Chicken Soup

Nothing says love like taking care of someone.

Valentines Day just happens to occur in the middle of winter and flu season. Nothing (according to my mother) is better for the flu than Chicken Soup. So, since you love to take care of your significant other, if that individual happens to be sick this time of year  -you can make them this Chicken Soup to show your love!!

Growing up my mom always made the best Chicken Soup (especially at Passover with her Matzo Balls). After discussing her soup with her and adapting it to my own needs – I have developed this Chicken Soup! Buy your chicken on sale, make the soup (& freeze it if needed) to get the most bang for your buck. Get Well Soon…

Chicken Soup

• 1 chicken, rinsed and innards removed
• 1 Medium onion, chopped
• 1 Tbsp. Butter
• 1 C. Celery, chopped
• 1 C. Sliced carrot
• [Chicken bouillon]
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

To make the chicken stock: place the entire chicken in a large pot.  Pour enough water in the pot to cover the chicken entirely.  Bring the water (with a stalk or two of celery, an quartered onion, and garlic) to a boil, then turn down to low heat (with the top cracked to avoid spillage).  Continue to cook your chicken for 2 – 4 hours.  When your chicken is poked and starts to fall apart on its own, you know it is done.

Strain your broth.  Set the cooked chicken aside to cool.  Once cooled, remove meat from the chicken and pull it apart – if you like chopped chicken you should just cook it until done instead of until “pullable”.  Set aside.

Heat butter in a large pot.  Add the onions and cook until softened.  Add the chopped celery, sliced carrots and onion to the pot.  Cook for 3-4 minutes.

Pour your strained broth into the pot with the veggies.  At this point you will want to taste your broth.  Depending on how long you cooked your chicken and how strong of a chicken flavor you like for your soup, you may want to flavor the broth by adding some chicken bouillon. Bring the veggies and broth to a low boil.  Continue cooking the veggies for about 5 minutes.  *NOTE – if you want to Make Chicken Noodle Soup, this is when you add your noodles and boil until pasta is done*

Add your chicken – the amount is up to you and how much chicken you want in here. *Note – for Matzo Ball Soup this is where you add these (I make them in my chicken soup, but another pot works just as well too… follow the directions on the box of Matzo Ball Mix OR on the Matzo Meal Package)

One Year Ago – 2011’s Wing-Off

And I leave you with this, Today’s Question of the Day… what is your favorite way to show your love with food?