Foodie Blogroll

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Chicken Noodle Soup

I can't believe it took me this long to get this post up, I've been working on it for some time! Whew! At least it's still soup season!

Over the two weeks had off from work/school I wasn't feeling my best, I had allergies that turned into laryngitis and sinus infection, then the ENT said it was migraines instead of sinus headaches that I suffer from. Anyway I not only baked, but made a lot of comfort food too. I can't believe this is the first time I made Chicken Noodle Soup, and it sure won't be the last. In true form of my style of cooking I really didn't measure anything, just eyeballed it, and the nice thing about making your own soup is you can use what you like...I like the thick egg noodles, and I like the vegetables in a smaller dice, and plenty of herbs (they are full of nutrients too).


Next time I'll use my dad's recipe and make my own noodles, but this turned out pretty good. I used rosemary instead of thyme because that's what I had and I really don't care much for thyme.

Chicken Stock:
1 whole free-range chicken (about 3 1/2 pounds), rinsed, giblets discarded
2 carrots, cut in large chunks
3 celery stalks, cut in large chunks, (leaves included)
1 large white onions, quartered
4 cloves of garlic
3 sprigs of fresh rosemary (you could use thyme)
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

Place the chicken and vegetables in a large stockpot over medium heat. Pour in cold water to cover (about 3 quarts) don't use too much. Toss in the thyme, bay leaves, and peppercorns, when it comes to a boil lower the heat to a simmer for about 1 hour, until the chicken is done. Carefully remove the chicken and set aside to cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones; hand-shred the meat. Strain the stock through a fine sieve.

For the soup:
shredded cooked chicken (from above)
2 carrots, chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 cloves of garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
1 bay leaf
1 cup mushrooms sliced (optional, I didn't use them this time)
2 quarts stock (from above)
8 oz or 1 bag egg noodles (depends how noodlely you like it)
1 teaspoon chives, tarragon, Turkish oregano, chervil (since I didn't have any parsley)
or
1 teaspoon Parisien Bonne Herbes
sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
fresh parsley chopped and added near the end right before serving.

Heat oil in soup pot and add chopped celery, carrots, shallot and garlic until tender, add herbs. Pour in strained stock and bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer for 15 minutes. Add noodles, and chicken gently cook for 15 minute or until noodles are tender. Adjust the liquid if needed. Salt and pepper and if using fresh parsley add now and remove bay leaf before serving.

It made plenty for a tasty meal and enough left over for the next day or to freeze. You can see all the dried herbs, which are healthy too.

Good to the last drop, and just what the doctor ordered. I only wish I made it sooner. Usually I don't like to make soup because of the large amount it makes, but I now have a freezer full of different soups I can pull out when I want a nice bowl of comfort. I'm feeling better now, and am still wanting a bowl of this!

Living in Florida we get to see many different kinds of birds as they migrate north or south. One morning this is what woke me up early in the morning...a whole flock of some sort of black bird. They all flew around and landed to this one oak tree in our neighbor's yard. When they landed it sounded like we were being bombarded with acorns...with the squawking of the birds and the pelting sound of acorns dropping, you wouldn't believe how loud it was.

Then they all flew of to another tree, then back again...then off again. Good bye...see you later!

44 comments:

  1. I know the reason for loving a good chicken soup is not the noodles but I love loads of noodles and this bowl has just that. So tempting.

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  2. You are so right Lindsey! It is the soup season, and I love, love your chicken noodle soup with all those delicious herbs. I also don't care too much for thyme...just don't like it in my chicken soup, but for rosemary yes!
    I do like fresh thyme in bake chicken, though!

    Your soup is so satisfying, I could eat it every day!
    As for those black birds...I don't care too much for them, we get a lot of them too. They remind me of that "Birds" movie from the sixties that I've seen so many times!

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  3. This sounds delicious and perfect for the cold weather! Hope you're feeling better!

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  4. Mmmm this really does sound good, on the list for next week. Hope that you are feeling better now. I used to get migraines so I now how you must have felt. I appear to have out grown them though (fingers crossed) I have not had one now for years. Take care Diane

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  5. It is soooo cold here, this soup would be perfect!

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  6. Bizzy - I know I couldn't resist all the noodles, it has a lot of chicken too :)

    Elisabeth - I am lucky to have lots of rosemary shrubs around my yard...love it with chicken too. And it sure did remind me of the movie The Birds.

    Bianca - thank you, I'm feeling better and back at work in the school clinic with all the sick kids :)

    Diane - Thanks, yes I'm feeling better, and really haven't had a headache of had to take a Sudafed to relieve the pressure. So good you don't suffer with them any more.

    Pam - We are supposed to get a cold front coming through and we will be in the mid 60s...brrr...

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  7. Your homemade chicken stock is wonderful! I make homemade dashi stock, but don't really spend time to make chicken stock (I rely on Trader Joe's stock... =P ). This must be so good. When I make dashi from scratch, it tastes so good, so I can totally see this is wonderful soup! Arh I'm so envious you are eating this soup. ;-)

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  8. oooh this soup looks absolutely perfect!

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  9. Nothing compares to a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup! It's good for whatever ails you - I bet this made you feel instantly better!

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  10. Chicken noodle soup is what we call "jewish Penicillin" It has a way of making us feel better, the warmth and soul of the soup.

    The beauty about soup is that "eyeballing the ingredients" is the best way to make it. A good soulful soup is about using what you have on hand, and tweaking it till you get it the way you like-

    Cheers.
    Velva

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  11. lovely soup I need a bowl sore throat so sorry you have been unwell my friend hugs

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  12. Hope you are feeling better now.

    I make chicken soup quite often then dunk in noodles or pasta.

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  13. well done! although i see that this is something different to our malaysian style of chicken noodles, it does look and sound nice to me and the soup must be so tasty with th eingredients that you put in here. Hope you are getting better now.

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  14. That is one hearty soup that I will be making for sure; looks so good and comforting. That is the way I cook...a bit of this and that.
    Rita

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  15. Looks awesome with veggies and good stock!

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  16. This is my favorite thing in the whole world. I can slurp this down when it's 90 degrees (or 15 degrees like today). And I am also a noodle junkie. You've convinced me to get out the stock pot.

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  17. That's a lot of birds!

    Homemade chicken noodle soup always makes me feel better... it looks delicious.

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  18. There's nothing more comforting than chicken noodle soup whether you are ill or well. For me, it's like being wrapped in my mother's arms!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  19. I'm in coastal North Carolina and have been suffering with allergies/sinus problems since the start of the new year. I could really go for some homemade chicken soup, your photos look wonderful!

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  20. Being sick is the worst! I'm so glad you're feeling better, though! If there's anything that could have cured you it's this soup...sounds like delicious comfort!

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  21. looks delicious & comforting! just what you need when you're sick.

    glad you're feeling better :)

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  22. Hi Lindsey-I'm back again to let you know that I have an award waiting for you to claim, and pay forward to whoever you would like to give it to. Congratulations, well deserved!
    Hugs,

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  23. I'm glad your feeling better Lindsey :) Soups really are the best comfort foods when the weather gets chilly. I have not made chicken noodle soup in a long time, but my family does love it. I love the herb mix you used hear, must have been a delightfully fragrant soup :)

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  24. Soup really is feel good food. Migraines...not good!

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  25. We had the chicken noodle soup tonight and it was delicious. I did add the mushrooms, and the only other change I made was to the stock which I liquidised, rather than strained it. I did not want to waste the vegetables in it! Thanks Diane

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  26. So sorry you weren't feeling well! This is definitely the magic touch!

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  27. So comforting and delicious! A perfect Winter dish.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  28. I made a big pot of chicken soup yesterday to chase off all of the icks hanging around our house, too. It always makes me feel better...if only for a while. Yours sounds delicious. I hope you're feeling much better =)

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  29. Thank you everyone I am feeling much better, no headaches, but if you could hear me talk :)

    Elisabeth, thanks for the award I'll head on over.

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  30. that looks really good, and although i do love handmade noodles, im sure this was delicious all the same! good to hear you're feeling better(:

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  31. That soup looks comforting and delicious,Lyndsey!Perfect for winter!

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  32. Hi Lyndsey! We are practically neighbors . . . I live in Tampa :)

    Glad you are feeling better . . . I've had a case of sinus problems lately too. Chicken Soup is perfect and your recipe sounds delicious. Like banana bread, you can never have enough chicken soup recipes!

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  33. I always wanted to try this kind of noodle soup. Hope my boy will like it. He's as picky as his dad. Yikes!
    Kristy

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  34. The chicken soup looks so comforting. Would love a big bowl of this.

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  35. Funny how chicken noodle soup is considered a cure in so many cultures :) I hope you are feeling better Lyndsey!

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  36. That looks like such a great soup. I have been making a ton of soup lately as the FL weather isn't all warm! We in Jax have been a bit nippy lately.

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  37. This will definitely hit the spot. The weather begs for a bowl of your chicken soup... comforting and soothing....

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  38. Dear Lyndsey, I love soup. It is comforting, healthy and delicious. Your chicken soup I bet hit the spot!! I am sure it did. I love to just make soup with all that is left in the refrig.. I also like that you love your herbs and spice. I do too. I hope that you are feeling better. Best wishes and feel better. Blessings, Catherine xo

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  39. Hope you're feeling better Lyndsey. I recommend more of this delicious soup.
    Sam

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  40. Your chicken soup looks so warm and inviting. I can do with a bowl for breakfast as it is freezing here right now. Glad to hear you are feeling much better. Lots of people getting sick including my youngest son and hubby. They are better now.

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  41. This is my family's favorite soup. Your version is simply mouth watering, Lyndsey. We love it thick with veggies and chicken, just the way you made it.

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  42. Chicken soup always makes me feel better. Love how yours is loaded.

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  43. Oops ... my first comment disappeared! Let's hope this doesn't turn up twice.
    As I was saying ....
    Anytime's a good time for chicken soup ... that's what my husband says. And we had some last night. We also love our soups chunky and full of stuff ... like this one!

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