Homemade chicken soup

[supernova]

I made a really delish chicken soup this week.

In a large stock pot, I put:

3 leg quarters
4 celery stalks, diced
2 medium sized carrots, diced
1/2 large white onion, diced
1 package of frozen spinach, defrosted
1 C quinoa

Basil
Tarragon
Sage
Salt and Pepper to taste

Fresh Lemon for garnish

Chicken buillion (I used Knorr, but good stock is great too)
Water or stock to fill the pot

1) Brown the chicken quarters until you have a good fond on the bottom of the pot. Remove them to a bowl or plate and set aside. Drain off extra chicken grease from the pot.

2) Add the celery, carrots, and onion to the bottom of the pot and let them sweat out and lift the fond.

3) Add water or stock to fill the pot.

4) Remove the chicken from the bones and put the meat back in the pot.

5) Add 1 C of quinoa.

6) Add buillion, I used about 4 Knorr blocks for that big pot.

7) Simmer all ingredients for about 1/2 hour.

8) Add spinach and cook until warmed through.

9) Serve in soup bowls accompanied by your bread of choice. I had an asiago cheese baguette.

10) Garnish with lemon zest and a few squirts of lemon juice.

11) Enjoy!

:-) :9 :9 :9 :9 :9

[tigereye]

1. nice, I made a nice chicken lentil recently, and added some red wine

seemed to give it a nice base...

I used lots of onion, garlic, carrots, spices, etc.



Yours is interesting with the quinoa and spinach. Never heard of chicken soup with spinach... other than the wedding soups,,,

[supernova]

3. Wedding soups

Funny you should mention it. It occurred to me after I made it that I had done an ad hoc version of a wedding soup.

My former MiL used to make Italian Wedding soup a lot with turkey. I must have dusted off that memory for this pot. :-)

[hippywife]

7. Just made a big pot of wedding soup here today.

Best thing I could think of to make on a day that started out with ice coating every thing followed by about 6-7 inches of snow. :eyes:

You soup sounds delicious, too. :hi:

[tigereye]

13. nothing like a big pot of soup when it's cold out

my husband made the soup last night- it was wonderful. Great with some grilled cheese.



:hi: How are things?

[hippywife]

14. Definitely called for in this weather.

Things are great here. How's it with you, sweetie? :hi:

[tigereye]

15. ah, I have a cold (avoided it til now) and my dad is in the hospital with some

problems, but doing better than expected - he's almost 85. Also doing some searching for a high school for my son (9th grade next year). So my plate is a bit full right now, beyond the regular work stuff.



I'm enjoying watching Cradle Will Rock (great film!). So many great actors with so many great lines and a wonderful historical/labor story.

[hippywife]

16. Hey...

I'll PM you here in a little bit so we don't hijack supernova's thread, 'k? :hug:

[yellerpup]

2. That soup sounds delicious!

I've never tried using that mix of herbs before. Interesting! :hi:

[supernova]

4. I love trying different herb combinations

:9

I love tarragon; it doesn't get enough use in the kitchen, IMO.

[yellerpup]

8. I can't make salad dressing without tarragon.

Well, I can, but I miss the tarragon!

[grasswire]

9. many many years ago I frequented a restaurant...

...that had a tarragon vinaigrette that was out of this world. I've never been able to replicate it. Mmmmmmmm.

[yellerpup]

17. I looked for the original recipe but couldn't find it.

Besides vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, and dry mustard, I add tarragon and fresh garlic. Everyone loves it. I thought it was in the cookbook we bought on our Manhattan honeymoon (1979!) but the one in there only says that herbs and garlic is optional. If I find the original I'll post it for you. :hi:

[Denninmi]

5. Quinoa is great.

Glad to see people using this more.

I really like it.

Even grew my own in 2008.

[supernova]

6. I have to since I'm gluten sensitive

But once I discovered it, I've used it more and more. It's delish!

The only thing I'd do differently is find a way to toast the quinoa a little before adding it to the pot.

[Phentex]

10. How much of the herbs did you use?

One more than another? A T of each?

Sounds really good. My chicken soup is usually plain but good. I'd like to try some new flavors.

:hi:

[supernova]

11. About a Tablespoon of sage and Basil

The tarragon, maybe a teaspoon sine it's so powerful.

These were dried, btw.

[madmax]

12. Thanks

Just bought a box of quinoa. Love chicken soup and haven't had it in some time, sounds like a perfect match for the soup. Also, the addition of spinach in my soup will be a new additon.