Description
Italian Penicillin Soup is a comforting and nourishing bowl featuring a rich chicken bone broth simmered with vegetables, turmeric, and tender pastina or orzo pasta. This soup is enriched with Parmesan cheese, butter, and a silky whisked egg, finished off with fresh parsley and a lemon squeeze for brightness. Perfect for a quick, soothing meal in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Broth and Seasonings
- 4 cups chicken bone broth
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pasta and Enrichments
- ½ cup pastina or orzo
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg, thoroughly whisked
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh parsley
- A squeeze of lemon
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced celery, carrot, and onion, sautéing until they are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until it becomes aromatic but not browned, to avoid bitterness.
- Simmer the Broth: Pour in the chicken bone broth, then season with turmeric, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the pastina or orzo pasta to the simmering broth, and cook according to package instructions, usually about 7-9 minutes, until tender but not mushy.
- Enrich with Parmesan & Butter: Remove the pot from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining butter until they melt completely, enriching the broth with silky texture and flavor.
- Incorporate the Egg: Slowly drizzle the thoroughly whisked egg into the soup while stirring continuously to create a smooth, silky texture without curdling.
- Finish with Fresh Flavors: Add optional fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors and add a fresh herbal note.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm, perfect as a comforting appetizer or light meal.
Notes
- Use chicken bone broth for a richer, more nutritious flavor.
- Pastina or orzo can be substituted with small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or ditalini if unavailable.
- Be sure to add the whisked egg slowly and stir continuously to avoid scrambling.
- Fresh lemon juice and parsley are optional but recommended for added freshness.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on the saltiness of your broth.
- This soup can be made gluten-free by substituting gluten-free pasta.
