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Italian Penicillin Soup

Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 8 cups good-quality chicken broth
  • 1 small Parmesan rind (optional)
  • 1 cup pastina (stelline or acini di pepe)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1 to 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute.
  2. Pour in the chicken broth and add the Parmesan rind if using. Bring to a boil, then add the pastina. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the pasta is just tender, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. While the soup simmers, whisk together the eggs, ½ cup Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice. Turn the heat under the soup to the lowest setting. Slowly drizzle the egg mixture into the hot soup, stirring constantly with a fork, until thin strands form.
  4. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice. Remove the Parmesan rind. Stir in most of the parsley, then ladle the soup into bowls and top with extra Parmesan and the remaining parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

The pastina will continue to absorb broth as it sits, so the soup will thicken. If you plan to have leftovers, cook the pastina separately and add it to each bowl just before serving, storing the broth and pasta in separate containers.