Learning Adventures' Stracciatella, Sonja Style!

We use a Unit Study Series called Learning Adventures.  This curriculum is jam packed with great recipes that go along with the area or time period that we are studying, and many are meals that we repeat over and over!  This particular recipe is one that came from the Italian section of the Renaissance and Reformation Unit.  

It is a soup, which is made up of chicken broth, bread crumbs, shredded cheese, eggs, salt and pepper.  I didn't think that was enough for my chowing family of 7, so I added 4 cubed chicken breasts, 2 cups of frozen veggies, parsley, basil, and garlic.  It was incredible!  I also served it with salad and everything french bread.

The actual recipe from the book is as follows:

6 cups chicken stock

4 Tablespoons bread crumbs

3 eggs

Salt and pepper

1/2 cup shredded parmesan

Bring 6 cups of chicken stock to a boil.  In a separate bowl mix together bread crumbs, eggs and cheese.  Mix about 1 cup of the stock into the egg mixture, then transfer all of the bread and egg mixture to the pot with the stock.  Add salt and pepper to taste, and cook for exactly one minute.  Serve immediately.

Here are the changes that I made:

Bring 8 cups of chicken broth to a boil (I used bouillon cubes).  Cube 4 chicken breasts and add them to the water, boil till chicken is done.  Add 2 cups of your choice of frozen vegetables (we had a cauliflower, broccoli, carrot mix).  

Mix bread crumbs and eggs in a separate bowl.  I had about half a mixing bowl full of bread pieces, because I'd been saving for croutons, so I just mashed those up, and used 6 eggs.  Mix in a cup of whatever shredded cheese you have (ours was colby jack).  When the chicken is done, dip 2 cups of the stock from the pot into the bread mixture, stirring thoroughly.  After it is well combined, transfer the entire mixture to the pot, and cook, stirring, for one minute.  Serve immediately!

I served this with pieces of "Everything French Bread", and Caesar Salad.  This soup is so wonderful!  It is rich and hearty, and creamy.  My husband said "I could eat this a few times a week!"

I definitely consider this adventure a success!