Soup du Jour

I have a friend named Allanonn. Like me, he likes to cook. He comes up with some creative recipes like me as well. Allanonn and I share a common friend, Kai. Well, Kai is sick…I told Kai to tell Allanonn to make her some soup. I got the shocking response that Allanonn doesn’t know how to make soups! After hearing that…this one is for you Allanonn!


J.J.’s Chicken Noodle Soup

• 1 rotisserie chicken you get at the grocery store
• 1 small onion – yellow or white
• Garlic – about 1 tablespoon of that pre chopped in the jar packed in olive oil. Normal or roasted it is up to you, but I like the roasted. If you opt for the roasted I would you a tablespoon and a half.
• Carrots – 2 to 4 depending on how much carrot you like.
• Celery – 1 rib, unless you like this particular vegetable then you can add as much as you like.
• 1 large can of low sodium chick broth/stock
• 1 package Egg Noodles – I like the skinny ones for this soup. Use whatever kind you like.
• ½ stick of butter – real butter, unsalted
• ½ tablespoon of fresh ground pepper
• Season salt to taste – I like the low sodium kind from Lawry’s.
• ½ teaspoon of rosemary
Take your rotisserie chicken…remove most of the meat off of it and cut into bite size pieces. Set that aside. Take the carcass/skin from the chicken and toss in the pot. Add the onion, garlic, pepper, chicken broth and 8 cups of water. (Make sure the onion is pealed – it doesn’t need to be chopped.) Simmer for an hour.

While this is simmering, chop up your carrots and celery. After simmering for an hour or so, strain the stock…keep the liquid, toss out the chunky stuff left over. Return liquid to the pot with your chopped chicken. Add the carrots and celery. Simmer till the veggies are to the tenderness you like. Some people like them mushy, some like them crispy…add the noodles last, right before serving! Season to taste with the season salt and add the butter before serving…Serve and enjoy!

This next soup is easy! It is easy to adjust and play with as well…you can have it with mean, vegetarian, or whatever!


Taco Soup

• 2 large jars favorite salsa
• 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 large cans low sodium chicken broth
• 1 bag white frozen corn
• 1 pound stew meat or chicken breast diced – optional
• Shredded cheese to garnish – optional
• Tortilla chips – optional
• Sour cream - optional

Combine all ingredients in large soup pot…cook till meat is tender if using meat. Serve toped with a sprinkle of cheese and tortilla chips on the side.
I like things hotter so I also add a can or two of the diced tomatoes with green chili’s and onion.

One more soup and I will leave this subject alone for now...I got this one from mine and Allanonn's girl Rachael Ray.
 
Rachael Ray’s Sausage and Tortellini Soup

• 2 tablespoons of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
• 1 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage
• 2 large onions, chopped (I like the red kind here.)
• 2 ribs of celery, with the leafy greens left on, finely chopped
• 2 large pinches or red pepper flakes
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes (I like this soup without the tomatoes.)
• 2 quarts of chicken stock
• 2 9-ounce packages of fresh tortellini (I do one package spinach, one package cheese. You can use mushroom as well.)
• Fresh basil and flat leaf parsley leaves, chopped
• Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for garnishing at the table


Preheat a large soup pot over medium high heat with the EVOO. Add the sausage to the hot pot and break it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onions, celery, garlic, red pepper flakes, and a little salt/pepper. Cook stirring frequently for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes if you choose and continue to cook for a minute and then add chicken stock. Put a lid on the pot to bring the soup up to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Uncover the pot and add the tortellini, and cook for 5 minutes. Once pasta is cooked through, add the basil and parsley to taste. Taste and reseason with salt/pepper if needed. Serve and top with the cheese.


In the words of Rachael...Yumm-o!

I also like to add a little hot sauce to this soup at the table…Texas Pete please!


There you go Allanonn, old buddy! Three easy soups to get you started!

 Enjoy!