Soup Royale (Aka Napkin Soup)
Description
This traditional Soup Royale, often called Napkin Soup, is a hearty Italian comfort dish. It features a rich chicken and beef broth thickened with handmade dumplings made from flour, parmesan cheese, butter, and eggs. The dumplings are uniquely cooked inside a cloth bag, then sliced into cubes and returned to the pot. The result is a velvety, savory soup with tender cheesy chunks. Perfect for cold winter evenings or special family dinners, this recipe delivers deep, satisfying flavors using simple pantry staples.Ingredients
Directions
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In a large bowl, combine the flour, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and freshly grated nutmeg.
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Lightly beat the eggs in a separate small bowl, then stir them into the dry ingredients until well blended.
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Add the cold butter pieces to the mixture and stir until incorporated, forming a thick dough.
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Wet a clean cotton cloth napkin with water and squeeze out excess moisture so it is damp but not dripping. Spread it flat on a clean surface.
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Spoon the cheese mixture into the center of the damp napkin.
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Bring up the corners of the napkin and tie them tightly together with kitchen twine to form a sealed bag.
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Place the tied napkin bag into a large soup kettle or pot containing the 10 cups of chicken and beef broth.
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Bring the broth to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2 hours.
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Carefully remove the bag from the broth using tongs and place it on a heat-safe surface.
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Allow the bag to cool until it is safe to handle, about 10-15 minutes.
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Untie the bag and carefully remove the now-solidified dumpling loaf from the napkin.
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Slice the loaf into 1/2-inch thick slices, then cut these slices into cubes.
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Reheat the broth to a gentle boil and add the cheese cubes.
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Boil gently for 10 minutes to heat the cubes through and allow them to absorb some broth.
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Serve the soup piping hot in deep bowls.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 238.5kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 9.0g14%
- Saturated Fat 5.5g28%
- Cholesterol 26.4mg9%
- Sodium 463.5mg20%
- Total Carbohydrate 24.0g8%
- Dietary Fiber 0.8g4%
- Sugars 0.4g
- Protein 13.5g27%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Use a clean, unused cotton napkin or a piece of cheesecloth specifically for cooking. Ensure it is tightly tied to prevent the mixture from leaking into the broth.
Do not skip the cooling step; the dumpling mixture needs to set slightly to be sliced cleanly.
For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken and beef broth with a robust vegetable broth.
You can add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to the broth for extra flavor.
Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove; the dumplings may soften further upon reheating.
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