Chicken Noodle Soup

Homemade chicken noodle soup is healing for the mind and the body!  Truly it is!  This is the kind of comfort food that can change a bad mood into a good one.  This soup reminds me of my mother and grandmother, which makes me feel like I am loved and taken care of.  It that isn't enough, the base of this soup is made from "bone broth."   Check out this article to learn more about the physical health benefits of "bone broth."

I always make this with the turkey bones the day after Thanksgiving.  Other times during the year I use the bones of a Rotisserie chicken to make the broth for this soup.  My husband and kids LOVE coming home to the smell of this simmering in the kitchen.

Ingredients -

Bones and leftover meat of a roasted chicken

Onions

Carrots

Celery

Chicken Bouillon

Uncooked Pasta, I prefer the thick, curly noodles that I can only find at Costco in the pasta variety pack.

Salt

Pepper

Rosemary

Thyme

Desired Seasoning and Herbs

Directions -

1.  Place bones in a large stock pot, and add enough water to cover the bones, and a few inches more.  Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer, covered, for 2-3 hours.

2.  Using a mesh strainer, and slotted spoon, carefully take out all the bones and meat that has fallen off the bones.  I spread this out, and carefully separate the meat from the un-edible pieces.   Throw the bones etc away, and keep the meat, cut up or torn into bite sized pieces.  

*At this point you can freeze the stock to use later, and use the meat in other recipes or continue on to make soup right now!

*I usually add a quart of broth or bouillon to the stock to help it go further for my big family.   

3.  Add all the vegetables, cut up, and let simmer for 20 minutes.  

4.  Add Chicken, Pasta, and season to taste.