Soups for the sick

[Willow]

Chicken Barley soup:
2 Tbs peanut oil
2 lbs chicken (boneless, skinless cut into 2 in cubes)
1 Large Spanish Onion (chopped)
2 Celery stalks (Chopped)
2 Carrots (peeled and chopped)
2 tsp dried thyme leaves
2 Bay leaves
1 tsp salt (optional)
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
8 cups chicken stock
1 cup uncooked barley (you can do a rice substitue if you like)
1/3 dry vermouth, white wine or cooking sherry
1/4 frech parsle (substitute dried if necessary)

(1) heat the oil in a pan, brown the chicken pieces, remoive witha slotted spoon and save the oil
(2) add all the veggies to the pan and sweat 4 minutes until tender
(3) add the spices and stir to coat the veggies
(4) move all ingrediants (including chicken) into a soup pot, add the stock and the barley. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, partially cover, and simmer until barley is tender
(5) Stir in the vermouth and simmer to heat through
Transfer to bowls and garnish with the parsely

[Crazy Healer Lady]

Mmmmm

You think I could substitute tofu for the chicken, and veggie broth for the chicken broth?? o_O

Sounds good though!!!

[SageWolf]

Sounds good with the chicken, I am one day going to try tofu but I'm waiting for extra money to buy "frivouls" things ( no offence CHL) But we are the main staples kinda people in my household, I do encourage my kids to eat their veggies and they are really good at choosing an apple over a snickers bar so I've done my best, I even was a veg for a few years, and I've told my kids if they'd like to try it then by all means try it, but they like their meat too much.

SageWolf

[Willow]

I don't see why not, just saute the tofu in with the veggies to give it some flavour and some crispiness, or add it fried after the fact.

And veggie broth for chiken broth...sure.

That is what I love about soups, they are super cheap and super flexible. they can be substituted, simplified, complicated and it rarely messes them up completely.

[Crazy Healer Lady]

MMmmm. YUM!

Sagewolf, no offense taken

Although you know that tofu is cheaper than chicken ^_^ that is, if the family will eat it. If not, it's a complete waste of money.

[Kitsune]

I love making soup.... I think I'm going to convince my honey to go the store for me and grab some chicken broth and noodles, cause I've got the rest of the stuff here at home.

And homemade chicken soup is healthier and better for you than store bought soup, if only because it's made with love.

[Crazy Healer Lady]

And homemade chicken soup is healthier and better for you than store bought soup, if only because it's made with love.

and not chemicals we cannot even pronounce and would kill a dog dead if taken straight. O_O

[SageWolf]

So if you killed a dog wouldn't it be dead already, or do you kill it again to make sure? sorry it's 5 30 something AM and I've yet to have my coffee, but I'm actually planning on going back to bed as soon as the kiddos go to school. I can't even see what I'm typing, My glasses are still by the bed , So forgive me for being a smart alic

SageWOlf

[Crazy Healer Lady]

It's an old term. My dad's a real cowboy-Texan-type, and he grew up in Abbotsford, which is rich in english & grammar nightmares, including the HORRID "come" instead "came." eg. "He come up to my house and knocked on the door." I think I picked the "kill a dog dead" term up from him, but REFUSE the grammar nightmares!

[Willow]

Oh...and home made soups have a tenth of the salt/sodium.

Never ever read that part of a canned soup label, you will have a fit.