Soup, the answer to warmth and comfort.

Soup, the answer to warmth and comfort.

Written by: Sonjy Bambi Daniels 

As the season changes and the air becomes cool and crisp, we look toward foods that comfort and warm our bodies like a much welcomed enfolding blanket. No other food does it better than a delicious hot bowl of soup. Knowing you can create a soup from almost any ingredient adds to the convenience and luxury of this meal, from the simplest components, like an egg and broth, to a hearty medley of vegetables, spices, cream, and various types of meat. 

Soups are as old as cooking itself. Throughout the ages, they have not only been used to heal our appetites but to repair and restore our bodies. Soup holds many restorative properties. Take chicken noodle soup, for instance. Chicken noodle soup, commonly used for colds or the flu, provides several healing benefits. The broth of the soup hydrates, and the steam clears the sinuses. The vegetables in the soup provide vitamins like vitamin C, which repairs body tissues and boosts antioxidant levels, along with other vitamins and minerals that help fight off viruses and help the body to heal quicker. The noodles provide carbohydrates that help restore the body’s energy. And the star of the soup, the chicken, provides protein that helps create new cells and make antibodies to fight off infections. Chicken is also high in tryptophan, an amino acid that produces serotonin, which regulates mood, reducing sadness, depression, and anxiety, providing that much-needed comfort.

No matter what style of hot soup you create or crave, the desire is all the same, coziness and solace to your body with each delicious, satisfying spoonful. 

QUICK COMFORTING CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP 

PREP TIME: 15 minutes COOK TIME: 15 minutes

Things Needed:

1 Rotisserie chicken cut up into pieces (remove large bones. Wings can be added to the soup whole) 

8 cups of Chicken broth (Two 32 oz Chicken broth cartons)

2 sticks of celery sliced into 3 pieces each

4 large carrots sliced

½ yellow onion diced

1 cup of egg noodles

2 sprigs of fresh thyme

2 sprigs of fresh rosemary

3 tablespoons of salted butter

¼ cup of olive oil

2 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon of garlic powder

1 teaspoon of onion powder

1 teaspoon of Ms. Dash or your favorite all-purpose seasoning

½ ground black peppercorn

2 cups of water

* ½ teaspoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt (optional)

*¼ cup of parsley (optional)

Let’s Cook!

Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add thyme and rosemary, and saute until the fragrance of the herbs blooms (you can smell them). Add celery, onions, carrots, garlic powder, onion powder, and Mrs. Dash’s all-purpose seasoning. Saute until carrots become tender, and onions are translucent. 

Add chicken, mix chicken well with vegetables and seasonings 

Add broth and water. *Add Lawry’s seasoning salt. Bring to a boil. 

Add noodles and cook for 10 minutes.

Remove the rosemary & thyme sprigs. 

Sprinkle with *parsley, serve, and enjoy!

This recipe is just a guideline, be creative and make it your own!