The season is here, or at the very least on the way. I speak of course of the most dreaded and feared season of all… FLU SEASON. Modern medicine is a wonderful thing, but to battle flu and other less renowned viruses, homemade chicken noodle soup is a must.
I believe in the healing, or at least therapeutic, properties of fruits and vegetables. My “Chicken Soup for the Plagued Soul” is a common meal in the winter type months. So grab a chicken, preferably whole, and get started.
I prefer a whole chicken and I have little reason to back up. The fat of the skin adding flavor could be part of the reason, or it could be I’m just crazy, whichever reason you decide is ok with me. Next add any and every vegetable you have to the broth. I prefer white onion over yellow because if the mere smell of the onion almost blinds me, I can only imagine what it tis doing to little bastards replicating unchecked in my body. Not today a H1N1, or whatever your current alias is.
After my vision clears enough to continue using a knife, I add many, many, many cloves of garlic. At least vampires will leave you be for a bit. I also add chopped carrots. Not those weird baby ones that taste like cardboard and turn white for no reason. Those things are not natural. I also add 2 to 3 stalks of celery. That’s the list of the essential ingredients. Bell peppers, spinach, potatoes, mushrooms, literally anything you have can be added to the broth while the chicken cooks. I also add a generous amount of oregano, basil, salt and pepper.This is how you sneak vitamins into your family’s food. Shhhhhh.
After the chicken and the veggies have cooked for about 1.5 to 2 hours, remove and debone the chicken. Strain the broth to remove any evidence of healthy food. If you have a family that doesn’t convulse at the sight or idea of vegetables, feel free to leave them in the soup. KEEP THE BROTH!!! THIS IS THE GOODNESS!!!
Add the chicken, and any veggies you want back to the pot. Next I add English peas. Totally optional, but it adds a distinct flavor. Add them, don’t add them, we are just talking about life or death of your family… so whatever. Let the peas cook with the chicken and broth for about 20 minutes.
The last step, also optional, is to add egg noodles. I add 2 to 3 hand fulls, but to those that are less caveman, I would say around 2 cups. Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.
Onion and garlic have know anti-inflammatory properties. The warm broth will help soothe throats and help ease stuffy noses. And if all that turns out to be baloney, then knowing a meal was made especially for you to make you feel better is like an edible hug. Does that sound weird? Anyway, try it. It’s pretty great.
