SICK IN BED AND SPRING VEGETABLE & MEATBALL SOUP

There's no set lessons getting done today but Bella is still being educated; I am sick in bed and - luckily for me - Sandro has some days off work and has taken Bella grocery shopping and they have made this soup which is absolutely delicious. It's funny because the picture doesn't look like much but I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted it. It's also nutritious and cheap to make; I think it cost less than $20.00 to make and it served 6 x people for dinner (with crusty bread rolls) and 4 x people for lunch, and kids can help with this - what kid doesn't like making meatballs? Today Bella is learning about the value of money as she sees what we can buy for our dollar and about weights and measurements for cooking and also how to cook simple meals. Here's the recipe:

Serves 4 (we doubled the recipe)

Preparation; 15 minutes

Cooking; 20 minutes

500g lean pork mince

1 tablespoon chopped chives, plus extra to serve (we used dry)

1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil

1 leek, pale section only. thinly sliced (we didn't have leek so we used spring onion and extra zucchini)

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 litre (4 cups) chicken consomme (you can use stock but it won't be as flavoursome)

Half cup macaroni (we used spiral pasta)

1 large carrot, cut into matchsticks

1 medium zucchini, finely chopped

200g broccoli. cut into small florets

crusty buttered bread to serve

1) Combine mince and chives in a medium bowl. Shape tablespoons of mixture into balls. Heat oil in large saucepan over moderate heat. Add leek and garlic; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until soft. Add consomme, 2 cups of water, meatballs and pasta; simmer, covered for 5 minutes.

2) Add carrot, zucchini and broccoli to pan. Cook, uncovered for 6-7 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

3) Ladle hot soup into serving bowls. Sprinkle with extra chives and serve with bread.