Chicken Noodle Soup

Soup is one of those comfort foods that is good if it's the dead of winter, or even the middle of July. It leaves you with a warm belly, and makes you feel cozy. When I was visiting with my grandparents over the holiday weekend, my grandma told me about her amazing chicken noodle soup recipe. Pretty much everything my grandma cooks is delicious (I think it is a rule of grandmas), so I was more than willing to hear about this soup.Tonight I made it for my boyfriend and myself, and we were both very pleased with it. Roger loved it because it was yummy, and I loved it because it was super easy to make.

Here's how I did it.

Ingredients:

1. Pre-cooked chicken
2. Chicken stock
3. One onion
4. Celery
5. Carrots
6. About 4 tablespoons of butter
7. About 1/3 cup of flour
8. Assorted herbs and spices
9. Egg noodles
10. One 5 ounce can of evaporated milk (PET brand is the best)

Directions:

Start off by melting the butter in a big pot. Dice and cook the onion and celery in the butter only until translucent. Do not let them brown. Next, I went ahead and added in my diced carrots and spices. I used dried sage, basil, rosemary, plenty of salt and pepper, some garlic powder, and a couple of bay leaves. For the dry herbs, I rubbed them between my hands as I added them to release the oils and more of the flavor from them. Then add in your flour, but only enough to soak up most of the butter. Let the flour cook onto the vegetables for about a minute.

The onions and celery sweating in the butter.

After the carrots, herbs, and flour are added.

Then add in your chicken stock. Depending on how much you are making, use either one or two cartons. I needed two for a big pot. Also, it is always a good idea too add in some extra water and some chicken broth base. Bring it all up to a low boil, then add in the chicken and egg noodles. For the chicken, I just cooked some in a pan and shredded it. Also, before adding the noodles I partially cooked them in boiling water, and I rinsed them to take away some of the starch from them. Let it all cook together until the noodles are completely cooked, and then you can stir in the evaporated milk. Allow it all to get warm again and serve it. It is guaranteed to be delicious!