This takes a recipe that already has a reputation for promoting good health (think “Grandma’s penicillin” and “nature’s antibiotic”) and makes it even healthier. It will cure what ails you, but you don’t have to be sick to enjoy it.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4

　　1 ounce medium whole-wheat egg noodles

　　2 cups low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth

　　1/2 small yellow onion, sliced thin

　　1 small carrot, sliced thin on the diagonal

　　1 celery stalk, sliced thin on the diagonal

　　3/4 cup shredded skinless breast meat from a rotisserie or roast chicken

　　Salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

　　1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

　　

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to the package directions, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set aside.

　　

Step 2

While the noodles are cooking, combine the chicken broth, onion, carrots, and celery in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 12 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Add the cooked noodles and the chicken to the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls, sprinkle with the cheese and parsley, and serve.

　　

nutrition information

Step 4

Fat: 14g (before), 2.4g (after)

　　

Step 5

Calories: 430 (before), 101 (after)

　　

Step 6

Protein: 12g

　　

Step 7

Carbohydrates: 10g

　　

Step 8

Cholesterol: 23mg

　　

Step 9

Fiber: 2g

　　

Step 10

Sodium: 675mg

　　Now Eat This by Rocco DiSpirito. Copyright © 2010 by Rocco DiSpirito. Published by Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Hailed as the "Leading Chef of his Generation" by Gourmet magazine, Rocco DiSpirito received the James Beard Award for his first cookbook, Flavor. He went on to author Rocco's Italian-American (2004), Rocco's Five Minute Flavor (2005), Rocco's Real-Life Recipes (2007), and Rocco Gets Real (2009). DiSpirito also starred in the Food Network series Melting Pot, the NBC hit reality series The Restaurant, and the A&E series Rocco Gets Real.