This soup is easy to make and very healing. You can make it vegan if you like by using Beyond Meat or Impossible Burger, the ground crumbles.

This resembles Italian Wedding Soup, except I used egg whites instead of whole eggs, I used spinach instead of escarole and ground turkey instead of ground beef and pork. I also left out the parmesan at the end, but feel free to add some! I just tweaked it a bit for my tastes. I've always loved soups and stews because they are so good for you and gives your body a bit of a break when it comes to digestion. My mother used to make amazing Southern style soups once a week as we were on a limited budget and I remember always feeling great after that type of meal.

Fun Fact: During the Great Depression many ate soups and stews because it went far for families, was a cheap way to eat and is loaded with nutrition. They were forced to eat less too, had to think about their budgets and fill themselves up at the same time. Many had to start growing their own vegetables, as they couldn’t afford to go the grocery store. Soups provided them with fullness and nutrition. Heart disease dropped as did high blood pressure. It was the healthiest America ever during this time. You would think that with all the stress they were under it would've been the opposite no matter how well they took care of themselves!

At the beginning of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of folks were making their own bread and making more soups and stews. I think so many of us were frightened and needed the nurturing smell of freshly baked breads and stews. I tried making gluten-free sourdough starter to make sourdough bread, but it was a disaster! I started a Facebook group I started in 2020 called the COVID-19 Recipe Rescue to give cooks, chefs, and food lovers a place to show off their creations to stifle off boredom and make new friends from all over the world. I started it on April 1, 2020 and as of May 16, 2020 we are almost 600 members! I've renamed it Rescue Recipe. Check it out!

Covid-19 Gluten Free Chicken Meatball Soup- with spinach and egg whites

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

This recipe takes about 30 minutes to make. There's very little chopping so it should be a breeze.

Makes about 2 quarts of soup and freezes well.

Turkey Meatball Ingredients-

1/2 pd. ground organic turkey

1/2 tsp. Italian Seasoning

1/2 tsp each pink salt and black pepper

1 tsp chopped fresh parsley

1 egg

2 Tbsp marinara sauce

3/4-1 cup gluten free panko bread crumbs

Combine all ingredients well and set aside. Roll into tablespoon sized meatballs and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 7-10 minutes. While that's cooking, make the broth.

Vegan Meatball Ingredients-

1 (12oz) package Impossible Burger 'meat'

1/4 cup gluten-free panko bread crumbs

1 Tbsp plant-based oat or coconut milk

1/2 tsp. Italian Seasoning

1 tsp chopped fresh parsley

2 Tbsp grated vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast

1/2 tsp each pink salt and black pepper

Combine the panko and plant-based milk of choice in a medium bowl and set aside for 5 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients together and add the panko mixture combining well. Roll into tablespoon sized meatballs and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet pan. Bake for 7-10 minutes. While that's cookig, make the broth.

Soup-

1 1/2- 2 quarts chicken broth, (make your own or I use chicken bone broth)

1/2 Spanish onion, julienned

1 (10 oz.) bag baby spinach

1/2 -1 tsp chili flakes, depending on how much heat you like

5 egg whites, don't scramble them

Pink salt and black pepper to taste

Directions-

In a 6-quart pot add the onions and broth. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes. Turn the heat back up and add the egg whites, stirring with a large fork to break up the eggs. Don't over stir, you want the whites kind of chunky. Add the meatball you've chosen to make and the spinach, turning the heat to low. Cook for about 5 more minutes. Add chili flakes to taste, if desired.

To Serve-

Place in your favorite bowl and add shaved vegan or regular Parmesan if you like and serve with you favorite red or white wine.