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Friday, January 18, 2013

Mama's Stelline in Brodo (Star Pasta in Broth)



I am just getting over a very bad flu and could not have made it without pastini in brodo and when I ran out of the pastini (I went through a whole box of stelline) I used broken up pieces of angel hair pasta. It was the only thing I could keep down all week.  My Mother (like many Italian Mamas) always made us Pastini (tiny pasta including a variety shapes) in Brodo (broth) whenever we were feeling sick and I did so as well for my own children. It is such a simple thing to prepare but is just the right thing that really hits the spot on a cold, wet, or sick day.
Ingredients
Pastini (half a box) of your choice (Stelline, Orzo, etc...)
1 Chicken Bouillon Cube, 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon, or 1 quart store bought or homemade Chicken broth.
chopped parsley
red pepper flakes (If you like)
olive oil
optional: Parmesan cheese for topping
Directions
Fill a small pot with 4 cups water and add the bouillon or use 4 cups of chicken broth instead.
Taste for salt and add some if you like.
Bring to a boil and then add pasta and  cook for amount specified on the box of pastini stirring quite often.
Top with olive oil, red pepper, parsley, and Parmesan cheese.
Note: If we are battling a flu or other virus I add 1 chopped garlic clove to the broth in the beginning. If you mince it it will be to over powering so just chop.

1 comment:

  1. I remember eating pastina with soup as a kid. I remember how I thought it tasted different from the spaghetti I ate. I wonder if I would still feel that way. Today is a stock making day for me. Maybe I should make a stellini soup with it.

    ReplyDelete

Grazie! I will try and answer any questions you have via a comment.