Tomato Soup with Meatballs, Carrots & Parmesan Cheese

What is the better way to persuade picky children or uneasy adults to eat a healthy portion of vegetables than to make a superb soup? Tomato soup is an old favorite, but it can be made special by an addition of fresh parsley and parmesan cheese. Sweet tender carrots find their moment of glory in this scrumptious dish. Deliciously smooth texture of the soup and rustic meatballs makes it very desirable.

My kids are growing older, smarter and wiser every year. I pack their lunches every morning and add small surprises like fun shaped fruits or little boxes with creative food. My seven years old son is always asking me what I put in his lunch box.  His older sister tells him: "No, don't ask, it’s like Christmas present. You will find out what is in lunchbox at school!" :) How sweet it is!

Children have a very strong opinion about food they eat. When we go out to eat our daughter and son know exactly what to order. And most of the time it is from regular menu, not a kids one. Every Friday we have a nice dinner at our house, because it's the end of the week, and we have many fun things ahead of us. They love our Fridays, because I cook many different scrumptious dishes and there are many to choose from. Usually I cook something especially to their liking and of course I prepare desserts. I think it is an excellent tradition to have - family dinner and long conversation about school, life in general and plans for the future. I believe my kids will cherish those moments and hopefully continue this tradition with their own kids. My husband and I enjoy every moment of it.

Choosy eaters have finally been challenged! With the help of The Wisest Kid in the Whole World™, Campbell’s soup offers delicious recipes not a single kid would be able to refuse. You can find many fun quick meal ideas at WisestKid.com.

I have decided to create my own recipe using canned tomato soup. All you need is Campbell’s tomato soup, homemade meatballs and a bit of imagination to make colorful and fun dish. And when you do, you would feel like a "whiz" in the kitchen! Tomato soup is a bowl of fun for wise kids who like to dunk and get creative with toppings.

Please, visit the Wisest Kid widget and ask a question like “What will you ask the Wisest Kid in the Whole World?” or “How is a kid in your life like the Wisest Kid in the Whole World?”



Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 small onion, finally chopped
• 1 small carrot, peeled and shredded
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup dried bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
• salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into shape of you choice ( I made a small carrot flowers, for fun)
• 6 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 can of Campbell’s tomato soup
• chopped parsley to serve
• Parmesan Cheese to serve

Directions:

To make the meatballs: add the onion, carrot, egg, bread crumbs, parsley, salt and pepper to a large bowl and blend. Mix in the ground beef. Shape the mixture into 1 inch-diameter meatballs. Place them on a large plate or baking sheet.

In large saucepan add water, salt and bay leaf, and bring to a boil. Carefully stir in meatballs, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer, (skimming occasionally), until meatballs are cooked, about 20 minutes.

In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, place the carrots and enough water just to cover them. Add salt, pepper and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, uncovered, for 10 minutes, or until the carrots are cooked through.

When meatballs are cooked, add tomato soup and mix well. Bring to the boil and turn off the heat.

Ladle this soup into warm bowls, place 2-3 meatballs in the middle of the plate and full tablespoon of carrot flowers on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and garnish with parsley. Serve hot with favorite bread.

Have a delicious lunch!