Homemade Chicken Soup

A couple days ago I realized I had the creeping crud.  It has marched it's happy self into my chest where it is having some kind of a party.  Well look here crud...YOU are not going to win!  I decided to bring in the heavy artillery to fight this thing!

The recipe is very simple and does take about 2 hours to make. But, it is so worth the effort. 

Homemade Chicken Soup 

Broth: 

1 whole chicken (rinsed-gizzards removed)
2 onions quartered 
2 carrots
3 ribs of celery 
1 head of garlic cut in half 
1 lemon cut in half 
1/4 bunch of fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. black peppercorns 

Rinse the chicken and remove the gizzards.  Place in the bottom of a large pot, and then add all the other ingredients.  Cover with water just until it is over the chicken.   Too much water will make your broth weak. 

Bring to a boil, then turn to to medium-low heat, cover partially and let simmer 1 1/2 hours.  As the chicken cooks, skim the rim for the impurities that rise to the surface. 

Remove the chicken and set aside.  When it is cool, remove all of the meat.  

Drain all of the broth from the stock pot, and whatever is left you can discard it.  Look at all the stock!  You can save or freeze the rest to use in another recipe. 

Soup Ingredients: 

1 whole chicken shredded 
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
2 carrots
2 ribs of celery
4 fresh thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf
12 cups of the STOCK you just made 
8 oz. wide egg noodles 
1 tbsp. butter
salt and pepper
fresh parsley to garnish 

In same pot where you made the broth, saute cut onions, carrots, and celery for a few minutes over medium heat.  Then add chopped garlic. 

Pour in chicken stock and bring this to a boil. Add the noodles and simmer for 5 minutes until tender.  Add the chicken and continue to simmer for another 2 minutes to heat through.  Season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Now serve this up to that creeping crud and tell it to GET LOST! The soup is really delicious, and it is making me feel better already.  Maybe it's time for another bowl...