Stoup- ( Italian Sub Soup from Rachel Ray) A combination of soup and stew a family favorite

Soups are some of my favorite things to make. I have a large arsenal of recipes that I like to use.  This one was on the old "Thirty Minute Meals" show of Rachel Ray's on the Food Network.  This particular recipe is one that everyone in the family likes which is rare. 

Italian Sub Soup (from Rachel Ray)

 1 lb. mild Italian sausage, fried

¼ lb. pepperoni stick, diced

1 ham steak, diced

1 medium onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, seeded, quartered and diced

1 15 oz can diced tomatoes

salt and freshly ground pepper

6 c. chicken stock

½ lb. gemelli pasta or other short-cut pasta

In a soup pot preheat to med. heat.   Brown the sausage and crumble, drain off excess grease.  Then add ham and pepperoni.  Cook meats together for two minutes then add peppers and onions and cook for 2-3 minutes more.  Add diced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.  Add chicken stock and bring stoup to a boil.  Stir in pasta and cook for 8 minutes.  Make croutons while pasta cooks.

Croutons

5 c. cubed crusty bread

3 lg. cloves garlic, removed from the skin

½ c. grated Parmigiana-reggiano cheese

1 t. crushed red pepper flakes

½ t. dried oregano

 In a large skillet heat ¼ c. of olive oil.  Add garlic and cook 1 minute.  Add bread to oil, and toss, toast for 5-6 minutes.   Season the toasty bread cubes with red pepper flakes, oregano and lots of grated cheese.



 

Ladle the soup and float several toasty garlic breads cubes in each bowl.