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Sunday, August 21, 2011

Chicken Soup for my Jewish Soul

With all the stress of work and the rainly weather and the 10 km treck through Vaughan Mills Mall, I'm getting a bit sniffly, sore and my soul and body feels like it needs some TLC. I loaded up on vitamin C, and decided to raid my fridge for chicken soup fixings.

Apparently the trick to good chicken stock is browning and sauteeing. Normally I just put the chicken, veggies, and water in there and boil it for several hours, but this one went faster and tasted better. First I browned the chicken in the stockpot in a little vegetable oil then I threw in an onion (skin on), some carrots, and celery. As that all came together I threw in some Kosher salt and black pepper and of coarse water.

I only simmered it for about a couple of hours.  While all that goodness was taking place I decided to steal the opportunity to hide away in the hot soapy suds of a rosemary infused bubble bath while I listened to Strauss wafting in from the other room. Ahhhhh.....
Although it was relaxing, my mind was soley on the soup waiting for me. I knew I couldn’t really relax until I delved in the hot salty liquid.
For the soup itself, I wanted it to be one of those good immune-boosting soups, the kind that practically has medicinal value. So I fished out the chicken vegetables and strained the stock and then I started over in a new pot. It was so rich and “chickeny”.


I grabbed my oversized latte mug and ladled in the broth. The rich fragrant steam made my mouth water in eager anticipation. To top off soup I sprinkled in what I think is the “piece de resistance “, Omer’s Mini Croutons”. You know the ones, the tiny square shaped pillows of chicken goodness that always remains a tad bit crunchy no matter how long you leave it in your soup.

As made my way to the family room, wrapped a big thick blanket over me and as I carelessly slurped
my golden treasure, I began to feel my tired aching muscles relax, my body sank deeper in the couch and my soul took a deep breath and thanked me.

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