CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

There is something very comforting about this soup and I always feel a bit righteous when I make it.  It feels really healthy and cleansing so I eat loads without guilt even if it has no health benefits what so ever.

I have used Matzo Crackers which most supermarkets have but you could use cream crackers instead if you like.  My electric mini chopper was perfect for crushing them and gave me a roughly fine crumb.  Egg noodles is usually what I have in so that's what I added but vermicelli noodles work really well too. 

2 Chicken Quarters Skin Removed

4 1/2 Pints Veg Stock

1 1/2 Onions Roughly Chopped

2 Sticks Celery Roughly Chopped

2 Carrots Roughly Chopped

2 Tomatoes Peeled and Roughly Chopped

2 Sprigs Flat Parsley

55g Medium Egg Noodles

Parsley to Garnish

                                    

Matzo Balls

55g Butter

1/2 Onion Grated

1 Egg

1 Egg Yolk

1 tbsp Finely Chopped Parsley

1 tbsp Water

115g Matzo Crackers Crushed

S&P

Get your matzo balls ready first.  Melt 1 tbsp of butter in a pan and soften the onion.  In a free standing mixer beat the remaining butter till it's fluffy then beat in the egg and egg yolk.  Add the parsley and cooled onion, season and mix well.  Next add the water and crushed crackers.  Combine everything and leave it to rest while you prepare the soup.

Put the chicken into a large pan and pour over the stock.  Bring it to the boil removing any scum with a slotted spoon.  Simmer for 15 minutes then add the onions, celery, carrots, tomatoes and parsley.  season and simmer for 1 hour till the chicken is cooked through and tender.  While this is cooking you can shape your matzo mixture into balls.

Remove the chicken from the pan and strain the soup into a clean pan. Remove the meat from the bone and cut into bite size pieces. Add the chicken, noodles and matzo balls to the pan, cover and simmer gently for 20-30 minutes.  Serve immediately with a little chopped parsley.












I couldn't bare to discard the lovely flavoursome veg from this recipe so I cooked it with a tin of tomatoes and a little veg stock then liquidised it to make a tomato soup - waste not want not

MINI BLT

Now then, I know I'm not the only one out there who is enjoying the current TV scheduling.  In fact, there's so much good tv at the moment I'm having problems with things clashing.  Added to this dilemma of what to watch is the what to eat issue.

They say it is better for you if you eat earlier in the day rather than late at night so I do this but truth be told it's so I can have a little smakeral of something whilst settling infront of Downton, Spooks, XFactor, Strictly......the list goes on.  I'm at the point now that I'm planning my snacks for next weeks episode at the end of this weeks!

The chosen treat for Downton this week was something I'm sure Mrs Patmore would have approved of. Mini BLT's.  It's pretty obvious really, it's just what it say's on the tin - Bread brushed with olive oil and griddled, pinned together with Parma Ham, L & T  There was also some mayo going on in there or even - a real guilty pleasure salad cream but ssh, don't tell anyone x