Friday, January 22, 2010

Comfort Food


With four days of wind and rain, I have been thinking soup all week.
I'm feeling fine, but one of the things my Mom always made to make us feel better was Chicken and Noodles.  She made her noodles from scratch, but I never seemed to be able to make them like hers. She would roll out the dough and cut them and then dry them on waxed paper. They were always so tender and yummy.  Mine are always tough, but I don't let that stop me, I just buy them in a package.

This is "My Mom's Chicken and Noodles"

Start with a  roasted chicken carcas. This one came from Cosco and we had a couple of meals off it already. There is still lots of yummy breast meat left. Cover it with water in the Crock Pot and add a bay leaf.
Cook on high for several hours until the meat is falling off the bone.
Take the meat and bones out and pick out all the good meat and coarsley chop.
I put the broth in the refrigerator until all the fat congeals on the top, skim it off and you have good low fat chicken broth.


While the broth is chilling, I chop all the veggies
3 large carrots
3 stalks of celery
one onion
2 garlic cloves
Put all of these in the Crock Pot with the broth and another bay leaf for about 2 more hours.
I usually taste at this point and salt and pepper to taste
Because the chicken is seasoned I usually don't need much more seasoning.



About 1 hr. before dinner time, I add these....The whole 8oz. package of wide noodles.



Check them often as you don't want them over cooked. Just before they are done, just turn off Crock Pot.


Now add all that yummy chicken meat and I throw in some frozen peas at the last minute.



It's ready to serve.
Just in time, as my sweet hubby walked in the door after another week working away from home.
I sat him down to a big bowl of "My Moms Chicken and Noodles", Biscuits and Honey Butter and Homemade Applesauce.

Note:  It is called "Chicken and Noodles" and not soup because (especially the next day) it is thick and not very brothy.  I hesitate to mention this, but my Mom always served it as leftovers poured over Mashed Potatoes and I confess I do too sometimes.  I know....too much starch, but oh so good.

12 comments:

Nancy Yoakum said...

I just made some chicken noodle soup for the first time! I got a recipe from a co-worker who gets a monster bad of Amish noodles and I couldn't resist trying the recipe. Perfect on these cold Kansas winter days served with warm rolls! I'll have to try your version!

Warmly,
Nancy

Suzanne said...

Looks delish! I actually have a chicken noodle soup named after ME..."Grammy Soup". Mine is so easy, but one thing I do that you might try is fresh noodles found in the deli case. Not homemade but close. Love your photo styling. Also we need to see you next week about your pattern. It's looking good and your directions are wonderful. Have a great weekend!

Jane said...

Hi Beverly,
Thanks for the recipe. It sounds (and looks) delicious!
I really like the idea of using the crock pot...makes me life a lot easier.
Jane

Pink Daisys Blog Spot said...

Beverly,
This looks so good! I am adding this to my dinner menu this week! Thank you for sharing.
Mechelle

Simple Home said...

My mom always makes her own noodles too, and I've just never got the hang of doing it right. This sounds like delicious soup. Thanks for the info on the little hurricane lamp. I never even thought there might be more pieces to this or what the name was. Now I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for other pieces.
Blessings,
Marcia

Dogmom Diva said...

Hi Beverly, the soup looks delicious..Married almost 33 years and I don't recall ever making homemae chicken noodle soup..I might have, but if I did it was years ago..sounds like a recipe my crockpot is looking for! Like the idea of using as a topper for mashed potatoes the next day...my meat and potatoe husband would L.O.V.E. this. Your soup will be on our menu this week also..thank you for sharing..
PS loved the rain but glad it's gone!
hugs
Barb

Michelle said...

This looks quite wonderful and I need to try it. I usually make a vegetable beef soup, but I need to try the chicken.

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Yummmm.....sounds delish. I'm going to give it a whirl...

Warm blessings,

Spencer

Sewn With Grace said...

Hi Beverly! My mouth was literally watering by the time I finished your post. I have never made this in the crock pot before, and will definately try it. I still haven't made the beef bourgnion. My husband didn't want to wait around for hours while it cooked. Okay by me.

Stacey said...

That sounds so delicious Beverly. :) Don't you just love those roasted chickens? They are so handy.

Tracy said...

Oh.my.goodness, this looks WONDERFUL! I'll be trying this recipe soon! = ) Thanks for sharing.

Jessica - The Novice Chef said...

This looks delicious! I wish I had a big bowl now!