ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP WITH ACINI DE PEPE

Preparation

1. In a large heavy soup pot or dutch oven over medium heat, add Bertolli olive oil. Heat oil until hot but not smoking. Add the chopped carrot, onion, garlic, celery, and saute until veggies are soft and the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add chicken broth, stir, and increase heat to high. Meanwhile, make the meatballs. In a medium mixing bowl combine the ground beef, beaten egg, breadcrumbs,cheese and basil. Add salt and pepper. Mix ingredients with clean hands and form into small balls of a consistent size, about 1/2 to 1 inch wide. Once soup has come to a rapid boil, gently add meatballs into pot. Allow to boil for 5 minutes, do not stir. Turn heat down to low and simmer soup an additional 10 minutes. Next add the spinach and pasta and simmer an additional 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve soup with finely shredded parmesean cheese and crusty Italian bread.