Manic Mondays - Tortellini en brodo, An Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipe

I have decided to institute another set top day and today is the inauguration of my first "Manic Mondays" blog post. I have decided that every Monday will involve posts related to surviving the work week without growing crazy. Tips for working moms or anyone with a busy week and limited time to thrive or even survive. I hope to provide information on balance, self-care, homemaking tips, or really anything that will help you make it through a busy work week. Today, I decided to share one of my daughter's favorite recipes. Emma has library day one day a week and for a while, different cookbooks kept coming home. This recipe is a very easy chicken soup recipe that tastes home-made but is really easy to make. Kids seem to like it too. i can't remember the cookbook it came from, but I think it was one by Emeril Lagasse. I found a similar recipe on his website here so this might be the original source.

Tortellini en Brodo (tortellini soup)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped carrots
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
8 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
9 ounces fresh cheese-filled
2 tablespoons minced parsley
Salt, to taste if necessary
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Heat a large saucepan over high heat. Add the olive oil and, when hot, add the onion, celery, and carrots. Saute until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and saute for 2 more minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 20 minutes.Add the tortellini and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley, taste, and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat and ladle into soup bowls.Garnish each bowl with one tablespoon of the cheese. Serve immediately. This will serve 6 to 8 people.