Zuppa Pavese

Ingredients

• 4 slices of rustic bread 4 slices of rustic bread
• 4 cups (950ml) chicken or vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 4 eggs 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, diced 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1/2 cup (120ml) white wine 1/2 cup (120ml) white wine
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 26g, 4g
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the bread slices on a baking sheet and toast them until golden brown and crispy, about 10 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
3. 3.
   Pour in the white wine and cook for another 2 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate.
4. 4.
   Add the chicken or vegetable broth to the pot and bring it to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
5. 5.
   Carefully crack the eggs into the simmering broth, one at a time. Poach the eggs until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, about 3-4 minutes.
6. 6.
   Place a slice of toasted bread in each serving bowl. Ladle the hot broth with a poached egg over the bread.
7. 7.
   Garnish with chopped parsley, basil, and grated Parmesan cheese.
8. 8.
   Serve immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bread — Choose a rustic bread with a firm texture, such as ciabatta or baguette, to hold up well in the soup.
• Parmesan cheese — Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.
• Customize the soup by adding other vegetables like zucchini or spinach.
• Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
• To make the soup heartier, add cooked chicken or sausage slices.
• Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over the soup before serving for added richness.

Serving advice

Serve the Zuppa Pavese hot, straight from the stove, to enjoy its comforting warmth. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread for dipping.

Presentation advice

Present the Zuppa Pavese in individual bowls, ensuring that each bowl has a slice of toasted bread at the bottom, topped with a poached egg. Garnish with fresh herbs and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.