Chicken soup really does help in healing from colds. Among other properties, its abundance of the amino acid cysteine clears congestion. When a kid, I would be given canned chicken soup consisting of soggy noodles, tiny pieces of rehydrated chicken, and a broth spiked with MSG. I was fairly content with fare like this until my early twenties when a Jewish boyfriend taught me how to make his aunt's hallowed version.
This recipe which has evolved through time is a culinary workhorse as I am able to make several different meals from its broth, carrots, and meat--a hearty chicken soup, velouté de carottes, and chicken pot pie. As both The Calm One and I had colds recently, it was a boon to have several quarts of the soup in our freezer.
First the stock is made by barely covering two medium-sized chickens with water--if you can find a capon then both the soup and chicken pot pie will be even better. While the water is coming to the boil, add 4 large, peeled, whole carrots, 3-4 medium onions, a few stalks of celery or a smaller amount of lovage, a few sage leaves, a small handful of peppercorns, one or two bay leaves, a couple sprigs of thyme, and several sprigs of parsley. Do not add salt now because it may be necessary to reduce the broth, and it would then become too salty. It is easier to skim off the foam before adding the herbs.
After an hour, check to see if the drumsticks move easily, but not so freely that they fall off the joint. The aim is not to overcook the breast meat as nothing is more disappointing than dry chicken. Carefully remove each chicken onto a platter by inserting a large wooden spoon in its cavity while supporting its bottom with another wooden spoon. Remove the carrots which will have soaked up the broth beautifully and will be soft and flavoursome. Though crisp veggies are often regarded as desirable, sometimes savoury succulence wins as in this case.
Let the chickens cool enough for handling and bone them completely, putting everything, that is, the skin and bones, back into the stockpot while reserving the meat. Simmer for another four hours to extract all the goodness.
Dayo stays in his box on his end of the long food-preparation table as I trained him as a kitten when cats are somewhat receptive to being told what to do. He did make interesting faces though when I boned the chickens!
After removing as much of the bones and skin I can with a slotted spoon, the cooled stock is then strained through a mesh strainer. I reserve about two quarts of stock and half the meat for the chicken soup. Skim any fat off the surface of the broth. Pour the broth into a suitable sized pot and add a cup of brown rice, simmering for about twenty minutes until the rice is very tender. Meanwhile, chop the carrots and the chicken.
When the rice is soft, add the chopped carrots and chicken. Voila: delectable chicken soup with a rich broth, chicken and carrot chunks, and brown rice!
When I first served this to my mum-in-law, she said I put too many solid bits into her soup-plate as she is used to thin soups served as a first course. When I told her that is all she is going to eat, she then guided the ladle of solid bits I was removing from her bowl back into it! Everybody at the table had a good chuckle.
Another quart of the broth is reserved for velouté de carottes.
The remaining half quart and the rest of the chicken is reserved for a pot pie.
Feisal Kamil is a Malaysian friend I had the good fortune to meet on G+. He recently came across a book that reminded him of me without knowing that said book is a classic often gifted to gardeners: The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. Being the affectionate and generous person he is, he sent it off to me with a note apologising for it being second hand. I countered his apology with my insisting its aged cream pages coupled with an enticing old-book smell only increased his gift's charm.
It is a book impossible to review in the ordinary manner as one only can experience it personally in all its enchanting uniqueness. Edith Holden supplemented her neat, cautious calligraphy with her own watercolour illustrations of flowers, birds, and trees she saw on her country walks.
Her book, as far as I can see, only makes sense if it is read like a diary which means since it came into my life in November I started my reading at that point. Her November entry has this poem by Burns:
Sing on sweet thrush, upon the leafless bough,
Sing on sweet bird, I listen to thy strain,
And aged Winter, mid his early reign,
At thy blythe carol, clears his furrowed brow.
Her own 1906 observations made in England during November overlap with those I am experiencing presently in France: foraging for mushrooms, noting plants gone to seed--cow-parsnip and dock for her, fennel and broccoli for me--and her describing...the scanty foliage on the half bare Oak trees which brings to mind I soon will be going to the small Oak copse nearby to bag up all those precious leaves to make the superlative treat for any garden, leaf mould.
There are still a few flowers brightening up our garden.
But mostly, there are fallen leaves.
Soon there will be sedge after sedge of loudly honking cranes flying overhead with their necks gracefully outstretched as they wend their way to North Africa. Their migration heralds the beginning of our cold but short winter and a chance for Dayo to transfix his gaze at the grey sky.
À la prochaine!
RELATED POSTS
Chicken Pot Pie
This recipe which has evolved through time is a culinary workhorse as I am able to make several different meals from its broth, carrots, and meat--a hearty chicken soup, velouté de carottes, and chicken pot pie. As both The Calm One and I had colds recently, it was a boon to have several quarts of the soup in our freezer.
First the stock is made by barely covering two medium-sized chickens with water--if you can find a capon then both the soup and chicken pot pie will be even better. While the water is coming to the boil, add 4 large, peeled, whole carrots, 3-4 medium onions, a few stalks of celery or a smaller amount of lovage, a few sage leaves, a small handful of peppercorns, one or two bay leaves, a couple sprigs of thyme, and several sprigs of parsley. Do not add salt now because it may be necessary to reduce the broth, and it would then become too salty. It is easier to skim off the foam before adding the herbs.
 |
| I skim off most of the foam without becoming obsessive about it |
After an hour, check to see if the drumsticks move easily, but not so freely that they fall off the joint. The aim is not to overcook the breast meat as nothing is more disappointing than dry chicken. Carefully remove each chicken onto a platter by inserting a large wooden spoon in its cavity while supporting its bottom with another wooden spoon. Remove the carrots which will have soaked up the broth beautifully and will be soft and flavoursome. Though crisp veggies are often regarded as desirable, sometimes savoury succulence wins as in this case.
Let the chickens cool enough for handling and bone them completely, putting everything, that is, the skin and bones, back into the stockpot while reserving the meat. Simmer for another four hours to extract all the goodness.
Dayo stays in his box on his end of the long food-preparation table as I trained him as a kitten when cats are somewhat receptive to being told what to do. He did make interesting faces though when I boned the chickens!
After removing as much of the bones and skin I can with a slotted spoon, the cooled stock is then strained through a mesh strainer. I reserve about two quarts of stock and half the meat for the chicken soup. Skim any fat off the surface of the broth. Pour the broth into a suitable sized pot and add a cup of brown rice, simmering for about twenty minutes until the rice is very tender. Meanwhile, chop the carrots and the chicken.
When the rice is soft, add the chopped carrots and chicken. Voila: delectable chicken soup with a rich broth, chicken and carrot chunks, and brown rice!
When I first served this to my mum-in-law, she said I put too many solid bits into her soup-plate as she is used to thin soups served as a first course. When I told her that is all she is going to eat, she then guided the ladle of solid bits I was removing from her bowl back into it! Everybody at the table had a good chuckle.
The remaining half quart and the rest of the chicken is reserved for a pot pie.
 |
| Look for the recipe soon! |
Feisal Kamil is a Malaysian friend I had the good fortune to meet on G+. He recently came across a book that reminded him of me without knowing that said book is a classic often gifted to gardeners: The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. Being the affectionate and generous person he is, he sent it off to me with a note apologising for it being second hand. I countered his apology with my insisting its aged cream pages coupled with an enticing old-book smell only increased his gift's charm.
It is a book impossible to review in the ordinary manner as one only can experience it personally in all its enchanting uniqueness. Edith Holden supplemented her neat, cautious calligraphy with her own watercolour illustrations of flowers, birds, and trees she saw on her country walks.
Her book, as far as I can see, only makes sense if it is read like a diary which means since it came into my life in November I started my reading at that point. Her November entry has this poem by Burns:
Sing on sweet thrush, upon the leafless bough,
Sing on sweet bird, I listen to thy strain,
And aged Winter, mid his early reign,
At thy blythe carol, clears his furrowed brow.
Her own 1906 observations made in England during November overlap with those I am experiencing presently in France: foraging for mushrooms, noting plants gone to seed--cow-parsnip and dock for her, fennel and broccoli for me--and her describing...the scanty foliage on the half bare Oak trees which brings to mind I soon will be going to the small Oak copse nearby to bag up all those precious leaves to make the superlative treat for any garden, leaf mould.
There are still a few flowers brightening up our garden.
 |
| Japanese anemones |
 |
| Sweet Alyssum |
 |
| The lavender are still putting out a bud here and there |
But mostly, there are fallen leaves.
 |
| Rose of Sharon beginning its dormancy |
Soon there will be sedge after sedge of loudly honking cranes flying overhead with their necks gracefully outstretched as they wend their way to North Africa. Their migration heralds the beginning of our cold but short winter and a chance for Dayo to transfix his gaze at the grey sky.
À la prochaine!
RELATED POSTS
Chicken Pot Pie
You are our Edith Holden, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteA truly sweet thing to say which I appreciate so much, Rajini!
DeleteMmm, more soup for me to try.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is such a funny expression on Dayo's face! How painful to watch you prepare chicken. Did he get any tit-bits for being a good cat?
The chicken soup is low in calories also, Grania! You could use the extra broth for a thinner soup or even better for egg drop soup instead of making the high caloric pot pie and veloute--just beat an egg and while pouring it into the simmering broth, stir it rapidly with a fork to shred it. It's delish!
DeleteOh yes, Dayo got some chicken but in order to support better his fragile resolve, he ate it in his own food dish which is on the floor. :-)
Chicken soup is a staple in my winter kitchen too. I also add garlic, celery and ginger and loads of black pepper and herbs. Keeping it in the freezer is a great idea, for when the cook gets sick!
ReplyDeleteExactly, Barbara! I love your additions. Sometimes I spike up my serving with those as the Calm One prefers a more sedate bowl of soup. :-)
DeleteI started to wonder if you were taking a break from your weekly posts, so I came directly to your blog and discovered that you were not. I do not seem to be receiving your weekly updates through the subscription lately.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I am thrilled to have checked tonight as I have been thinking about making chicken soup with the arrival of winter of Tokyo and I wanted a variation on what I've been doing over the years and this looks absolutely scrumptious. I am going to try and make this after the Houses for Light model is finished!
Hi Arthur! What a nice warming celebratory meal that would be after your completing the Houses for Light model. If you want I can tag you at G+ when a post goes out.
DeleteHi Michelle. Yes, please tag me at G+. I'll try and resubscribe as well!
Delete