Italian Sick Day Soup (Pastina)

Ingredients

• 2 pieces Carrots (peeled and roughly chopped)
• 2 pieces Celery Stalks (roughly chopped)
• 1 medium Sweet Onion (peeled and roughly chopped)
• 2 pieces Garlic Cloves (smashed, skin removed)
• 2 pieces Bay Leaves (whole)
• 8 cups Chicken Broth (low‑sodium, preferably homemade)
• 1 cup Cooked Chicken (shredded; can use rotisserie or leftover boiled chicken)
• 0.5 cup Pastina (uncooked small pasta stars)
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley (chopped)
• to taste Salt (preferably kosher or sea salt)

Instructions

1. Prep Vegetables

   Peel the carrots, trim and chop the celery, peel and roughly chop the onion, smash and peel the garlic cloves. Set aside.

   Time: PT5M

2. Start the Soup Base

   Add the chopped carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves and 8 cups of chicken broth to the large pot. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: medium heat

3. Simmer Vegetables

   Let the broth simmer, uncovered, until the vegetables are very tender, about 20 minutes.

   Time: PT20M

   Temperature: medium heat

4. Blend the Veggies

   Remove the bay leaves. Transfer the cooked vegetables and about 1 cup of the hot broth into a blender. Crack the lid slightly to allow steam to escape and blend until smooth.

   Time: PT5M

5. Return Puree to Pot

   Pour the vegetable puree back into the pot, stir, and bring the soup to a boil over high heat.

   Time: PT3M

   Temperature: high heat

6. Cook Pastina

   Add the pastina to the boiling soup and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 5 minutes.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: medium heat

7. Add Chicken

   Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and heat through for 2 minutes.

   Time: PT2M

   Temperature: medium heat

8. Finish and Serve

   Season the soup with salt to taste, then stir in the grated Parmesan and chopped parsley. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

   Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

180

Protein

12g

Carbohydrates

20g

Fat

5g

Fiber

2g