12 oz Boned & skin cooked chicken, coarsely sliced
1 lg Turnip, peeled & sliced
Salt to taste
1 tb Brandy
3 sm Cloves garlic
Small sprigs fresh basil and/or parsley
3 qt Chicken stock
1 Thick slice crusty French or Otalian bread
4 oz Best quality smoked ham, coarsely sliced
1 md Carrot, scrubbed & sliced
2 md Onions, sliced
Unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tb Olive oil
1 Egg
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 lg Butternut squash, peeled, seeded & sliced
Directions
Step #1 Bring the stock to a boil in a large soup pot.
Step #2 Turn the heat down to low & let simmer, uncovered, while you continue.
Step #3 Heat the oil & butter in a skillet over med-heat/flame.
Step #4 Add the onions & saute for 2 or 3 mins.
Step #5 Add the celery & carrot; saute for another 5 mins, brandy, then add the vegetables to the simmering chicken stock along with the tomato paste, turnip & butternut squash.
Step #6 Simmer carefully, covered, until the vegetables are tender, about 15 mins.
Step #7 Meanwhile, make the meatballs.
Step #8 In a food processor/blender whizz together the bread, garlic & egg for about 30 seconds until a smooth paste is formed.
Step #9 Add the chicken, ham, pepper & the basil and/or parsley.
Step #10 Pulse-chop 10 to 15 times, then process until a smooth, very thick paste is formed.
Step #11 Roll the meat paste into balls the size of a large marble.
Step #12 Roll the balls in the flour so that they are lightly dusted all over.
Step #13 When the vegetables are tender, raise the heat slightly so that the soup simmers with a little more intensity.
Step #14 Drop the meatballs into the soup & let cook for 5 to 7 mins.
Step #15 Taste for Spice uping and adjust if necessary.
Step #16 Be careful not to oversalt as the ham is salty.
Step #17 Serve as soon as possible.
Step #18 Serves 6 to 8 as an entre with bread & salad.
Step #19 NOTE: This is even better the next day, but first remove the meatballs & wrap them separately rather than storing them overnight with the broth.
Step #20 Dairy Hollow House Soup & Bread, A Country Inn Cookbook by Crescent Dragonwagon.
Step #21 Workman Publishing ISBN: 1-56305-243-1 Posted by Fred Peters.