Stracciatelli

1 egg
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons soft bread crumbs
2 cups chicken stock or broth
Salt and white pepper to taste
Basil, parsley, or chives, for garnish
Parmesan cheese

Bring the stock to simmer in a saucepan. Then, in a separate bowl, beat the egg with a fork and continue beating as you add the cheese and bread crumbs. When they are well beaten, add 1/2 cup of the hot stock.

Bring the remaining stock to nearly a boil, scrape in the egg mixture, and whisk it with a fork for 3 or 4 minutes. When you stop beating and let the soup come just barely to a boil. It will break into "rags," hence the name.

Serve immediately, with an extra sprinkling of Parmesan, topped by garnish of your choice.

Makes 2 servings.