Paprika Chicken and Tortellini Soup

I've said this before,  but I truly am the queen of soup.  I'd eat soup for 3 meals a day,  granted if the soup choice was homemade and changed every meal.  Like good soup.  I don't like canned soup.  I'm a soup snob.  I just love the stuff.  One thing I specifically like is that it's a one pot wonder,  and it's always quick and easy.  Soup can simply be anything you have in the house,  or just a couple things from the store.  It's no fuss,  no muss.  

This version of tortellini soup is light in calories,  but very hardy. I have been tracking my macros (carbs, fat,  protein) for a couple weeks now in an order to lose this 25 pound love weight (GROSS).    So,  I did this soup with a ground chicken, but you could certainly use a ground beef or shredded chicken instead.  The ground chicken has less fat then the ground beef,  and my fat content is always a little too high from drinking milk and eating cheese.   I do recommend that you use a name brand ground chicken like Purdue.  For some reason the store brands smell funny when cooking.  Almost like a wet dog.  It's extremely unappetizing.    Maybe that's just me.

I also really enjoy cabbage in my soup because it adds more umph,  but if you are not a cabbage fan you could certainly omit it.    Add spinach or kale or whatever.  I am just partial to cabbage in my soups.

Lastly,  the not so secret punch here is smoked paprika.  Are you thinking I've gone off my rocker? Surely she is lying,  paprika does not have a place in soup.  No,  your wrong.  I ain't lying.  The smoked paprika is not spicy and does not add any heat,  but adds a nice color and earthiness to the soup.  I think the earthiness plays really well off of the vegetables,  ya dig?

I am also really partial to a fresh grated cheese on my soups.    You may be thinking that's way too expensive but let me break it down for you:  the flavor from fresh grated soup is out of this world.  Also,  a good block of fresh Romano cheese may cost between $10-$20,  but it will last for a long time.  I have been working off the same block of Romano cheese for over a month.  When I am done grating it over soup or pasta I simply put it back in a resealable zip lock bag and put it in the fridge.  When I am totally done with it,  I'll save the rind and throw it in the freezer.  Next time I make a soup I will take it out and throw it in the stock pot for the soup.   It adds a nice nutty cheese flavor to chicken stock.  Discard when done.  See there... $10-$20 for several months of use and every ounce of it can be used for something.

Paprika Chicken and Tortellini Soup

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook Time:  60 minutes

Serves: 5 (big servings--about 300 calories a serving)

Ingredients:

1 lb ground chicken

1 lb baby carrots

1 small head green cabbage

2 small white onions

2 small garlic cloves

Salt and pepper for seasoning

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried parsley

1 tsp sugar

2 tsp olive oil, divided

2 14.5 ounce cans of chicken broth

28 ounce can diced tomato

1 16 ounce fresh spinach tortellini 

Fresh grated Romano cheese for serving

Directions:

1. In a large stock pot (with a lid you will need for later) heat 1 tsp of olive oil over medium high heat.

2.  Add ground chicken and begin to brown.

3. While the chicken is browning dice all of your vegetables--- garlic, onions, cabbage,  and carrots--- but keep them all separate.

4. Once the chicken is almost browned add the onions and garlic.  Add last tsp of olive oil to cook vegetables.

5. Season liberally with salt and pepper and add all seasonings-- except for sugar.

Allow the garlic and onions to soften, about 2 minutes. Once translucent add carrots and cabbage. Stir around and season again with salt and pepper.

6. Add in chicken stock and tomatoes.

7. Add 1 tsp of sugar and stir all ingredients together well.

8. Cover and allow to come to a boil. Once boiling reduce heat to simmer.

9.  Allow to simmer together roughly 60 minutes.

10.  About 50 minutes into the hour add in tortellini making sure they are tucked down in the soup Cover with lid again and allow to cook for the last ten minutes.

11. Remove from heat and serve with a sprinkle of fresh grated cheese.  If it's for a group have your guests or kids grate the cheese over the soup themselves!