hi there! unfortunately, i am currently fighting a cold.  this is no surprise to me or those who know me in person… it always happens, as soon as the temperatures drop lower than 60 degrees i get a cold.  i have all the classic symptoms headache, runny nose, fever, etc.  ugh, it is very annoying.  the symptoms started on sunday night after i spent a beautiful day with friends.  determined not to be sick for the holidays i made chicken soup as soon as i got home from work the next night.  

i remember the first time i let the irishman taste this soup, he had a nasty cold and refusing to take medication. the only thing i could think of doing to help was to make him this chicken noodle soup.  after a few bowls of the soup he was convinced it has magical powers.  the soup is that good.  honestly, i don’t remember where or when i learned to make it.  i assume it was from years of seeing my mom make it but i can’t be sure.  for all i know i was born knowing the recipe (specially if it has magical powers).  i imagine the recipe for this soup has been passed down through generations.  in my family, we all make it essentially the same way.  one thing is certain, i may not know how i learned this soup but i am thrilled i do know it, this soup is delicious and has some pretty rad healing qualities.  so here it is, chicken noodle soup!

INGREDIENTS:
1lb of chicken (with the skin and bones)
3-4 potatoes
3-4 large carrots
1 medium white onion
2 springs of celery
1 cup of cilantro or parsley
2 cloves of garlic
1 tbs of dry oregano
1tbs of pepper
1/2 tbs of paprika
1 tbs of vegetable oil
2 cups of noodles
2 cups of chicken broth OR 2 chicken bouillon cubes dissolved in 2 cups of hot water
2 limes 

INSTRUCTIONS:
heat up the vegetable oil in a deep pot. clean and wash the chicken.  add the chicken to the hot oil.

while the chicken is browning up start chopping up all the vegetables.

(nifty new collage thing - i just figured out how to make it. expect many from now on!)

brown the chicken and take it out of the pot

use the chicken residue to cook the onions and garlic

once the onions wilt enough add the celery

add some water (1-2 tbs) if it seems that the onions/celery are burning. next add the oregano, pepper and paprika.  you were supposed to add the cilantro here too but i forgot, hence why it does not appear in the picture below.  my bad.

next, place the chicken on top of the herbs and spices mixture

add the carrots

and the potatoes

don’t forget the noodles

cover with a mixture of half water and half chicken stock or chicken bouillon mix  you need to add water so the soup is not salty.  remember, it is always easier to add seasonings than to take them away.

cover the pot and cook on medium heat for 45 minutes. raw chicken is not good!

i cooked it for over an hour just to be safe. 

i read somewhere that when making chicken soup it is good to use chicken with skin and bones.  apparently, there is something in them that helps you fight colds - so maybe thats where the magical powers come from :)

bubbly, bubbling soup!! 

when the chicken cooks completely (no pink chicken!) serve a heaping bowl of soup.  

now, i know to some this may sound weird, but trust me on this one (have i ever led you the wrong way? don’t answer that)… once you serve your soup squeeze the juice of half a lime on top.  trust me and just do it. DO IT!

i decided to add a tiny bit of cilantro on top to make sure you knew you added it to the soup.  wouldn’t want you thinking i am a liar.

this soup goes well with buttered wheat toast as well

but most importantly, it does amazing things to your body when you are sick. its warms you up from the inside out and fills you with strength.  i hope you try making it, even if you are not sick.  and if you are feeling under the weather, i really hope you get better soon!

thanks so much for stopping by!