Recipe By: Joe Scrizzi

Farmhouse Veggie Orzo

This soup is similar to my mom’s recipe for Hamburger Soup (shared in past months), however I’ve been expanding my garden the last few years and when the season turns cold, I construct a mini greenhouse on my back porch. This will allow me to grow a little longer to produce veggies for upcoming winter recipes. I harvest, chopped fine, and submerge in broth before freezing (each container labeled).

1# ground beef (this recipe I used bison)

1# ground sausage (any variety)

2-3qts beef stock (canned, fresh, containers)

½ C. white onion, chopped fine

3 ribs celery, chopped fine

½ C. carrots, chopped fine

1 green bell pepper, chopped fine

½ C corn, fresh or frozen

½ C. peas, frozen

½ C. fresh green beans, chopped medium

1 15oz can diced tomatoes (undrained), fresh if available

3 cloves garlic, chopped fine (or 3 tsp jarlic)

Handful of chopped spinach (or more to your liking)

1 C orzo (or other small pasta)

Fresh parsley, minced, garnish

Fresh grated parmesan cheese, garnish

Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Brown ground beef & sausage in stock pot until cooked through, breaking up as it cooks. Once meats are no longer pink, add 2 qts beef stock, rinse out containers with water and add to pot. Next add all the veggies, stir to incorporate. Bring to medium boil, add orzo, stir, lower heat to Low/Simmer. Let cook until pasta is done. Add more stock if needed and fresh parsley, stir. Taste, add seasonings if needed. Ladle into bowls, top with more parsley, grated cheese and enjoy!

Chef’s Notes:

Orzo can be subbed out with rice, barley or other grain, just check as it cooks and add more broth if needed. This started as a soup and quickly became a full bowl meal. I had a lot of veggies in the freezer to use up. I found bison on sale over the weekend and did a combo with sausage, I didn’t drain off any fat after cooking, due to the low-fat content in bison/buffalo meat. Same goes for the protein of choice, it can be anything you like or leave out all together and add more veggies.

Bon Appetite!