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Italian Penicillin Soup

Italian Penicillin Soup

Italian Penicillin Soup is a rich, comforting, and soul-nourishing dish that combines simple, pantry-friendly ingredients with bold flavors like Parmesan rind, fresh thyme, and lemon juice. This hearty soup offers a creamy texture from blended vegetables and a bright, fresh finish, perfect for cozy dinners any time of the year.

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 yellow onions, chopped
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 russet potatoes, diced

Liquids and Seasonings

  • 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
  • 1 Parmesan rind
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • Optional: freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil

Instructions

  1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions, minced garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook gently until softened and fragrant, about 7 to 10 minutes, building the soup’s flavor base.
  2. Add the potatoes and broth: Stir in diced russet potatoes, then pour in the chicken broth. Add the Parmesan rind and fresh thyme sprigs, bringing everything to a gentle boil before reducing to a simmer.
  3. Simmer until tender: Let the soup simmer uncovered for approximately 30 minutes, or until potatoes and vegetables are tender and the broth has absorbed all the flavors.
  4. Blend for creamy texture: Remove the Parmesan rind and thyme stems. Use an immersion blender to blend about half the soup until smooth, retaining some chunks for texture and heartiness.
  5. Final touches: Stir in freshly squeezed lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh thyme and parsley for best flavor and aroma.
  • Don’t skip the Parmesan rind to impart deep, savory richness.
  • Blend only half the soup to maintain a hearty texture.
  • Simmer soup slowly over low heat to meld flavors without breaking down vegetables excessively.
  • Add lemon juice at the end to preserve its fresh brightness.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 5mg

Keywords: Italian soup, comforting soup, Penicillin soup, creamy vegetable soup, gluten free soup, easy soup recipe