1 Blender, Food Processor, or Immersion Blender optional
Ingredients
2 tbsextra virgin olive oil
1 cupcarrotsroughly chopped
1mediumonionroughly chopped
1 cupceleryroughly chopped
3-4clovesgarlic
6-8cupschicken stock or brothdepending on your desired consistency
1cuppastina
1/4 to 1/2cupgrated parmigiano reggianoplus more to top
1 parmesan rindoptional
salt and pepperto taste
1 bay leaf
2tbspbutter
1/4tspcrushed red pepperoptional
1/4 cupchopped parsleyoptional for garnish
fresh lemon juiceoptional for garnish
Instructions
Heat a medium pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your olive oil, carrots, onion, celery, salt and pepper. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the veggies are slightly softened. Add the garlic. Sauté for another minute.
Add chicken stock*, water, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes (optional) and a parmesan rind if you have it, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes.
Optional: Remove veggies from the pot. Add to a blender or food processor with 1/3 cup chicken stock(You can also use an immersion blender if you don't mind small pieces of veggies in your soup). Blend until smooth. Pour pureed veggies back into the pot.
Add 1 cup of your favorite pastina. Cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Remove from the heat. Stir in 2 tbsp butter and 1/4 to 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Garnish with extra parmesan, chopped parsley, and a little bit of fresh lemon juice (optional).
Enjoy!
Notes
*Adjust the amount of liquid based on your desired consistency. 6 cups of liquid will give you a very thick soup, while 8 cups will give it more of a traditional soup-like consistency.
Keyword healthy meals, italian penicillin, soup recipes