Dinner Bowl #7

 

I found about 1/3 of a box of pastina in the back of one of my cabinets, so whilst in this seemingly never ending use-stuff-up quest, I decided to make the soup that bears the name of the pasta: The infamous pastina soup (which Italians sometimes call "penicillin" soup). I wasn't sick, exactly, but I needed to be comforted. And I needed something to go with a tofu mayo and tomato sandwich.

The recipe I used for the soup is at Monkey and Me. I left out the optional miso because I am out of miso (although I am gradually coming to the conclusion that miso is actually a staple, and I should buy some), and it was fine, but I think the miso would have helped matters. I will try adding doenjang (which I do have) to some of the leftovers and see if that makes a big difference. It was a profoundly comforting soup, though, with its slightly thick veggie broth and tiny little pasta stars, and no demands from complexities or anything. Just warm and full of carbs.

It wasn't sensible on one level to make this in the summer, since it simmers for nearly an hour, but I didn't have to be in the kitchen for that, so it seemed to make sense at the time. I really enjoyed this with my tomato sandwich, which, using tofu mayo, had the protein boost such a meal needed. Veggie sandwiches using tofu mayo are a total game changer.

I know I complain a lot, but this really has been miserable weather.