Here’s a simple recipe for Pastina Soup, a comforting and classic Italian dish, perfect for cold days. Pastina are small pasta shapes that cook quickly and work well in broths.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup pastina (small pasta like acini di pepe or stelline)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg (optional for richness)
- Fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat the oil: In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Add the broth: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Stir to combine, then bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Cook the pastina: Once the broth is simmering, add the pastina and thyme (if using). Cook according to the package directions, usually around 4-5 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
- (Optional) Add the egg: If you like a richer soup, you can gently beat the egg in a separate bowl and slowly drizzle it into the soup while stirring. This will create silky egg strands in the broth. Make sure the soup is not boiling when you add the egg to avoid curdling.
- Season: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Enjoy your cozy bowl of pastina soup! It’s perfect when you want something light, but also comforting.
