February 24, 2005

Chicken Soup For The...

Well okay, just chicken noodle soup. It's February and everybody in my family is either sick, just gotten over being sick, or is about to get sick. Actually, I think it is all three for some of us. So I've been making a lot of chicken noodle soup. Sure, I could crank open a can of Campbell's finest, but I just can't eat that stuff any more.

When I was little, I thought that that was how soup came. I didn't know ordinary people could actually make soup. I was fine with some Campbell's condensed soup. Then I discovered Progresso soups and they were better, but later I learned to make my own soups, and now I can't go back. I never should have learned to cook. It really cuts down or your ability to enjoy prepackaged convenience foods.

But back to soup. Here's the recipe I use for making chicken noodle soup. It freezes well, so when I have leftovers, I save them for times when we're too sick to cook. It's as easy as canned soup then only about a million times better.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Shredded chicken from 2 chicken breasts
2 quarts chicken stock (I try to keep homemade stock in the freezer, but when I'm out The Washington Post recommends College Inn Chicken Broth. It's pretty good.)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 stalks celery, medium-diced
4 carrots, medium-diced
2 cups wide egg noodles (or if you are like my dad who doesn't like wide egg noodles, you may use the skinny ones)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (I prefer flat leaf, but curly works)

Bring chicken broth and pepper to a boil in a large pot. Add vegetables and noodles. Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, until the noodles are cooked. Add the shredded chicken and parsley. Heat, taste for seasonings and serve.

Comments

Thanks for the chicken soup recipe. It sounds quite yummy & easy to make.

P.S. There was nothing curmudgeony about it. Doesn't that go against your image!

Posted by: cube at February 25, 2005 12:41 PM

Shhh...don't tell anyone, but I'm not actually all that curmudgeonly. Technically my husband is the curmudgeonly one, since he started this blog, but since I seized the reigns of ultimate power, I get to be the chief grump around here, even if I'm not all that grumpy.

Posted by: Jordana at February 25, 2005 12:51 PM

Yum, yum, yum!

The noodles available here get soggy and mushy quickly. When I make any kind of noodle soup, I make the stock/meat/veggies first, and then boil up the noodles and serve the soup over them--like gumbo over rice.

Btw, love the daffodils. *grin*

Posted by: TulipGirl at February 26, 2005 04:31 AM

Sounds really warm and yummy!

I hope you guys start feeling better soon! Same sad, sick story for us over here..... But I haven't made the soup yet. I guess that's my next job!

Posted by: angie at February 26, 2005 08:45 PM

Mmmmmm, it is gray and unpleasant today, and I wish I had some of your soup. Sadly, the very idea of buying vegetables and chopping them myself is beyond my comprehension.

Posted by: Kristin at February 28, 2005 01:46 PM

Kristin, if you can paint a kitchen and build a dollhouse, you are more than capable of cutting up some carrots and celery. I have faith in you.

Posted by: Jordana at February 28, 2005 02:18 PM

Refuah shelmah (complete recovery)to all those who are sick.
The soup sounds delicious! You must have been reading my mind. I had this chicken soup recipe floating contest going on in my mind!

Posted by: Rachel Ann at March 1, 2005 06:21 AM