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Pastina in brodo
Tiny pasta in broth
Pastina in brodo: Italy's tiny pasta stars in vegetable broth, the classic comfort for children
Ask any Italian what their mother made when they were ill as a child, and the answer is pastina in brodo: tiny pasta stars (stelline) or alphabet letters cooked in a light homemade broth and finished with a spoonful of grated Parmigiano and a drizzle of olive oil. It is the first "grown-up" food for many Italian toddlers and the comfort food for everyone on a cold or tired evening. Parmigiano is made with animal rennet; a vegetarian hard cheese works. Chef's tip: cook the pasta directly in the broth, not in water; the starch gives the broth a gentle, silky body.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
For the broth
- 4 ¼ cups water
- 1 carrothalved
- 1 celery stickhalved
- ½ onion
- 1 small tomatoopt
- 1 small potatopeeled
- ½ tsp salt
For the soup
- ⅔ oz Parmigiano Reggiano or a vegetarian hard cheesefinely grated
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Put 4 ¼ cups water, 1 carrot, 1 celery stick, ½ onion, 1 small tomato, if using, 1 small potato and ½ tsp salt in a pan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Strain and keep the broth; the carrot and potato can be mashed in for younger children.
15 minStep 2: Bring 600 ml of the broth back to the boil and add 2 ⅞ oz tiny pasta (stelline or alphabet). Cook for 4–6 minutes, stirring now and then, until tender. Common mistake: walking away; tiny pasta sticks to the bottom and overcooks fast.
6 minStep 3: Take off the heat and stir in ⅔ oz Parmigiano Reggiano or a vegetarian hard cheese and 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
Step 4: Leave to cool for a few minutes and check the temperature before serving to children.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 260 kcal
- Protein
- 11 g
- Carbs
- 40 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does pastina in brodo take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of carrot?
- Parsnip or sweet potato, same weight.
- What can I use instead of celery stick?
- Fennel, same weight.
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