Chicken Brodo with Spring Vegetables and Fried Bread

A comforting Italian-style chicken broth enriched with prosciutto and porcini mushrooms, served with spring vegetables, crispy fried bread, and fresh pea shoots. This elegant soup combines the deep flavors of a long-simmered broth with the freshness of seasonal vegetables.

4 servings
3 hr 38 min

Ingredients

  • 4 lb raw chicken bones
  • 3 whole spring onions
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 3 oz prosciutto
  • ¾ cup dried porcini mushrooms
  • cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 slices country-style bread
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • 10 oz asparagus
  • 4 oz button mushrooms
  • 2 cups pea shoots
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 to taste Parmesan
  • 1 to taste black pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Bring chicken bones and 12 cups cold water to a gentle simmer (you don't want it to boil) in a large pot. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook at a bare simmer, skimming foam occasionally, until stock is reduced by one-third, 2 1/2-3 hours.

    180 min

  2. 2.

    Add spring onions, garlic, prosciutto, and mushrooms to pot and cook another 20 minutes. Strain stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl; discard solids (you should have about 9 cups). Pour 3 cups brodo into an airtight container; reserve for another use.

    20 min

  3. 3.

    Do Ahead: Brodo can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

  4. 4.

    Heat 1/3 cup oil in a medium skillet over medium. As soon as the oil begins to look glossy, add bread slices and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and season lightly with salt.

    6 min

  5. 5.

    Pour brodo into a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Taste and season with salt. Add asparagus and cook until tender and bright green, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; add mushrooms.

    5 min

  6. 6.

    Toss pea shoots and lemon juice in a medium bowl; season with salt.

    2 min

  7. 7.

    Divide soup among bowls and place a piece of fried bread into each one. Top with dressed pea shoots and Parmesan. Drizzle with lots of oil and season with pepper.

    5 min