Soup | From Patty's Pantry

Chicken Soup

Feb 042013

There is nothing quite like chicken soup. I have been feeling under-weather and determined to feel better as my birthday is later this week and I love a good celebration! Now this is not how I used to cook chicken soup, but after having dinner in the fall at my friend Caroline’s place, this is now how I cook chicken soup. I was a little surprised when I saw her put the entire chicken in a pot to make her chicken soup. But this is one of the things I love about having dinner at friends places, everyone has their own styles and tricks.

This way of cooking chicken soup is so delicious and simple.

Chicken Soup

1 2lb Pound Chicken

2 Small to Medium Yellow Onion cut into 1/2 inch cubes

3 Medium Sized Carrots quartered lengthwise and cut into 1/4 inch slices

1 Leek quartered lengthwise and cut into 1/4 inch slices

4 Celery stalks cut into 1/4 inch slices

6 Cloves of Garlic chopped

4 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme

Salt and Pepper

Whole Chicken Soup

In a large Stock pot put all of the ingredients in and add enough water to just cover the chicken. Place on stove, on low to medium heat and cook covered with a lid for 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours.

The chicken will break away from the bone. Ladle the veggies and broth into a bowl and pieces of chicken. Ready to eat!

Pumpkin Soup with Cilantro/Coriander

London, Soups 1 Comment »

Jan 142013

This past weekend we were having a couple over for dinner, and the meal had to be heavy on the vegetable and fruit side, as the guest is a Personal Trainer. The first course was Pumpkin Soup and the rest of the dinner will be coming later this week. This Pumpkin Soup, I was inspired to make after a weekend in Paris. It most definitely will become apart of my soup repertoire, such a perfect mixture of different flavors and crunch.

Pumpkin Soup with Cilantro

1 Can of Pumpkin Puree

1 Yellow Onion Medium in Size Chopped

2 Small Shallots Chopped

4 Cloves of Garlic Chopped

2 Celery Stalks Chopped

3 Tablespoons of Butter

1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil

2 Sprigs of fresh Thyme

3/4 Cup of White Wine

1/2 Cup of Milk

1/2 Cup of Cream

2 1/2 Cups of Chicken Stalk

1/3 Cup of Chopped Cilantro

Salt and Pepper to taste

Zest from 1 Orange

Optional Toasted Hazelnuts (chopped not too finely), Croutons or Roasted Corn

In a medium sized saucepan heat the oil and melt the butter, add the onions, celery, shallots, garlic and thyme. Saute for for 4-5 minutes, then add the white wine followed by the pumpkin puree and mix together. Add the remaining liquids and cook for 15- 20 minutes on low heat. Add the Cilantro and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and place in a blender. (Now I did not put through a strainer after blending, I think it would have been a little nicer had I. Honestly, I just didn’t feel like adding that step or cleaning the extra utensils.) Return the soup to the pan. When ready to serve place a little orange zest on the bottom of each bowl before serving. Optional to add a few chopped hazelnuts. Top the soup with a sprig of cilantro and either roasted corn nuts or buttered croutons (I had corn-nuts and thought it would give it a crunch that I wanted and was happy with the result.)