It’s officially fall, which means I have gone completely into stay home and cook mode. I made goulash this week and have chili on my mind for this weekend (well last weekend for y’all). The chillier weather just makes me crave comfort food. Pasta, soups and stews, I can’t resist any of it, and it’s some of my favorite food to make.

With kids being back to school, combined with dropping temps, that can only mean one thing — cold and flu season is also upon us. And what makes you feel better when you are down with the sniffles? Comfort food.

You see where I’m going with this right? You’ve skimmed the page, you know me well, I’ve got a recipe for you!

Chicken pastina, often referred to as Italian Penicillin is my favorite alternative to traditional chicken noodle soup. It’s warm and rich and will help cure what ails ya. It’s also super simple to make, doesn’t require any fancy ingredients, or chopping, so if you aren’t feeling well, it’s easy to fix up.

So, without further ado…

Chicken Pastina (Italian Penicillin)
Ingredients:
• 1 carton (32 oz.) of chicken broth or stock (I prefer stock as it makes it richer)
• 4 eggs lightly beaten
• 4 cups of pastina (Acini di pepe), or other itty-bitty pasta
• 4 TBS of butter
• a good handful of good Parmesan cheese
• Black pepper to taste

Directions:

Bring your stock or broth to boil in a saucepan. (if you are in a pinch, you can use water, just make sure you salt the water well)

Add pastina and cook until most of the water is absorbed.

Turn off heat and stir in egg, letting it cook in the hot pasta.

Add butter, cheese and pepper. Eat slowly out of your favorite bowl with your favorite spoon.

When done, this will almost have the consistency of grits. It’s not a ‘soupy’ soup. Like I said, it’s rich and delicious and will certainly make being sick a little more tolerable. And since there isn’t a lot of work in it, you don’t have to overwork yourself when you already don’t feel well.

It’s great for the little ones too. With the tiny pasta, it’s great for everyone from toddlers to teens. If the rumors are to be believed, word on the street is that it will even help with the dreaded man cold.

Also, this recipe will make a good-sized batch of soup. But, I’m always here for you. You can make a decent sized single serving by just dividing everything by four.

The best news is you don’t even need to be sick to enjoy this. It’s a perfect quick easy dinner for any chilly night.