Q: I would enjoy having the recipe for the chicken noodle soup from The Pasta House Co.

— Barbara Fishman, Ballwin

A: Joe Fresta liked his Italian grandmother's chicken noodle soup so much, he put it on the menu at Pasta House, the restaurant chain he co-founded. That means he and the rest of us can slurp on the buttery chicken noodle soup once or twice a week.

The soup is so simple that using good ingredients is important. Executive Chef Pete Minney says that Pasta House cooks start with homemade chicken stock. Nonna Fresta would approve.

Special Request is written by Kirkwood resident Alanna Kellogg, author of the online recipe column KitchenParade.com and 'veggie evangelist' at the food blog about vegetables, A Veggie Venture.