I had something happen a few weeks ago that changes the way I will forever look at tortellini soup. My mother frequently made tortellini soup when I was growing up. My whole family enjoyed it. I especially love it with lots of shredded parmesan cheese on top. The cheese melts into a lovely gooeyness almost instantly from the heat of the soup. I now frequently make it for my family because it’s a quick and easy meal and my whole family enjoys it.
Two weeks ago I shared with you my story of serving lunch at Children’s Mercy Hospital here. The part I didn’t share is that several of us made soup and I made tortellini soup. The two main ingredients are chicken broth and cheese tortellini. That’s really all there is to it. It’s easy to throw together and it only takes a few minutes for the tortellini to boil. Chicken broth is soothing and most people like pasta so I thought it was a great choice. I contemplated adding tomatoes to jazz it up, but my friend and I decided it was best to keep it simple, not everyone likes tomatoes. My soup had a late start to the table due to being on the wrong burner. Once it made it to the line up it was the last one left. It was the least popular soup and a few people were unfamiliar with tortellini soup. I assumed most people had eaten it before, but that didn’t seem to be the case. I didn’t let that deter me though from feeling good about serving. I just made a mental note to self that next time I should probably make something more mainstream.
I was in a funk most of the previous week and feeling like most of what I do doesn’t really matter. Then I received an email from my friend Suzy that a staff person at the Ronald McDonald House sent to her. The email read:
I have to pass along a wonderful conversation I had with a mom after your group left. She came to me almost in tears wanting me to thank your group for the homemade soup. She explained that her son hadn’t eaten in days and they weren’t able to go home until he could eat and keep food down. She said she had ordered almost everything off the menu from the hospital and he wouldn’t eat. Then she brought him some of the tortellini soup and he ate it and LOVED it and were able to then go home. She was over the moon with excitement and so thankful.
I’m sharing this story because I want you to know that the little things you do matter. We don’t often see or hear how they do, but in this instance it was brought to my attention when I really needed to hear it. A friend of mine made the comment that I was the boy’s angel, but he was actually mine. The next time I’m feeling discouraged and I’m sure they’ll be a next time since I’m human and have hormones; I’ll remind myself of tortellni soup. It’s the easiest soup you’ll ever make. It probably won’t win any awards or get pinned on Pinterest a thousand times, but it can be life changing. I’ve come across recipes that add a can of diced tomatoes or spinach if you want to doctor it up a bit. It tastes great as it is, but I still love to pile on the parmesan cheese!
| Tortellini Soup | | Print |
- Carton of chicken broth (32 oz.) plus one can
- 1 (9) oz. pkg fresh cheese tortellini or ½ package of frozen
- Optional ingredients you can add: can of Italian style diced tomatoes, fresh spinach
- You can adjust ingredients according to how many people you are serving. This serves around 4 people.
- Boil chicken broth. (add tomatoes if you desire)
- Reduce heat to medium-high and add tortellini.
- Cook until heated roughly 5-7 min. The tortellini will start to float to the top.
- Spoon into bowls and add shredded parmesan cheese and spinach if you desire.
Linking to: Live Laugh Linky
Crying. Isn’t it amazing how things like this happen? Food for the belly and the soul. It sounds delicious, and I am definitely making it now. You made a difference. Love this.-Ashley
Thanks so much Ashley! It’s the easiest soup ever! Nothing fancy, but it now holds a special memory for me. I may not have any medical training, but I can make soup 🙂
I make a similar soup that also has onions, carrots and celery chopped small. It is very soothing… I’ve been there with the sick child and can totally relate to the miracle that your soup gave her son/family. Thanks for sharing this post!
Thanks Seana. I can’t imagine what you went through. Whenever my kids get a fever, I’m stressed. We have been very blessed thus far.
I tear up everytime I think of this story and the impact we make on the families at the Ronald McDonald House. I’m one that never tried tortellini soup until I tried yours and loved it! I’m pinning your receipe and putting the ingredients on my grocery list now.
You and me both Keri! I hope your family likes the soup. It’s the easiest soup ever!
What a sweet story, Dawn! It is in blessing others that we are blessed. A little side note for you – chopped kale would be a good addition to this soup (great way to get your kale in!). I like it in things like this because it doesn’t get as wilty as spinach. 🙂
Thanks for commenting Kim. You are so right! Good idea on the kale. I’ll have to try that. I still haven’t acquired a taste for kale although I’m trying. However, I do love the Hale to the Kale Salad at Unforked 🙂
I love this story! Food and a giving heart can heal and bring people together.
Thanks Amy! Well said! I need to put more heart into my cooking 🙂
Warms my heart! A special memory you will keep forever……
Thanks for commenting Kristin. It’s the “tortellini moment”.
What a wonderful, wonderful story!!!! You are so right! It’s the little things that sometimes make the biggest difference!
Happy day to you friend!
karianne
Thanks Karianne! This story will definitely help me remember that 🙂 Thanks for sharing all of your inspiring stories as well.
Loved this story.
Thanks Mary! I felt it was definitely one worth sharing 🙂
Wonderful story, Dawn! I’ll add your soup to my menu at home and think of you and the little boy too. I’m happy the two of you found each other that night! You are an angel.
This is such a good idea! I love me some tortellini and love me some chicken broth so I can’t imagine why I never thought about putting them together! Now I just need to find dairy-free tortellini since I just recently gave up dairy.
I make the same soup, only I add spinach. It might be a simple soup, but it is so good! I love that you got that email…the story was heartwarming and made me smile!
Dawn, I loved you story. I will definitively try this soup, I have never had it, nor had occurred to me! I want to point out that I love how your writing brings emotions while reading. And what I like the most is that you achieve that without using religious phrases! Don’t get me wrong, I am a believer but these days people overuse religion in conversations (not so much in their actions).
Keep sharing your tortellini soup with others!
Thanks so much for leaving a comment Miriam. Your kind words mean a lot to me. I agree with you in that actions speak much louder than words. This experience was a huge eye opener for me and hopefully it will be for others. Have a great weekend!
Dawn,
What a great post! It’s so true – everything we do (even the little things) make a difference. What a heart-warming story. Love it so much! Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Aida
Thanks for taking the time to read it Aida and I’m glad it spoke to you as well.