Chicken Zuppa for the Soul

We all have our favorite comfort foods. Those familiar, delicious foods that bring a sense of well being to us. One of mine is homemade chicken noodle soup. My mother would often make up a huge pot of it during the winter months and the wonderful smell would fill the whole house.

I have made chicken noodle soup many times over the years since I have been married and I like to try different recipes from time to time. My most recent favorite is from my sister, Dianne, and her husband, John. Because John is Italian, it has a definite Italian twist to it - garlic and tomatoes. I have to say it is absolutely delicious.

I made a pot of it a couple of days ago and I am savoring every bowlful! Here is their original, secret family recipe if you would like to make some for yourself (given with permission, of course!).

Chicken Zuppa

• stewing chicken
• salt
• carrots
• celery
• medium onion
• 4 - 5 chicken bouillon cubes or packets
• chicken base
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup crushed tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• salt & pepper
• noodles

Place the chicken in an 8-quart pot and fill with water 2 inches from top. Add a bit of salt and bring to boil. Turn heat down and simmer for about an hour, until chicken is done. Remove foam/fat from top as it simmers.

Cut up carrots and celery (You can use as much as you want. I used about 4 carrots and 6 celery ribs). Cut up onion into 1/2-inch pieces.

Remove chicken from pot. Add carrots, celery and onion to broth. Add bouillon to taste, 1/2 jar chicken base, tomatoes and garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer until vegetables are tender. Cut up chicken and add back to pot.

Boil noodles of your choice in a separate pot. Add to soup and serve. Delizioso!