it's a chicken soup day

Do you remember that book by Maurice Sendak " Chicken Soup with Rice"? Every month had a little song about chicken soup, and I sing it as I put together another homemade chicken soup.

"In March the wind blows down the door
and spills my soup upon the floor
it laps it up and ROARS for more
blowing once
blowing twice
blowing chicken soup with rice."

Thankfully, Spring seems in sight, even though yesterday was frigid, and we had just gotten another foot+ of snow. I chattered into the kitchen and rustled up the chicken soup - this time with a little sliced kale for a change, and some hot pepper flakes for a little warmth.

We're all watching our pennies, and when I priced the ingredients for this, it came to under $4.00 Not bad for hearty, delicious, and healthy soup for 4 people. I always make chicken soup with lots of fresh carrots - the simmering makes them sweet and it certainly brightens up the bowl.

To make:
3 chicken thighs or 1 large chicken breast
1 onion, sliced
1 stalk celery, unsliced ( for the stock)
2 cups peeled, sliced carrots
1 t. thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
pinch hot pepper flakes
1-2 cups sliced kale leaves
salt and freshly cracked pepper
3 cups chicken stock
optional: fresh dill, fresh parsley, another vegetable
1 cup leftover cooked rice

Simmer the chicken in a small pot, along with the onion, carrots, and celery, plus the chicken stock , for 30 minutes.

Remove the celery and discard.

Pull the chicken off the bones and cut into small pieces.

Add the chicken back into the pot.
Add the thyme, hot pepper flakes, and rosemary.
Add the fresh dill or parsley, and the sliced kale.
Bring to a simmer and then add the cooked rice. Cook another 15 minutes, then serve, piping hot.


Enjoy your day!