Beat the cold with comforting Italian pastina soup

Whenever everyone at home began sneezing and coughing, Mom would set up a large pot of broth, generously sprinkling parsley at the end. Italian moms have a similar approach to dealing with sickness, often serving their grandchildren pastina, a simple, warming soup. It gets its name from the tiny pasta, which is its main ingredient. It's also nicknamed "penicillin soup" because this simple dish aids in fighting infections. Italians are familiar with this taste from family kitchens, and younger generations continue to enjoy this recipe.

Pastina soup is a simple, quick, and healthy meal worth incorporating into your diet. It's perfect for combating a cold, but it tastes great any time of the year. It has a somewhat mushy consistency that might remind you of egg drop noodles in broth. This very consistency is what makes the soup so filling and nourishing. Moreover, you can prepare it in just half an hour—ideal when you feel a cold coming on.

This recipe is even simpler than broth. True to Italian culinary tradition, parmesan is a must. For this soup, you use pastina, a small pasta resembling grains. If you can't find it in stores, you can use other small shapes like orzo.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of chicken or vegetable broth,
• 1 cup of small pasta (e.g., stars, rice)
• 2 tablespoons of butter,
• 3-4 tablespoons of grated parmesan.

Preparation:

1. Pour the broth into a pot and bring it to a boil.
2. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, or until it absorbs most of the liquid. Remember to stir to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
3. When the pasta is nearly done, add the butter and stir until it melts completely.
4. Generously sprinkle the soup with grated parmesan and mix until the cheese melts.

For an even creamier consistency, you can add an egg yolk. Beat it before incorporating it into the soup and gently stir it in. Pastina soup is best served immediately after preparation. You can additionally sprinkle it with parmesan—there's no such thing as too much. Enjoy!