Soup

Soup is a favorite of mine. I like to get creative and try different herbs and spices, toss in leftovers, add cans of this and that. I save the turkey carcass and make soup from it every day after Thanksgiving. I make soup from leftover chicken, beef drippings, whatever I can find. Give me bones, I'll make soup.

Flu-Busting Chicken Soup

When spring is colder than it should be a big pot of chicken soup helps everyone feel better, whether you’re in the early stages of catching cold or just need warming up!

Ingredients:

One chicken, whole or cut in pieces

2 fresh jalapeno peppers

garlic cloves

1 tablespoon salt

2 onions, peeled and diced

4 carrots, peeled and chopped

4 stalks celery, chopped, reserve the leaves for stock

chopped garlic

herbs and seasonings to taste: parsley, tarragon, basil, oregano, sage, chopped garlic

4 cups canned crushed tomatoes

1 cup uncooked rice or barley

Directions:

Cover chicken with water in a large stock pot. Add celery leaves, unchopped, the whole jalapeno peppers, 3 or 4 garlic cloves, and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for an hour, or until chicken is cooked through but not falling off the bone.

Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.  Remove chicken, garlic cloves and celery leaves to a large bowl. Skim fat off top of chicken stock.

Take meat off bones and save. Chop remaining vegetables and add to stock. With a spoon, break up the softened jalapeno peppers. Bring soup to a boil and simmer until carrots are tender, about an hour. Add uncooked rice and simmer another thirty minutes. Add chicken and heat through.

Makes a large pot that isn’t as spicy as one might think, considering the jalapenos. If you want less kick to it, use only one but remember it’s the peppers that contribute to its healing qualities.