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I hope everyone had a nice holiday season. Winter is in full swing and we all thought things would be better this winter. It's flu, cold and virus season and we will get through it together. There are ways we can boost both our health and spirits.  

As you know, my soup pot and I go way back. When i hear someone is under the weather, you can find me in my kitchen chopping and dicing and making my special "MOM" chicken. My pantry always has ingredients on hand...just in case. Chicken soup truly is food for the soul and promotes wellness.

Today we have a winter advisory in the Midwest and multiple family members down with the flu.  

The chicken soup in on the stove top, there is bread baking in the bread maker and tomorrow I will dish the soup into containers to leave on various porches in the hopes of better health and a smile.

My Mom's chicken recipe is like most. Chicken broth, cut up chicken breasts or thighs, chopped onions, carrots, celery, garlic, salt and pepper. My secret ingredient is an entire envelope of Bear Creek Country Kitchens Chicken Noodle Soup that contains the spices to make this soup amazing and flavorful. You can find it on their website, in grocery stores or on Amazon. I simmer all of the ingredients together on the stove top 3-4 hours, then add 2 cups of my favorite dried elbow or shell pasta, stir, serve or cool and store for a couple of days in the refrigerator.  

Best served with a hot loaf of fresh bread and butter.  

Stay well, positive and have a safe and happy weekend.

Soups On!

The first snow of the season is coming this weekend in the midwest and that means only one thing...soup!  I have used the same soup pot for a number of years and I can't think of making my soup in anything else. Chicken soup is always the first one of the season. It's a family favorite! When it's on the stove cooking, I'm reminded of the days my Mom made chicken soup for our large family of 7. It's a good way to stretch a meal and a budget at the same time.  

I always begin with a base of organic chicken broth, chopped onion, chopped fresh carrots and celery and fresh chicken breasts. I like to use a few shakes of The Spice House Back of the Yards  and Lemon-Pepper in my chicken soup as well as a couple pinches of salt, pepper, topped with a good sprinkle of dried parsley. Let it cook on the stove for 3-4 hour on low. It fills your home with a wonderful aroma. After a few hours, remove the chicken breasts and shred with 2 forks. Place back into the pot, add a bag of your favorite egg noodles, and cook for another 20 minutes or until the noodles are done.  

Serve and enjoy this hearty soup♡

The Magic of Soup

There is something magical about a pot of soup on the stovetop all day. It's the simplicity of the process that soothes the soul. Homemade soup can change your day There is nothing fancy about the making of soup.This soup pot of mine is over 20 years old and one of my favorite kitchen items. I take it to our lake home when the whole family is together to create my stews, chilis, and soups and back home again. There have been a lot of meals served with love that have come out of this pot and it serves a purpose.  No recipes needed, just cook fro the heart. Fill your favorite pot with chicken or beef broth, slice fresh carrots, onions, green beans, celery, zucchini, and egg noodles to simmer for a couple of hours for vegetable soup. For chicken soup, chicken broth, sliced carrots, onions and celery, salt and pepper, cooked diced chicken and add egg noodles 15 minutes before it's done.  Cook on stovetop a couple of hours on low-medium.  

There is a chill in the air and soup will create a warmth in your home that will nurture your spirit.  

Soup-er Tuesday - Have Leftover Turkey or Chicken?

Chicken or Turkey Vegetable Barley Soup

Winter has returned to the Midwest with snow and cold temperatures which is the perfect recipe for soup Tuesday.  After a weekend of cooking for family, I have most of the following ingredients leftover in my refrigerator.  Preparation time takes about 45 minutes because of dicing and slicing time.  It's a hearty soup and well worth the time.  

Ingredients: 
 5 quarts chicken of turkey broth
2 cups diced celery
2 cups sliced carrots
2 cups fresh green beans (ends trimmed)
1 chopped onion
3/4 cups barley
2 - 3 cups cooked chicken or turkey, diced
salt and pepper to taste
fresh barley if desired

1.  In soup pot, combine broth, celery, carrots, green beans, onion and barley.  Simmer approximately 1 hour or until vegetables and barley are tender but NOT mushy.

2.  Add diced chicken or turkey, salt and pepper to taste and heat thoroughly.  

3.  Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

It's that Easy!  Goes great with a fresh salad or hot rolls or bread.   

*You can substitute 2 cups diced potatoes instead of barley.

                                                        Lakehouse Lyn