If you're looking for a new taste, this recipe has never been written down before this. On a cold day this heavy cream soup will warm and fill you very nicely. From my mother-in-law to my grandchildren, everyone tells me they really like it, either with chicken or pork. The most difficult part of preparation is pealing the whole garlic clove. All of the ingredients are readily available with the possible exception of a spicey Polish Sausage known as Linguica. It is generally only found in New England, you could just leave it out or subsitute one of your favorite types, although I would not use any that include beer, as I doubt it would blend well with the heavy cream.

The vegetables....I prefer using fresh vegetables whenever possible, but as this is a cold weather dish that is generally not possible. Frozen broccoli florets with small 1/4 inch thick stems can be left whole, thicker stems should be chopped coarsely. Frozen mini carrots can be julienned to about an 1/8 square or sliced about the same thickness. Always remember to use separate cutting boards and knives for meats and vegetables, or prep the meats last to prevent cross contamination.

easily serves 2 adults and 2 children

Preparation time, about 2 hrs. ( less if you use granulated instead of fresh garlic.)

cooking time approx 1/2 hr.

Ingredients...........

1 lb mini pasta shells

3/4 - 1 cup of bacon chopped to 1/8 inch cubes      

1 cup ( about 1/3 - 1/4 of a coil ) Linguica, skinned, chopped to 1/8 inch cubes

1 cup ( about 1/3 - 1/4 of a coil ) Kielbasa, skinned, chopped to 1/8 inch cubes

1 & 1/2 Lb of chicken or pork with all fat removed, cut into 3/4 inch cubes

1 small finger of fresh ginger finely diced.....about 2 & 1/2 tlbsp

1 whole garlic clove, finely diced.......about 5 tlbsp

14 - 16 mini carrots julienned or sliced abou 1/8 inch .....about 1 cup

1 cup of coarsely chopped celery

1/2 cup of coarsely chopped broccoli stems

1/2 cup of small broccoli florets

3 - 4 tlbsp coarsely chopped spinach

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 cup Parmasan/ Romano grated cheese

2 - 2 &1/2 pints heavy cream

1- 2 tlbsp olive oil

1tlbsp Italian seasoning

2 tlbsp Original Mrs. Dash

2 tsp cilantro

2 tsp  tarragon

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp dill

3 - 4 tlbsp parsely

Grated Mozzarella cheese ( as a topping )

dash of paprika

( ...... 3 tlbsp of granulated garlic can be substituted for fresh.....)

I use small 1cup bowls & plastic wrap when preping the ingredients, I 've also used inexpensive baggies.

The pasta should be drained ready to add right after the Parmarsan/Romano cheese. If you start the water for the pasta about the same time as you begin cooking the mixture, it should be ready in time. In boiling water mini shells take about 8 - 10 minutes to cook.

In a 6 quart, deep pan on mid to high heat coat the bottom with the olive oil, when hot, add the bacon, stirring often with a large metal spoon to prevent sticking. As it begins to brown add the sausages. As they brown, add the chicken or pork, ginger, garlic, carrots, and celery, and all the spices, cook and stir about 4 - 5 minutes until the chicken or pork turns white. Then add the broccoli, onion and spinach, cook and stir 2 - 3 minutes. At this point spread the mixture to the outside of the pan and begin adding the cream slowly...about half a pint to start....allow the cream to heat up to the temperature of the mixture.....slowly  ( it should take about 3 - 4 minutes to add each pint of cream ) add the rest of the first pint of cream and stir in the separated mixture. It should be hot and steamy before slowly adding the second pint of cream. Stir and allow to heat several minutes, then stir in  the Parmasan/ Romano then add the pasta, stir and allow to heat 2 - 4 minutes then shut of heat. Cover while eating to maintain temperature.

Serve in soup bowls topped with a tablespoon or two of Mozzarela cheese and a dash of Paprika and salt  & pepper to taste.

Just reading this it may seem complicated but, it really isn't......heat, add, stir, wait, add, stir, wait...most of the cooking time you will be stirring and waiting.

Add a little whole milk to re-heat any leftovers.