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Italian Penicillin Soup is a classic dish known for the feelings of comfort, always associated with this soup when you are ill. This homemade soup recipe is easy, as it incorporates only few items such as chicken, vegetables, and pastina which helps one feel full and comfy.
This soup can be ideal whether you have a cold, or if you are just craving a bowl of warm food on a cold day. In this recipe guide, you will also discover how to easily prepare this delicious Italian Penicillin Soup.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 medium carrots, diced
- 4 stalks celery, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pastina (or any small pasta)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
MEASURES & PRECAUTIONS
- Use Low-Sodium Broth: Choose chicken broth that has a low sodium content to reduce the amount of salt you are using in the soup. It is always advisable to add more salt later since it is easier to reduce seasoning rather than increasing it.
- Chop Vegetables Evenly: Make sure that all vegetables are cut evenly to cook for the same amount of time. This assists them in softening at the same rate.
- Monitor Cooking Time: One thing to look for is the correct cooking time for the pasta as overcooking them makes them soft and an undesirable texture.
- Adjust Seasoning Gradually: Use a little amount of salt initially and add more only if required after tasting the food. Some of the broth brands contain a higher amount of sodium than the other brands of broth.
- Store Leftovers: When you have some left over, make sure to cover the pasta and keep it away from the broth to avoid over absorption.
Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe
INGREDIENTS NOTES
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Pastina Variations: If you do not get pastina then you can use other small pasta varieties such as acini di pepe or orzo.
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Vegetable Options: You can also put any other vegetable of your choice in the soup including spinach or peas in order to increase the nutritional value of the food besides improving on the taste.
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Protein Addition: In case you would like a thicker soup then you could try using shredded chicken or cooked beans for production.
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Herb Enhancements: When preparing food such as vegetables, meat, beans, rice or popcorn, one or two sprigs of thyme or rosemary can be included to enhance the aroma.
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Dairy-Free Option: Most of these modifications are versatile and do not require additional preparation Aside from garlic, skip the Parmesan cheese or use non-dairy cheese.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
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Prepare the Broth: In a large pot, place some oil and heat it at a medium setting. Put in diced onions, and cook until the onions become soft, light brown or translucent on medium heat about 3 minutes.
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Add Vegetables: After that, add minced garlic, diced carrots and diced celery into it. Stir for another 5 minutes until the vegetable are slightly cooked.
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Pour in Broth: To the pot add the low-sodium chicken broth and let it boil.
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Simmer: Once the liquid starts to boil reduce the heat the heat a bit and continue to let the stew simmer without the lid for about 15 minutes longer until all of the veggies are tender.
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Cook Pasta: After the vegetables are golden, add pastina to the pot and cook by indicated time on the pack (3-5 min.) till the pasta is al dente.
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Blend (Optional): For a creamier texture, you can blend a portion of the soup using an immersion blender or by transferring it to a regular blender before returning it to the pot.
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Season & Serve: Taste and adjust the flavor with salt if required. Pour into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese before you serve it.
RECIPE TIPS & VARIATIONS
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Make It Spicy: Use red pepper flakes when cooking to give food a better taste that comes with spiciness.
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Creamy Variation: Add a cup of heavy cream or coconut milk at the end if you’d like your soup to be richer.
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Freezer-Friendly: This soup freezes well if the pasta is not added until the soup is reheated; otherwise, the pasta will absorb the liquid and become soggy.
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Quick Version: If you want to get it even quicker, use chopped vegetables or frozen mixed vegetables.
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Garnish Ideas: To add texture, croutons should be used to garnish or even pieces of crispy bacon.
EQUIPMENT
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Large pot or Dutch oven
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Cutting board
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Chef's knife
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Immersion blender (optional)
Note
SERVING TIPS 💡
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Serve hot with crusty bread on the side for dipping.
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Offer grated Parmesan cheese at the table for guests to sprinkle on their servings.
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Pair with a light salad for a complete meal experience.
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Consider serving in individual bowls topped with fresh herbs for presentation.
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Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
If you're looking for another flavorful meal, check out this easy Delicious Blackstone Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
