Chicken pastina soup

Stelline Symphony Chicken Soup: A Stellar Twist on Comfort!

Step into a world of culinary whimsy with this enchanting Chicken Stelline Soup. Picture all the charm of your beloved chicken noodle soup but with a delightful twist—adorable star-shaped pastina (stelline) steals the spotlight! Brace yourself for the ultimate cozy chicken soup experience, a heartwarming masterpiece destined to capture the hearts of both young adventurers and seasoned connoisseurs alike!

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 6 servings

Ingredient Notes

Embark on a celestial culinary journey with the minimal yet magical ingredients needed for this homemade Chicken and Stars Soup!

• Celestial Chicken: Enchant your soup with easy-poached chicken—a personal favorite. Alternatively, summon the spirit of leftover rotisserie chicken or let the soup itself weave its magic around fresh chicken!
• Vegetable Elixirs: A portion of homemade vegetable stock forms the base, but fear not, store-bought vegetable stock or chicken stock can also join the mystical brew. Beware, though, as the store-bought elixirs may bring with them a salty enchantment, requiring a touch of moderation.
• Nebula Nectar – White Wine: The choice is yours! Infuse the broth with an optional touch of white wine, adding an extra layer of flavor that elevates your soup to ethereal heights.
• Herb Whispers: Fresh herbs cast a vibrant spell, but fear not the substitution scroll—2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning can fill the mystical void.
• Fire Dust – Cayenne Pepper: Add a dash of heat and flavor with the fiery cayenne pepper. For those who prefer a milder enchantment, feel free to omit this element.
• Parmesan Alchemy: Unlock the secrets of umami by adding optional parmesan rinds to the brew. Leftover parmesan rinds weave a savory tale that enhances the very essence of the broth.
• Stelline Stars & Beyond: Enter the universe of pastina—tiny pasta that adds a celestial touch. Specifically, stelline, the twinkling stars of the pasta cosmos! Yet fear not, should these stars be elusive, a plethora of other small pastina varieties await their turn in this cosmic chicken soup spectacle. Want you recipes? here you can check out Sweet Corn Gazapacho and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of untamed butter (or summon the spirit of olive oil)
• 1 mighty onion, diced with determination
• 4 cosmic ribs of celery, diced for flavor harmony
• 4 majestic carrots, diced in a symphony of colors
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced to release the aroma of enchantment
• 1 tablespoon of fresh sage, adding a dash of earthy wisdom
• 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme, plucked from the herbal cosmos
• ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, for a pinch of celestial essence
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper, ground for cosmic seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon of optional cayenne pepper, a spark of flavor magic
• ½ cup of white cooking wine (optional), an elixir for culinary elevation
• 6 cups of vegetable stock (or call upon chicken stock or water)
• 2 bay leaves, guardians of flavor
• 1 optional leftover parmesan rind, adding a secret umami dimension
• 2 large poached chicken breasts, shredded with celestial finesse
• 1 cup of stelline pastina (star pasta) for a galactic twist
• 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, a burst of citrusy stardust
• 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley (optional), a sprinkle of herbal magic

Instructions

1. Dice the onion, celery, and carrots into a symphony of small wonders, and dance with the minced garlic.
2. Summon a grand stock pot and let the prepared veggies join forces with butter in a cosmic fusion over medium-high heat.
3. In this celestial waltz, sauté the medley for 5-7 minutes until tender, releasing an aromatic enchantment.
4. Introduce thyme, sage, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne—a magical blend that dances for an additional minute.
5. As the flavors waltz in harmony, pour in the wine, ensuring to scrape up the flavorful tales from the pan’s bottom. Now, let the vegetable stock, bay leaves, and parmesan rinds join the cosmic dance and reach a magnificent boil. Caution: If parmesan rinds grace the soup, swirl the cauldron frequently to prevent a melty mishap.
6. Enter the grand finale—shredded chicken and stelline pasta twirl into the pot, simmering until the starry pasta reaches the pinnacle of tenderness, a dance of 8-12 minutes.
7. Inject a burst of citrusy stardust with lemon juice, tasting and adjusting the seasoning to your cosmic preference.
8. Crown the Chicken Pastina Soup with a flourish of fresh parsley, presenting it to the world as an immediate delight!

Notes

To preserve the essence of your pastina delight, I propose a magical maneuver: strain the broth from the pastina embrace before storing! A bewitching act to ensure your pastina stays sprightly and never succumbs to a bloated fate, leaving you with an ample broth to savor!

The secret ritual involves keeping the broth and pastina paramours apart in the fridge, nestled in their own realms, for a harmonious coexistence that lasts up to 5 days.

But wait, there’s more magic! Should you wish to freeze this enchanted elixir for future feasts, heed this advice: withhold the star pastina until you summon the soup from the frosty depths. Parcel out the portion destined for the icy realms and introduce the cooked pastina only to the potion you’re ready to relish immediately. Enjoy the comforting Potato Carrot Leek Soup!

In this culinary saga, foresight ensures the longevity of your pastina enchantment, granting you a symphony of flavors whenever you decide to summon the magic!

Starry Soup Alchemy: A Symphony of Textures!

Magical Stew Transformation:
Witness the enchantment as parmesan rinds and pastina starch join forces, bestowing upon this soup a stew-like richness. A culinary spell that thickens the potion, creating a velvety consistency. Yet, beware! The pastina, a swift absorber of broth, demands immediate service to avoid a thickened fate!

Broth Separation Spell:
To safeguard against soggy, bloated stars, deploy the ancient art of straining! Allow the broth to embark on its separate journey before storing. Reunite them only when the time for reheating beckons—an effortless defense against broth-absorbing stellar drama.

Frozen Magic Unleashed:
Should you seek to freeze this elixir for future cravings, exercise patience with the star pastina. Reserve its entrance until the frosty abyss is ready to yield its treasure. Portion out the soup destined for the icy realms and only then summon the pastina, ensuring a fresh, untangled reunion when you’re ready to indulge. Check out our Creamy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe!

Chicken & Stars’ Perfect Partners:
No culinary symphony is complete without accompaniments! Consider these celestial duets for your Chicken and Stars Soup:

• Crusty sourdough bread, a hearty companion to the celestial brew.
• Crackers, with saltines leading the harmony for a perfect soup duet.
• Puff pastry bites, a flaky dance partner in this gastronomic gala.

Embark on a culinary adventure where every spoonful tells a tale of textures and flavors!

Curious about the lifespan of this magical Chicken Pastina Symphony?

Allow it to weave its enchantment in the fridge for up to 5 days! Separate the broth and its delectable companions, ensuring they coexist in harmony.

Pastina Possibilities

But lo and behold, what if the elusive stelline pasta evades your culinary quest? Fret not, for a pantheon of petite pastina awaits your summoning! Acini di pepe, Orzo, Farfalline, Alphabet pasta, Anelli, or Ditalina rigati—all are worthy contenders for your culinary canvas. Let creativity guide you through this pastina tapestry of wonders!