Egg Ribbons In Homemade Broth

makes 6 first-course servings
Recipe from Domenica Marchetti

It is important to use homemade broth in this soup, as the only components (with the exception of grated cheese as a garnish) are the egg ribbons and the broth itself. The broth can be made and frozen, and the egg ribbons can be prepared up to three days in advance and refrigerated.

instructions

To make the broth:

1. Put all of the ingredients except the water and salt into a large stockpot. Add the water, pouring in enough to cover the ingredients by about 2 inches. Bring the broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently, uncovered, skimming any foam that forms on the surface during the first hour or so of cooking. Simmer the broth for 3 to 4 hours, adding salt to taste during the last hour of cooking. The broth is ready when it is reduced by about one-half and has developed a rich, meaty flavor.

2. Strain the broth through a colander lined with damp cheesecloth into a clean container. Discard the solids. (You can save the good, large chunks of chicken meat and large pieces of carrot and celery and refrigerate them. I enjoy them as a cold lunch, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt.)

3. Let the broth cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Skim off and discard the congealed layer of fat on the surface before reheating the broth to use in soup.

To make the egg ribbons:

4. Combine the eggs, milk, parsley, salt, nutmeg and a little pepper in a bowl and whisk together. Gradually whisk in the flour, taking care to avoid lumps. Cover the batter with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

5. Place a 9-inch nonstick skillet (I use a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet) over medium heat and coat the bottom with a film of butter. When the butter is hot, pour in a small ladleful of batter (less than 1/2 cup) and quickly swirl the pan so that the batter coats the entire bottom, forming a thin crêpe. Cook for 30 to 45 seconds, or until just set. Using an offset spatula, flip the pancake and cook on the other side for 20 to 30 seconds, or until set. Transfer the pancake to a plate. Continue making the crêpes until you have used all the batter, taking care to add butter to the pan as needed. Stack the crêpes on the plate as you remove them from the skillet.

6. Roll the crêpes up, one or two at a time, and cut them crosswise into thin ribbons (1/8 to 1/4 inch wide). Unravel the ribbons and place them on a plate or shallow bowl. Continue to roll and cut the crêpes until you have cut them all. Cover the ribbons with plastic wrap and set aside.

To finish the soup:

7. In a saucepan, bring the broth to a boil over medium heat. Add the egg ribbons to the boiling broth and cook for just a few minutes, until the ribbons are heated through. Ladle the soup into 6 shallow rimmed bowls and sprinkle each serving with cheese. Serve immediately.

Note: The broth may be made in advance and kept in a tightly lidded container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. The egg ribbons may be made up to 3 days in advance and kept in a tightly lidded container in the refrigerator. 
 
This recipe comes from Big Night In: More than 100 Wonderful Recipes for Feeding Family and Friends Italian-Style (Chronicle Books, 2008).