Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

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.A hickory tree's fall beauty against a Carolina blue sky.

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Sunday, November 14, 2010

Pastina Chicken Soup ~ ~ Italian Childhood Memories

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Here's a soup that is near and dear to my heart that evokes childhood memories of my mother's cooking. Made with homemade chicken broth, it is extremely easy to prepare and will warm not only your heart but also your children's hearts.  I say that this is easy with the caveat that simplicity comes after the broth is made.  My mother made her version of chicken noodle soup with homemade chicken broth and tiny, tiny little pasta shaped in the form of stars . . . known as 'pastina'.  This is also a recipe that is representative of the 'cucina povera' (poor food) that my relatives ate in the harsh environment of the Italian mountains in the 19th and 20th centuries prior to moving to America.

My family recipe for chicken broth (Brodo di Pollo) is posted on November 25, 2009.  You can click here for the recipe.


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Who doesn't like chicken noodle soup?  And what soup comes to mind the most when someone is a little under the weather and in need of some warm comfort food?  Chicken noodle soup is just a classic, traditional soup in our culture.
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Pastina in Chicken Broth (Pastina en Brodo di Pollo)

6 cups chicken broth (I make and freeze my own chicken broth, so I always have some on hand ~ recipe posted on 11/25/09, click here)
1 2-inch piece of Parmesan cheese rind
1 cup pastina (any tiny, tiny pasta shape)
2 cups diced cooked chicken, preferably breast meat (optional, my family does not include)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Giada used Romano, which is a nice cheese as well)
Sea salt to taste

In a large stockpot, bring the chicken broth (preferably home-made) and Parmesan rind to a boil over medium-high heat.
Add the tiny pastina noodles and cook until the pasta is tender for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the chicken if used, and heat through about 3 minutes.
Remove the Parmesan rind and discard.
Stir in 1/2 of the cheese.
Season with sea salt to taste.
Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle with the remaining cheese, if desired.

Serve with warm, crusty Italian bread for sopping up any extra broth.
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Friday, November 12, 2010

Seasonal Saturday and Fresh, Clean & Pure Friday

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Just incredible posts for all things fresh, clean and pure and/or seasonal that we've incorporated into our lives have been shared in the these weekend get-togethers.  The recipes are mouth-watering, the decor is beautiful, the thoughts and photos are incredible, the gardens are stunning, and the fashion/crafts are current and fresh!  Here are just a few of the over 50 posts from the last two weeks that were so inspiring and motivating (I didn't provide this list last week, so there's 2 weeks worth of great inspiration for you to read).  If you're post isn't on the list, it might have been included a few weeks ago, or it will be featured in the future.  I'm just trying to keep it manageable, not preferential.  So keep 'em coming and enjoy each other's creativity and efforts to inspire all of us!

Fresh Food:
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls by gnee @ Singing with the Birds
Caramelized Apple Strudel from elra @ elra
Loaded and Lite Potato Soup from Anne @ anniebakes
Fresh Cranberry and Banana Muffins from Lizzie @ cook it allergy free
Cinnamon Spice Bread from Healthy Mama @Simply Healthy Family
Raspberry Scones ~ Heart Smart from Claudia @ Blogs Got Heart

Fresh Looks in Decor:
Grapes on the Vine from Melissa @ Melissa's Heart and Home
Fall Surprise Quilt from gnee @ Singing with the Birds
Autumn Interior Decor & First Snowfall from Bernideen @ Bernideen's Tea Time

Fresh Photography, Poetry or Thoughts:
Going Home (Beautiful Autumn Photos) from Jamie @ Beyond The Kitchen Window
Make The Most of Your Life Tips from Java @ Never Growing Old
Time Out for Grownups from Ramblings of a Woman

Fresh Handmade Crafts:
Paper Weaves from Gail @ Can't Stop Making Things
  • Link-up your post, with a lovely photo and title of your post.
  • As always, I delete any post not related to the theme of "anything fresh, clean, pure and/or seasonal in your life" . . . no posts to try to sell or giveaway anything, no posts with only coupons or store promotionals.
  • Post the button if you like; THEY ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF MY BLOG!



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