‘Homemade Chicken Soup (From Scratch!)’ Source: Food Network (Modified)
~Stock Ingredients~
* 1 whole chicken (about 3 1/2 pounds), rinsed, giblets discarded (I have been recently making mine with just the bones, and loved it so far)
* 2 carrots, cut in large chunks
* 3 celery stalks, cut in large chunks
* 2 large white onions, quartered
* 1 head of garlic, halved
* 1/4 bunch fresh thyme (plus 1 drop thyme essential oil)
* 1 tbs fresh parsley (plus some essential oil!)
* 2 bay leaves
* 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
~Stock Directions~
1. Place the chicken and vegetables in a large stockpot or dutch oven, over medium heat. Pour in only enough cold water to cover (about 3 quarts); too much will make the broth taste weak.
2. Toss in the thyme, parsley, bay leaves, and peppercorns, and allow it to slowly come to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and gently simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, partially covered, until the chicken is done. As it cooks, skim any impurities that rise to the surface; add a little more water if necessary to keep the chicken covered while simmering.
3. Remove the chicken to a cutting board, careful! It will be HOT. When it is cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones; hand-shred the meat into a storage container. Carefully strain the stock through a fine sieve into another pot to remove the vegetable solids. Discard the vegetables.
4. Use the stock immediately OR if you plan on storing it, place
the pot in a sink full of ice water and stir to cool down the stock. Cover and refrigerate for up to one week or freeze.
~Soup Ingredients~
* 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 3 garlic cloves, minced
* 2 medium carrots, sliced
* 2 celery ribs, chopped
* 4 fresh thyme sprigs
* 1 bay leaf
* 2 quarts of above chicken stock
* 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
* Salt and ground black pepper
~Soup Directions~
1. Place a soup pot or dutch oven over medium heat and coat with the oil. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, thyme and bay leaf. Cook and stir for about 6 minutes, until the vegetables are softened but not browned.
2. Pour in the chicken stock and bring the liquid to a boil. Add the noodles and simmer for 5 minutes until tender. Fold in the chicken, and continue to simmer for another couple of minutes to heat through; season with salt and pepper.
