Here we are in the beginning of April, and I swear, the flu and cold season is at IT'S PEAK right now. The bugs have decided to become superbugs and everything is dragging on and on, including a terrible cough that my daughter has had for the past two weeks, which reached a final, awful climax yesterday. Hence me not posting on facebook the Costco deals of the week.
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| Photo Courtesy of: Google |
Coming from a pretty traditional family background, I find that when it comes to a cold, or just being sick in general, there is usually a barrage of (ahem) "medicine" that is offered to you by your mother, grandmother, aunts, the old lady at church...you get the idea. It doesn't involve Windex (if you've seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you'll know what I'm referring to.. if not then you NEED to go see this movie!) but it does involve a giant pot of good old fashioned chicken soup. There are other traditional remedies that are suggested to alleviate colds and flus, (some involving honey and garlic - unless that is a chicken wing flavour, I'll stay away, thanks) but this tried and true chicken soup is my go-to and cure-all for when my family gets sick (alongside trusty Tylenol and Advil). My husband came down with a pretty nasty flu a few months back, and this helped keep him hydrated, helped him sleep and (according to him) helped him get back on his feet faster. My son drinks this soup as a meal - he thinks it's amazing (he's 2, so clearly a gourmand at this age). My daughter, however, doesn't particularly like it. So I literally give it to her as medicine. This seems to work. Yesterday she was coughing up a storm, she drank her chicken soup "medicine" three times and BAM, we are back at school today, people.
Knowing all of this, I highly suggest you take an hour (not even) and make this soup. Make a giant batch and freeze it in smaller, one-portion packages to defrost when needed. This saves me, since I don't necessarily feel like standing over a stovetop every time my kiddos get sick. And it also makes a great base for other soups, since it is basically chicken broth. I also add noodles to it and serve it as a meal on cold, winter nights. Use the chicken for sandwiches or salad.. there are endless possibilities with this soup! So go ahead, grab the ingredients next time you're at the grocery store, whip this up and enjoy some traditional, hearty and feel-good "medicine." Even if you're not sick.
Have a great (and healthy) day, London
Easy Peasy Chicken Bouillon
One whole fresh chicken (Substitutes: Whole frozen chicken, chicken breast (bone-in), or chicken thighs/legs (bone - in)
Carrots (two or three) chopped into large pieces (if organic, don't even bother peeling)
One whole onion, quartered
Two celery ribs chopped into large pieces
Salt
Water
To a large stockpot, add your fresh or frozen whole chicken (take out any inner parts, if there are, and cut the string off), or add your chicken pieces (minimum two pieces, maximum 4). Add all the vegetables. Add enough water to cover the chicken (if your stockpot is too small, make sure your chicken is atleast 90% covered). Add about a teaspoon of salt (really to taste). Turn the stovetop onto high heat, and let the water start to simmer. Skim any froth (impurities) from the soup. Do this until the soup is at a boil. Once you have skimmed all the impurities, cover the stockpot with a lid and turn it down to low. Let simmer for an hour or even two. IF your chicken was frozen, be sure to simmer for two hours minimum. Turn off the heat and let sit for 1/2 hour or so. Take out the chicken, being careful not to let any broth spill out, and remove the meat from the bones. Discard bones/carcass. Chop up the meat, and either add it back to the soup or keep in a separate container (this also freezes well). Chop up the vegetables and either add back to the soup or you can discard the vegetables.
To serve: Best to serve hot, with some chicken. Add noodles of your choice (pre-boiled in a separate pot). Also, add greens (parsley, dill, kale, spinach), or add some more veg (broccoli, cauliflower). This soup is SO versatile - anything your family loves can pretty much go in this soup.
Freeze the liquid broth for later use.
