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Italian Penicillin Soup: A Hug in a Bowl Recipe

Italian Penicillin Soup: A Hug in a Bowl Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 14 reviews

This Italian Penicillin Soup is a warm, comforting bowl of pureed vegetable broth with tender pastina pasta, brightened by fresh lemon juice and enriched with Parmesan cheese. It’s a cozy, soothing soup perfect for chilly days or when you need a culinary hug.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 3 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, quartered
  • 5 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 3 ribs celery, halved

Liquids and Broth

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 lemon, juiced (more to taste)

Other Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 ¼ cups pastina (or other small pasta shapes like orzo, stelline, or ditalini)
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
  • Parmesan rind (optional, for added flavor)
  • Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped carrots, onion, garlic, and celery. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables soften and aromas release, building the flavor base for the soup.
  2. Add the Broth: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and add the Parmesan rind if using. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes to tenderize vegetables and meld flavors.
  3. Puree Until Smooth: Remove and discard the Parmesan rind. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup directly in the pot until creamy and smooth. Alternatively, transfer to a blender in batches, blending cautiously after slightly cooling to avoid splatters.
  4. Cook the Pasta: Return the pureed soup to a gentle simmer. Stir in the pastina pasta, cooking for 8-10 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. For leftovers, cook pasta separately to maintain texture.
  5. Add Lemon and Season: Stir in the juice of one lemon to brighten the soup’s flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle soup into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan, a sprinkle of parsley, and optionally drizzle olive oil. Serve with crusty bread or enjoy as a hearty, comforting meal on its own.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • The Parmesan rind adds a savory depth but can be omitted if not available.
  • Pastina can be substituted with other small pasta shapes such as orzo, stelline, or ditalini.
  • Cooking pasta separately is recommended if planning to store leftovers to prevent sogginess.
  • Adjust lemon juice carefully to balance acidity with the soup’s richness.
  • Use an immersion blender for convenience and safety when pureeing hot soup.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian soup, penicillin soup, pastina soup, comforting soup, pureed vegetable soup, lemon soup, Parmesan soup

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/italian-penicillin-soup-a-hug-in-a-bowl-recipe/