What do you do when someone you love is sick or grieving?
I make homemade chicken noodle soup.
I had a sick son in the house this week. Does anything break a mama’s heart more than a sick “child?”
After every effort of soup and ginger ale, Aleve, and cold and sinus medicine, a trip to the doctor was in order for Nick.
It seems he has the flu. Already! First day of Fall and the flu is in our house!
And then there is a family I care deeply about that is suffering a loss….
When there is nothing else you can do…….
Cook…..
Feed….
Warm the heart and soul.
When I make homemade chicken noodle soup, it is nostalgic for me in so many ways.
Grandma made chicken soup almost every week.
I can still smell it as vividly in my memory as if I were there.
All I need do is close my eyes and inhale slowly, but deeply through my nose, my mind, my heart…
The distinct aromatic union of leafy celery tops, pungent chopped onions, sweet and nutty carrot slivers and juicy chicken creating a steamy aroma that oozes comfort, warm hugs, and healing goodness…
So when I make chicken soup, it is more than a recipe – more than a meal. For me, it is a labor of love, a reminder of my greatest role model, a tribute to simple, loving gestures, a way to share warmth, and give a hug in every spoonful.
And I want to share that love.
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Jodi’s Version of Grandma’s Homemade Chicken Soup
Place 1 3lb pkg frozen chicken breasts in a large stock pot filled with water to cover. (You can certainly use a whole chicken or bone-in chicken parts – like Grandma did. The skin and bones do add a lot of flavor. But then it is fussy to pick apart, and we like plump white meat best, so I find this much easier.)
Add:
3 Tbsp Chicken Base
1 stalk chopped celery tops with leaves
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 onion, quartered
1 leek, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp celery seed
3 cloves finely chopped garlic
Simmer all for 3-4 hours.
Drain, and chop chicken and vegetables into broth.
In separate pot, boil 1 lb of your favorite noodles in salted water to al dente.
Drain and rinse.
Add noodles to broth and serve.
Wishing you good health and peace.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS – Had so much fun with A Tale of Two Condiments yesterday, so wanted to share a couple current photos of those cute little condiments. (Thanks for all the great comments and likes!)
Here is Handsome Mr. Ketchup on his wedding day last year with the love of his life and our darling daughter-in-law (who LOVES french fries!)
Here is Handsome Mr. Mustard and his beautiful and sweet girlfriend. (He is the one who had the flu 😦 )
And here is the contrary, but equally handsome Mr. Mayonnaise (having things other than mayonnaise at Mr. Ketchup’s wedding last year!)
My guys! ❤
Your chicken soup story was heartwarming! Hope your son gets better quickly! Yes food can speak to the soul cause of the care and love put into it! Love the pics you shared of your “condiments” 🙂 Thanks!
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Thanks for taking the time to comment joyroses13
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One of the best … Chicken soup for the soul!! Hope Nick is feeling better today!
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Thanks Jan – He’s still home in bed 😦
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Yummy! I want to make soup today! Sure hope Mr. Mustard is feeling better soon. Love the sweet grin on Mr. Mayonnaise. And, of course, Colleen and Mr. Ketchup are just beautiful:)
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Thanks Cindy! Hope your soup turns out good! 🙂
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Awww, I hope Colonel Mustard feels much better very soon! Wonderful recipe for chicken soup which is the Jewish Penicillin, I think they say?
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Thanks Barbara! Yes – I think my friend, Bub, would call it Jewish Penicillin 🙂 – for me (and Grandma) – it’s our “Polish Penicllin!” LOL!
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What I would’ve give for a bowl of your soup last weekend….I had a wicked cold! I’ll have to try this. Great post. Thanks!
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Thanks! Hope you are feeling better
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No. A sick child makes our hearts heavy. So sorry yours was ill. On the other hand, your soup sounds yummy.😊
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I was thinking about chicken soup, but temp-wise too hot in CA, need to wait for our cool fall to begin. Love your post and recipe! I’ll add more ingredients after looking at your delicious looking photos. Hope Mr. Mustard/ the flu boy is feeling better. Flu is no fun!
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I pinned this recipe for next time we are sick! Hope he’s better already!
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