Chicken Soup (with a blessing)

PoppaH has been feeling poorly off and on since August.  All lung issues, hospital stays and general malaise.  It was time for the big guns.  Something that never fails to make people feel better.  You know what I'm talking about.

 

Chicken Soup.
bum, bum, bum.

 

This is a great soup to make you feel better.  Science has even shown that chicken soup helps with cold and the flu.  Okay, I don't know where the study is, but I did read it somewhere.  It even makes anyone who smells it feel better.  Team it with homemade bread and you have a little piece of heaven.

 

 

Chicken Soup

1 whole chicken (giblets removed and rinsed)
Water
2 Tablespoons chicken "Better than Bouillon" OR 1 Tablespoon salt or chicken bouillon
1 onion, peeled and diced
4 carrots, peeled and cut in coins
4 stalks celery, sliced or diced
1 teaspoon thyme
salt and pepper
1/2 pound noodles or pasta (I like frozen noodles)

Place rinsed chicken in a large stock pot.  Cover with water, about 1-2 inches above the chicken.
Heat on stove until it begins to boil.
Skim off foam.

Add "Better than Bouillon"
Reduce heat to low and cook for 1 hour.

After the chicken has cooked for about 1/2 hour, add the veggies and continue to cook.

When the chicken has cooked, remove it from the pot.  Be careful.
Taste the broth.

Add the thyme and as much salt and pepper as you like.

When the chicken has cooled a bit, using 2 forks, add pieces of chicken back to the broth.  I usually add about 1/2 the chicken and save the other half for another meal (casserole or sandwiches.)

Turn up the heat to bring it back to boiling.  Add the noodles and cook until they are done.

Now for the blessing.  After you add the noodles, stir with a big spoon.  Say, while stirring, "Bless all who eat or smell this soup to feel better in body, in mind, and in spirit and to feel of my love for them."

There you go.
All better.