Stracciatella Soup

[BreezyCooking]

This has always been one of my favorite "light" Italian soups, one that I often order if it's offered in Italian restaurants. Over the years I've tried many recipes for it, changing things here & there, & yesterday I finally developed a final recipe that I (& hubby) really really liked.

On it's own & served in large shallow soup plates, this makes an elegant light starter to an Italian meal - in my opinion particularly if the menu involves some type of roasted or braised poultry, or other Northern Italian cuisine. However, adding in your favorite tortellini or ravioli makes it a wonderful lunch or supper on its own, accompanied by a green salad & a good crusty bread.

One of the best things about it? From start to finish you can have it on the table in about 20 minutes tops!!

STRACCIATELLA SOUP

2 cartons Swanson’s chicken broth
4 cloves of garlic, peeled, halved lengthwise, & smashed
Bag of baby spinach, roughly chopped
2 eggs, beaten
Zest & juice from half a lemon
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

Bring broth to a boil & add garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, & spinach. Lower heat a little & simmer brightly for about 5 minutes. Add ½ cup parmesan to beaten eggs & slowly pour mixture into simmering broth, stirring gently. Add salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste & serve with extra parmesan on the side.

Variation: In a separate pot of boiling water, cook some of your favorite ravioli or tortellini to the al dente stage, drain, & add to each bowl of soup. If using fresh pasta you could probably cook it right in the broth, but dried or frozen work better if cooked separately & added to the soup right before serving.

[kadesma]

Your soup recipe sounds lovely Breezy,
with fall in the air, it's sure to please my family..Thank you.

kadesma

[Alix]

Oooooooo...a definite keeper here. Thanks Breezy. I am a soup a holic and love to try new ones. I'm addicted to Italian Wedding soup and this looks similar. Can't wait to try it.

[Half Baked]

Sounds like a wonder and light soup, Breezy!

[lyndalou]

Thanks for the recipe, BC. I see you are from Culpeper. We were there a couple of months ago, where we had an unfortunate incident involving our vehicle and another car. DH was ticketed for failure to yield. A long story. He paid the fine, our car is being repaired this week and all is well. No one hurt, thankfully.

I am definitely going to make your soup. It sounds great.