Noodle Soup Who?

As a kid, whenever we were sick, my mammy made Chicken Soup with Rice. Sometimes I would feel sorry for myself that we never got chicken noodle soup like all the other kids. But then I'd take one bite of this succulent, flavorful deliciousness and I felt sorry for the other kids! And now, I make it during the winter just because - no need to be sick to make this delectable heart-warming treat!

This recipe is adapted from "Thermador's Convection Micro-Thermal Cooking Guide" - not that I'm lucky enough to have a Thermador oven! My mom assisted in writing the recipes for this one. Someday I hope to be creative enough to write recipes too!!

Chicken Soup with Rice

Makes 4-6 servings (I always double it)

**This is one of those recipes where you can add more or less of anything. I will give you the measurements from the recipe, but I actually do a heaping cup of each veggie and about one extra cup of chicken broth - the rice sucks it up, and if you don't add more broth, your left overs will look more like a stew.**

Ingredients

6 cups chicken broth (I boil the chicken breasts in a pot of water (just enough water to cover the breasts with about 1 extra inch of water) with the tops of celery, chunked up onions, salt, pepper, and sometimes fresh parsley. After the chicken is cooked, I strain the stock and use the left over liquid as part of the 6 cups of chicken broth directed above.)

2 cups diced, cooked chicken (about 3 breasts - see above for instructions on how to cook)

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

1/3 cup diced carrots

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 cup long grain rice

2 tablespoons finely chopped green pepper (I use any color - whatever I have, and I always use a whole pepper)

2 sprigs parsley, minced

1 teaspoon salt (I recommend you use Kosher salt if you use your left-over stock which is already fairly salty)

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1 bay leaf

2-3 whole cloves

Instructions:

Throw it all together and cook until the rice is done. Usually about 20-25 minutes. Serve it up with some yummy crusty bread and enjoy! A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.