Little MouseKitchen: Magic Chicken Soup

Little MouseKitchen: Magic Chicken Soup

1 lb boneless, skinless, chicken breasts (or in a pinch use two drained cans of cooked chicken chunks)
On a baking sheet, season chicken breasts with salt & pepper. Drizzle both sides with olive oil. Roast in a 400 degree oven for 40 minutes, or until the juices run clear. When done, allow to cool slightly (15 min)

In a sauce pan, add 1 c chopped celery
1 c chopped onion
1 c chopped carrot
2 Tbsp minced garlic
4 c of your favorite chicken stock
1 c water
salt, pepper to taste
2 tsp Greek Seasoning (McCormick spice blends)

Simmer on low heat for 30 min.
Cut the chicken breasts into chunks and add to the broth.

Simmer for 30 more min. (The longer the soup simmers, the better it tastes.)

Cook separately 2 cups of rice or noodles...your choice.
Add the rice or noodles in the last 10 minutes of cooking. They will absorb the flavor of the broth, without turning the soup starchy.

Applesauce Bread
Cream together
1/2 c shortening
1 cup sugar

Add 1 1/2 cup applesauce
Mix together

Add:
2 c sifted flour
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped nuts

Stir all together. Pour into a pan sprayed with cooking spray and bake 350 for 40 min or until a knife inserted comes out clean.
(I cook mine in a cast iron skillet)

Linguine With Clam sauce
1 box linguine
2 cans clams (drained)
1 box or can of chicken broth
1/4 cup white wine
2 tsp oregano,
 2 Tbsp parsley,
2 tsp garlic salt or 2 Tbsp Greek seasoning from McCormick
  You can add the fresh spices and salt and pepper as you go.
Mix the clams, broth, wine, and seasonings in a pan.  Simmer for 15 min.  Cook and drain linguine.  Pour sauce over hot pasta and sprinkle on grated cheese

Couscous with Pine Nuts and Spinach
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup couscous.
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 cups baby spinach
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Bring the broth to a boil. Add the couscous, take off the heat, and cover. Let sit for 10 min. Fluff with a fork
In a skillet pour 2 Tbsp olive oil and saute 2 Tbsp garlic and pine nuts. Saute for a minute or two on low heat. (Be careful to not let the garlic burn.) Fold the couscous, spinach, feta, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with steak

Gone all Day Turkey Dinner
1 lb ground  turkey
1 med onion, chopped
1 cup frozen corn
1/4 cup Italian dressing
1 tsp steak sauce (we use A1)
1 can cranberry sauce
1 box stuffing mix

Combine turkey, onion, corn, dressing, and  steak sauce in a slow cooker.  Top with cranberry sauce and put the dry stuffing mix on the top.  Cover with lid.

Cook on low for 6-7 hours.

Magic Chicken Soup

Do you remember being sick?  What helped you to feel better?  Getting sick when I was a kid meant that the house went into "sick mode".  Ginger ale was poured and  the carbonation stirred out, saltine crackers with honey were put on small plates, the smell of Lysol and Vicks vapo-rub permeated the house, and a pot of chicken soup went on the stove.

What gives chicken soup it's healing powers?  Is it actually a chemical substance that helps to strengthen the body?  Does it help the body's immune system fight off what ever germs have taken hold?  Is it easily digestible so that the body can convert  and use it quickly to repair whatever is damaged?  Or is it that someone has taken the time, effort, and consideration  to show that they love you and will simmer a pot of broth, meat, and veggies and pamper you until you feel like you can join the human race again?  Maybe it's all of the above.

There are many home remedies and comfort foods out there for when you are feeling feeble.  Sometimes, you just don't have a pot of homemade chicken soup on hand when the flu hits.  Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup was a staple in our house in the winter and in the closet of the dorm room in college.  There is something just a little comforting when you open that red and white can.   Hot tea with lemon and honey (and sometimes a drop of the Irish), would loosen and soothe a cough.   Jello with fruit  would brighten the room with it's fun colors and was fun to eat, and soft puddings (butterscotch... mmmmm) would slide down  a sore throat easily.

This week, Hubby is not at his best, and the chicken soup is on the stove.  The smell of Lysol is in the air, and ginger ale, orange juice, tea, and hot Tang are the beverages of choice.  Even if your house is healthy this week, wash your hands and put on a pot of hot comforting soup.  You will feel rejuvenated by the magic of chicken soup.

*** Indicates recipe following
Sunday
Chicken Soup w noodles or rice **
applesauce bread***

Monday
Linguini with clam sauce***
Green Beans

Tuesday
Grilled steak
Couscous with pine nuts and spinach***

Wednesday
Gone all day Turkey Dinner (Slow cooker meal)***

Thursday
Lasagna Soup
Garlic Bread

Friday
Pancakes
Bacon