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Italian Penicillin Soup: The Healing Comfort You Need in a Bowl

Italian Penicillin Soup: The Healing Comfort You Need in a Bowl
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★★★★★

4.9 from 11 reviews

Italian Penicillin Soup is a soothing and comforting bowl of warm goodness made from a blend of vegetables, savory broth, and small pasta known as pastina. This hearty soup combines the healing properties of garlic, lemon, and nourishing ingredients with a smooth texture and garnishes that make it perfect for cold days or when you need a little boost. It’s easy to prepare and deliciously satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

  • 3 Tbsp (45 ml) olive oil
  • 3 large carrots, peeled & roughly chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, quartered
  • 5 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 3 celery ribs, halved
  • 1 tsp (5 g) salt
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Parmesan rind (optional)
  • 8 cups (1.9 L) chicken or vegetable broth

Pasta

  • 1¼ cups (170 g) pastina or other small pasta

Finishing Touches

  • Juice of 1 lemon (more as desired)

To Serve

  • Freshly grated parmesan
  • Black pepper
  • Drizzle of olive oil (optional)
  • Chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the carrots, onion, garlic, celery, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are lightly browned and fragrant.
  2. Add broth and simmer: Add the parmesan rind (if using) and chicken or vegetable broth to the pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 25–30 minutes until the vegetables are very soft.
  3. Blend the soup: Remove the parmesan rind and use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, blend the soup in batches using a countertop blender. Return to the pot if needed.
  4. Cook the pasta: Stir in the pastina and cook for 8–10 minutes until the pasta is tender. If saving leftovers, cook the pasta separately to prevent it from becoming mushy.
  5. Finish with lemon and seasoning: Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
  6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, black pepper, and chopped parsley if using. Serve hot for a warming meal.

Notes

  • The parmesan rind adds a deep savory flavor but can be omitted for a vegetarian or vegan version.
  • Pastina is a very small pasta; substitute with other small shaped pasta if unavailable.
  • For leftovers, cook pasta separately or add fresh pasta when reheating to avoid sogginess.
  • Add extra lemon juice for more brightness and healing properties.
  • Use vegetable broth to make this soup vegetarian or vegan; omit parmesan or use a vegan alternative for a strict vegan diet.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian soup, penicillin soup, pastina soup, vegetable soup, comforting soup, healing soup, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://islawhite.com/italian-penicillin-soup-the-healing-comfort-you-need-in-a-bowl/