Vegan Pastina Soup

Vegan Pastina Soup is comforting, heartening & healthy. It is ideal in cold weather, in case of sickness/when you simply need comfort. The soup is made of small pasta, springy vegetables, and savory stock. This is an easy soup to prepare. It has a lot of plant-based nutrients and is gentle on the stomach. Dairy, eggs, or meat are not necessary for its flavor. Every spoonful becomes smooth and soft because of the small pieces of pasta (pastina). Create a large pot of Vegan Pastina Soup and relish it throughout a couple of days. It is nutritious, appetizing, and so harmless to the body as well.

STATS:

• Diet: Vegan
• Course: Main, Soup
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Cooking time: 25 minutes
• Working time (total): 35 minutes
• Size/serving: 1 bowl
• Total yield: 4 servings
• Level of difficulty: Easy
• Time for prep: 10 minutes
• Mode of cooking: Stovetop

EQUIPMENT:

• Large soup pot
• Wooden spoon
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Ladle

INGREDIENTS:

• One tablespoon of oil from olives
• One little onion (chopped)
• Two minced garlic cloves
• One little carrot (chopped)
• One little celery stem (chopped)
• Six cups of vegetable broth
• Half a cup of pastina/little spaghetti
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• To taste, add salt & pepper.
• Lemon juice, vegan parmesan/fresh parsley (optional)

INGREDIENT NOTES:

Olive Oil:

• Light olive oil should be used when sautéing. It gives color to the foundation. You can also apply avocado oil in case you like it better.

Onion and Garlic:

• They form the foundation of taste. Chop into small bits to help them melt smoothly into the soup.

Carrot and Celery:

• Canned soup vegetables. They make it sweet and creamy. Cut the dice small so that they may cook quickly.

Vegetable Broth:

• Take a good-quality stock or a homemade one. It holds the taste, hence choose the one you like.

Pastina:

• The pasta shapes are small, such as dots and stars, called pastina. Orzo or acini di pepe is a good alternative in case you cannot locate them.

Thyme:

• Brings a cozy herbal fragrance. Dried or fresh. The needle does not move much.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. First, you need to heat up the cooking oil in the pan.
2. Cook the crushed onions for at least two to three minutes.
3. Add the garlic, carrot, and celery and stir.
4. For five minutes, cook, stirring often.
5. Put the veggie broth in. Mix everything together.
6. Add with some pepper, salt & herb thyme.
7. Heat the soup till it boils.
8. Reduce the heat & cook for the next ten minutes.
9. Add the pastina & stir.
10. Cook more for 6 to 8 minutes uncovered, till pasta is tender.
11. To keep the pasta from sticking, stir often.
12. Adjust the salt & pepper according to taste.
13. After turning off the heat, let the soup some time to rest.
14. If desired, squeeze in some lemon juice.
15. Top with vegan parmesan or chopped parsley & serve.

TIPS:

• Substitute gluten-free pasta when necessary.
• To make it more creamy, add a splash of plant milk.
• Make twice the batch to cook.
• Pasta in the form of pastina should be cooked with frequent stirring.
• You can add protein and cooked chickpeas or white beans.
• Plate after it’s ready with crusty bread or vegan crackers.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• Keep chilled soup in a sealed container. For as long as four days, it remains fresh. Turn down carefully on the stove or in the oven. Because the pasta takes up liquid, add a bit more water or broth.

FREEZER:

• Keep for no less than two months in sealed containers. Thaw in the freezer over the night. Before serving, re-cook and stir thoroughly.

FAQs:

May I use any other kinds of pasta?

• Yes. Orzo, ditalini/tiny shells can be used. The pasta should just be small to make the soup a smooth and light one.

Will the pasta become gooey?

• It is too bad it is when overcooked or left too long in broth. Cook the pastina until tender and eat shortly thereafter.

Can I prepare in advance?

• Yes. Prepare the broth and the vegetables. Pasta should be cooked just before serving or cooked separately, lest it become mushy.

Is Vegan Pastina Soup child-friendly?

• Yes. The kid flavors are very mild, and they consist of soft pasta; therefore, it is ideal food to feed children. It’s fine to chew and is refreshing.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (Per Serving – Approximate):

Calories: 180
Carbs: 28g
Total carbs: 28g
Fiber: 3g
Calcium: 40mg
Protein: 5g
Iron: 1.4mg
Vitamin A: 2900 IU
Serving size: 1 bowl
Sodium: 520mg
Serving: 4 servings
Potassium: 370mg