The Power of Soup

I have been feeling a tad under the weather for the past week now.  Waking up with a sore throat every morning, and dealing with a runny nose and a constant, nagging sinus headache.  Originally, I thought I was getting a fall cold, since the weather cannot seem to make up her mind which season she wants to be, but now that a week has passed with this "illness" completely stagnant, I think it may be allergies instead.  Regardless of what I've contracted or what is blooming/decaying out in the wilderness, whatever is making me feel like this way is not welcome and can move along ASAP.

Soup is like the Official Food of the Ill and Under-the-Weather. Stereotypically, when you are sick, soup is offered to you by friends, families, and kind, elderly strangers.  "Have some chicken noodle soup, deary, and it'll fix you right up."... "Have you tried some soup?  Always works for me."... "Do you want me to bring you some soup? I am sure it will make you feel better!".... "NO SOUP FOR YOU!"... Well, maybe not the last line there, but you get the idea.  People act like soup has magical powers and the potency of a 7-day Z-pack.

I will admit, a nice bowl of soup does make me feel a bit better, even if only temporarily.  Maybe it's all in our heads, a complete placebo effect, but it really does seem to work.  Until recently, I hated soup and refused it, even if I was feeling like I was sprawled out on death's doorstep.  There was absolutely no appeal to me.  Hot liquid with bits of vegetable and meat floating around? No thanks.

But, in trying to lose the last few pounds for my wedding day, I was told to have soup before meals to curb appetite, and so, in prenuptial desperation, I choked it down.

And loved it.

I'll also admit when I am wrong (sometimes), and I am publicly proclaiming that I was wrong about soup.  Dead-wrong. Soup is delicious.  Now, I can't get enough of it. I rip soup recipes out of magazines like a hoarder collecting stray cats.

So, last week when I began getting that familiar sandpapery feeling in my throat, I was thrilled that I finally got to whip up a batch of my newest love: Soup.

In my wild fury of stockpiling soup recipes, I am not sure what magazine this particular recipe came from.  Apologies. It is delicious though-- a crowd (and sore throat) pleaser!

Dr. FeelGood Chicken-Rice Soup

Here are the ingredients- pretty simple:

3 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 1/2 lbs. Chicken Cutlets

Salt & Pepper

1 red onion, chopped

14 baby red-skinned potatoes, washed and sliced into small pieces

1/2 cup of rice (I used brown rice)

32 oz. of chicken broth

1/2 cup freshly chopped flat leaf parsley

sliced avocado, optional

shredded mozzarella cheese, optional

sour cream, optional

tortilla chips, optional

1. In a large pot (or dutch oven), heat 3 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil over med-high heat.

2. Rinse and pat dry 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken cutlets. Season with Salt & Pepper.

3. Drop the chicken into the pot and cook until golden on both sides (3-4 minutes per side).

4. Remove the chicken from the pot and let sit on a cutting board.

5. Add most of the red onion to the pot (this is not an exact science; just eyeball it.  If you don't want fresh onion as a garnish to your soup, go ahead and add it all), lowering the heat.  Stir occassionally and allow to cook until it begins to brown.

6. Add the sliced red-skinned potatoes and cook them for a few minutes with the onions.

7. While the onion and potatoes are cooking, cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks and return them to the pot.

8. Stir in the brown rice, chicken broth, and two cups of water. Bring to a boil.

9.  Lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.  Stir it every once in a while, and season the soup with Salt & Pepper.

10.  When you are ready to serve, stir in the freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley.

11. Garnish the bowl with chopped avocado, remaining red onion, a dallop of sour cream, and a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese.  Serve with tortilla chips on the side. (I skipped the tortilla chips, so I cannot say if they make the dish or not.)

The soup turned out to be really tasty!  And what is soup without his friend, grilled cheese, by his side??  I picked up two ciabatta rolls from the bakery and grilled us some tomato & munster cheese sammies.

The best part: There was plenty left over for lunch the next day!

We will definitely have this soup again, especially as the weather cools. The next time, I may attempt it in the crock pot to cut down on cooking time.  Overall, this dish is simple and mmm mmm good!