Soup for Healing

Today I am sick. What I crave when I feel down is my mom's chicken noodle soup. Of course it isn't the same as having her prepare it for you but it is pretty simple to make, which is good since you don't feel well. I even have ideas to make it even easier if you, like me live by yourself and don't have mom to make it. It is so simple and delicious...no canned soup could ever compare or work as well!


Mom's Chicken Noodle Soup

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Free range chicken breasts (skin on, bone in)*
4 ribs of celery, split in half and chopped**
2 carrots, chopped**
1 clove garlic, minced
1 32 oz box low sodium free range chicken broth
4 cups water
1/2 bag thin egg noodles
salt and pepper, to taste

Heat olive oil in a soup pot and add chicken, seasoning with salt and pepper. While chicken is searing, chop celery, carrots and garlic. Make sure you sear chicken on all sides. Once seared, take chicken out and add the chopped vegetables, season with salt and pepper. Cook until celery is becoming translucent, about 5 minutes. Add chicken back in and cover with stock and water.

Raise heat to medium/high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and cover, cooking for 45 minutes.

Take chicken out of broth and let cool slightly before handling it. When you are able to touch it, hand shred the meat, discarding skin and bones (they have already done their work). Add back into soup, along with the noodles and raise heat to medium. Cook for 8 minutes until noodles are tender. Taste and add seasoning if necessary.

Set off heat and have ready for whenever you need a healing bite to eat.

*The chicken I get comes from the Dallas Farmers Market and is raised in a healthy and natural manner. In a pinch I would seek out chicken from Central Market or Whole Foods where they are careful to buy meat that is also raised appropriately. Once you have cooked and eaten natural farm raised chicken you will not turn back.

**Of course, organic and local vegetables are wonderful in this soup. In a pinch, substitute 1 1/2 cups of both celery and carrots from the grocery store salad bar. When you're feeling horrible, this will eliminate extra time standing in the kitchen.

I suggest making this soup anytime you or a loved one feels down, or even if you just can't get warm during winter time. I guarantee that this will lift your spirits no matter how bad you feel. Thanks mom for sharing the recipe...I'm sure I will use it for the rest of my life, it hasn't ever let me down so far.