Soup in a hurry

So, it's been a day. You're hormonal, the kids are hungry and hubby, well he's tired of take-out. What do you do?

Tortellini Soup.

Yum. Tastes homemade and it is, sorta, but terribly easy. That is the key.

EASY.

You need:

A carton (1L or 16oz) of chicken broth. (veggie or beef will do too.)
A (350g or 12 oz) package of cheese or cheese and meat tortellini. I buy the refrigerator ones on sale and throw them in my freezer.
A clove or two of garlic ( I use the stuff in a jar, I'm not a purist, just lazy.)
A teaspoon or so of basil
A tomato cut into chunks
2 cups of fresh spinach cut up roughly
a stalk or two of celery, chopped

Bring the broth to boil, throw in the tortellini, garlic and basil. Cook according to package directions. In the last 5 minutes add the veggies. Voila. Soup.

If you don't have fresh spinach, use frozen, just thaw, drain and throw in right before serving. Don't have the other veggies? Skip em. Slice up an apple and serve it with the soup. I've also been known to stir in some vegetable cocktail drink instead of all the broth if I can't find a tomato. This makes me feel like we've had vegetables, just a bit liquid-y.

To round out the meal, take the old hot dog or hamburger buns you have taking up space in your freezer, ( the more dried out the better) thaw 'em, spread 'em with butter, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese ( I use Kraft from the can) and stick them under the broiler till golden.

Should your husband complain notice that there is no meat grab a couple of pieces of beef jerky out of the pantry and smile "that" smile. The "I love you and honour you but should you say anything except "This soup is sooo yummy" I will teach the cat to use your shoes as a litter box" smile.

This quick and easy meal is part of Rocks in my Dryer's WFMW and Boomama's Soup-tacular!