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–+ servings

Italian Penicillin Soup

Italian Penicillin, also called Sick Day Soup or Chicken Pastina Soup, is a rich, aromatic twist on classic chicken noodle soup. Blended vegetables, fresh herbs, and a Parmesan rind create a hearty, flavorful broth perfect for battling a cold.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 332

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 8 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium 8 ounce sweet onion, coarsely chopped (about 2 cups
  • 2 medium 3 ounces each carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups
  • 2 medium 2 ounces each celery ribs, coarsely chopped (about 1 1/3 cups
  • 6 medium garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 3 inch thyme sprigs
  • 2 fresh bay leaves
  • 1 2-ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind, plus grated cheese for garnish
  • 4 ounce uncooked pastina pasta about 1/2 cup
  • 2 cups 8 ounce shredded rotisserie chicken (from 1 [3 pound] chicken
  • Fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

Method
 

  1. Gather all ingredients.
  2. Bring broth, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and salt to a boil in a large saucepan or small Dutch oven over high. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer vegetables and 1 cup of broth to a blender.
  3. Secure lid on blender, and remove center piece to allow steam to escape. Place a clean towel over opening. Process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Stir blended carrot mixture back into soup.
  4. Add thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Add pasta, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, 18 to 20 minutes, adding shredded chicken in the last 3 minutes of cooking.
  5. Remove from heat. Remove and discard thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind.
  6. Serve immediately; garnish with parsley and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Recipe developed by Craig Ruff

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 28gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 1913mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g

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