheers, Kristy

Olive said...

Looks delicious, very light and yet very filling!

Happy New Year, Mary! :)

Diane said...

I hope that Bob's eye soon gets well. Hopefully vision will soon be back better than ever.
Love this recipe, this is for me. Thanks. Diane

MaryMoh said...

Hope Bob's eye recovers fully soon. A lovely time to pamper him :D I love this tortellini soup. Love the clear soup. Looks a little like the Chinese dumpling soup. Would love to see your pie. Hope you have a great day!

Unknown said...

Tortellini or ravioli in brodo is one of the most comforting foods ever, I think! My young son love this meal though I have never thought to enrich the brodo as you have done. Thank you for the tip.

Alessandra said...

Ah! Tortellini! From my hometown!

FYI, in Italian is 'in brodo', spelled with a i.

ciao

AA
A.

Faith said...

you had me a tortellini!!!! :) Sending tons of good energy to Bob!!! Its ok to spoil the wonderful men in our life every once in awhile!

Angie's Recipes said...

Wish I could have some tortellinis soup for the lunch! Looks delish!

Angie's Recipes said...

I wish Bob a speedy recovery!
Angie

Priya Suresh said...

Thats a delicious dish,prefect for chilled weather's nite dinner..

Donna-FFW said...

I bet this delicious soup will have him on a road to fast recovery!

weaverpat said...

What a nice soothing soup for when you're not feeling well- and even when you are!
I hope Bob's eyesight is better than normal in no time.

Unknown said...

I haven't had good tortellini en brodo in a long long time! I remember it being wonderful. Perfect for summer or winter. I will definitely be trying your version. Thanks for sharing, Mary!

Big Dude said...

The broth sounds very good. Glad his surgery was a success. Bev had both eyes done a few years ago and went from nearly blind to nearly perfect vision

Gloria Baker said...

What nice tortellinis Mary, I love them! gloria

Sasha said...

This recipe is amazing. Very little work is required and the end product is hearty and delicious.

FOODESSA said...

I make this delicacy all the time...one of Hubby's favourite comforts. I think I'll give your version a try next time...especially since I've never incorporated the booze...imagine that?

Mary, have yourself a lovely day,
Claudia

kitchen flavours said...

I hope Bob feels better soon. I don't like the feeling "after anesthesia"!
The soup looks so comforting and good, with all the flavours from the ingredients! Have a nice day!

From the Kitchen said...

I just clipped an article from the Trib about doctoring up commercial broths. I think you've taken it a step further. This could become an extraordinary dish for one recovering from cataract surgery (and everyone else)--which I hope Bob is doing nicely.

Best,
Bonnie

Tasha said...

Glad to hear your husband's procedure went well. I'd agree a little spoiling is in order, and this soup sounds like a wonderful start.

Sushma Mallya said...

Looks very nice mary..

Chiara said...

In Italy there are many varieties of stuffing, spinach and ricotta cheese, meat, fish, ham .... Some are served "in brodo",other with a simple sauce of butter and sage,or tomato... are always welcome to all! Blessings...

Pondside said...

This sounds perfect after the over-indulgence of the season.

StephenC said...

I'll be keeping my eyes open for a source for tortellini.

Unknown said...

I love totellini! It's one of my favorite pastas! The best commercial dried brand I find is Barilla. My kids love them too! This looks delicious and comforting Mary. Thanks!

Flavia Galasso said...

Mary.....you know where I was born...in the Tortellini Town : Bologna...my granny taught me to prepare them....next time you have to make your handmade tortellini...you know I posted Bologna's tortellini in my blog....you have to try it!!!

A big strong hug.....and blessings, ciao Flavia

PeggyR said...

This sounds really yummy!

Deana Sidney said...

I haven't had this in years... and it is so good! The beef broth addition is wonderful... time to try this again, Mary!

ann said...

Your description makes it sound wonderful. I could go for some right now. :)

The Blonde Duck said...

What type of pie? I'm curious. I'm glad the surgery went well! I'll have to make this for Ben--he loves soup for dinner.

Joanne said...

My mom used to make something like this for us all the time when I was a kid except she basically just mixed tortellini with campbell's chicken broth. I much prefer your doctored up version!

Banana Wonder said...

I love the idea of tortellini is broth! Such a nice change from heavy sauces.

Faith said...

What a satisfying bowl of goodness this is! The broth sounds so light and flavorful, it's the perfect accent for the tortellini!

Penny said...

Hope Bob is doing well. I am making a variation of your minced chicken with oyster sauce in lettuce cups tonight. The tortellini look delicious also.

Kim said...

What a great soup, Mary. The broth looks delicious with the pancetta and the wine... Sounds good to me. Next time I buy tortellini, I'm gonna try this recipe! Have a good day!

Coupon Queen said...

Mary this soup sounds so wonderful! I love to make soup so I think I may give this one a try. Also love the butter ideas, I make butters with my garden herbs and lavender and freeze them to have a touch of summer in January, but I have never done one with cheese or wine. I am now craving a big piece of tenderloin with your blue cheese butter! Thanks for stopping by my blog, I am now a loyal follower of yours! :)

Anonymous said...

Love a clean and flavoursome dish. Love it!

Karen said...

I love a nice light soup like this. Looks wonderful

A Bitchin' Kitchen said...

Thanks so much for the link! I'm adding you to my google reader :)

- Maggie

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Buoni !!!!
Buona serata e buon anno :)
Myriam

Rhonda said...

Soup is the epitome of healing foods in my book. Tortellini is divine and such a fun pasta, stuffed and cute. My own Baby boy is having surgery next week, I must plan lots of good soup for him.

Vagabonde said...

Now is the time to make soups and this one looks like a winner. So let's go to mangiare!

cocoa and coconut said...

I love tortellini! This looks perfectly made. I hope you and Bob enjoy your meal together, and I'm glad the surgery went well :)

Claudia said...

this is the first dish my kids learned to make - I mean how easy is it - especially if Mom makes the broth> That said, I do cheat and use canned in a pinch and enrich the broth with roasted vegetables. I love this dish!

Mara Campbell said...

Hi Mary! Thanks so much for your kind words on my blog. I am so very much looking forward to following your blog and seeing all your delicious recipes. The soup looks fabulous!

Monet said...

I'm glad to hear that Bob's surgery went well. How great that you were able to replicate one of your favorite meals. It may have taken time...but you created what looks like a winner. Thank you for sharing this tasty recipe with me. Sweet dreams, my friend!

Chef E said...

Mary, this is my favorite soup to make during the week for my lite eating! Throw some spinach in the mix and you got it!

Tasty Trix said...

I am sure that Bob will be better in no time with treats like this. Perfect for a cold day.

lacey said...

Your photo is awesome. We'd love to see your stuff posted to dishfolio.com!

Jamie said...

This is truly our favorite meal, and has been since we began eating in while living in Italy! Absolutely the best!

That Girl said...

This looks like such a great quick meal.

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