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Ultimate Italian Penicillin Pastina Soup (Healing Comfort Broth)

A close-up of a white bowl filled with rich, yellow penicillin soup featuring shredded chicken, carrots, celery, and small curly pasta.
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Make this Italian Penicillin Soup, a comforting pastina recipe perfect for cold days or when you need a nourishing meal. This version includes tender chicken and bright lemon for a soothing flavor.

Ingredients

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  • 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast (optional)
  • 1 cup small carrots, diced
  • 1/2 cup celery, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup pastina pasta
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 large egg (for optional stracciatella swirl)

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, combine the chicken broth, diced carrots, celery, minced garlic, parsley, and oregano. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the carrots and celery are tender.
  3. If using chicken, add the shredded chicken to the pot and heat through for 2 minutes.
  4. Add the pastina pasta to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions, usually 6 to 8 minutes, until the pasta is tender.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
  6. For an optional egg swirl (stracciatella): In a small bowl, lightly whisk the egg. Slowly drizzle the whisked egg into the hot soup while stirring constantly to create thin ribbons. Do not let the soup boil after adding the egg.
  7. Serve immediately in bowls.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth. You can add 1/2 cup of white beans for extra substance.
  • To build a deeper homestyle broth flavor, sauté the carrots and celery in 1 tablespoon of olive oil before adding the broth.
  • This soup tastes best when made with high-quality, flavorful broth.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://fooddexterity.com/penicillin-soup-italian-comfort-recipe/