Creamy Tomato Basil Soup w/ Orzo and Meatballs

My 2nd night cooking in my NEW kitchen! How exciting! Last night I made chicken makhani and tonight dh requested soup since the weather was getting cooler. I used what I had on hand and came up with a tomato basil soup. I decided to add orzo and meatballs to it to make it a bit heartier, and it was quite a meal!

Meatballs

1 lb ground sirloin

2 slices wheat bread toasted and processed

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. basil

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1/4 C. grated parmesan cheese

1 egg

Preheat oven to 350

Mix all ingredients well and roll into mini meatballs. Cover cookie sheet with foil and place a cooking rack on top. Put meatballs on the cooling rack and put in oven. cook for 20-25 minutes.

When finished, take out of oven and set aside.

Tomato Basil soup

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 8oz. can tomato sauce

2 cloves garlic minced

2/3 cup fresh basil coarsly chopped

3 cups chicken stock

1 cup orzo (raw) cooked according to package directions

1 cup half and half

1 stick unsalted butter

Salt and Pepper to taste

Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Over med. high heat put tomato products, stock, and garlic in a large stock pot. Let come to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Add basil and with an immersion blender, blend until smooth and pureed (this can be done in a blender as well). Add butter and half and half and whisk until well blended.

Add meat balls and orzo and serve with parmesan cheese.