Ingredients

This basic chicken soup can be introduced to your toddler in its basic form. When your toddler is ready, add extra ingredients such as corn kernels.

• 3 cups of water
• 2 raw chicken thighs, chopped into small, toddler size pieces
• 1⁄2 cup of risoni pasta (you can also use rice or barley)
• 1⁄2 cup of peas (fresh or frozen)
• Pinch of iodised salt flakes (optional)

To serve

Pecorino cheese, grated (hard Italian cheese made from sheep milk)

Directions

Place the water into a medium saucepan and place on a high heat until the water is boiling.

Reduce heat to low and gently add the chicken meat. Allow to simmer around 3–5 minutes (for a quick chicken stock, just remove the chicken and use the remaining soup as stock).

Add the risoni (or alternative) and continue simmering until the risoni is almost cooked. Taste test some risoni, because some like these softer. For softer risoni and a thicker soup, simmer the soup longer.

Once the risoni is nearly cooked, add the peas and simmer a further 2 or so minutes.

Cool before serving.

Food presentation hint

Toddlers like dipping fresh or toasted bread into soup, so put some good quality bread on the side and let your toddler dip away.

Food fun hint

Providing a fruit spoon allows toddlers to think they have a grown- up soup spoon (it will bring a smile to your toddler’s face).