Time for Reality Check....Chicken Soup for the Soul!

Chicken Soup for Flavor, Comfort, and for the Soul is always a welcome, whether you are on a diet...or not, but just enjoying  a nice cup, or bowl  of fresh homemade chicken soup!

As you know, I have announced my diet to the whole world, and also mentioned which kind of diet I am pursuing~
Well, I still stick to my WeightWatchers Diet that I lost 35 lbs in 3 months, which was 7 yrs ago, and have gained the weight back...only. because I just did not care, or keep track of what I'm actually eating...and that does add up over months and years...do not fool yourself, because, it does make a difference to keep track of what you are eating!

I think good home made soup is the best therapy for the soul, and also for a healthy DIET! Since I chose Weight Watchers Diet online, this time...knowing my point system, this is the best, of the best chicken noodle soup recipe that I already have been making for years, and years, but you can always revise it!  As long as you have the basic chicken soup (stock recipe) you can always revise it to your liking! The best part of it, this is acceptable on every diet you have decided to join!

Basic Chicken Stock

adapted from Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook

4 lbs of chicken wings, legs, and  thighs, or just all chicken legs, and thighs

12 cups of water

1 large onion quartered

a bunch of carrots, scrubbed, and ends cut off

1 bunch of parsnsip scrubbed, and ends cut off

1 bunch of celery, ends cut off

a bunch of fresh flat leaf Italian parsley

a bunch of fresh dill

12 black peppercorns 

salt to taste

2 Tbsp. of organic vegetable soup base

2 bay leaves

In a large stockpot, combine chicken and water; bring to boil.Skim off the foam that rises to the surface. Add onion, carrots, and celery parsley, dill peppercorn, salt, bay leaves, and salt. Reduce the heat, and simmer , partially covered, skimming off any foam and fat, occasionally for at least 2 hours.

In a mesh colander, pour the stock over, and strain the stock. Discard the vegetables, since they are overcooked any way, and refrigerate the stock. At this point, you can use it for any other soups, sauces, or which ever recipe you prefer for an amazing recipe! Points value-1

linking to: Full Plate Thursday 1-5-12 @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage

 Thursday Favorite Things 17 Blog Hop @ Katherines Corner 

Chicken Noodle Soup...for the Soul

recipe, by Elisabeth

2 quarts=8 cups home made chicken broth 

1 1/2 cups diced 1 inch pieces of carrots

1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion

1 cup 1 inch pieces of celery 

chicken pieces from parts, separated

16 ounces of pappardelle noodles, or any other noodles

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tbsp organic vegetable soup base

salt, and freshly ground pepper

2 Bay Leaves

In a large soup pot, combine, the broth and all the ingredients, and spices;bring to a simmer, and after that, gently simmer with the vegetables, until they are tender...approx 25 minutes.  Serve soup over noodles, or matzo balls!  Remove bone from chicken parts, and add  chunks of pieces to the soup. At the end of cooking time, you can drizzle 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil for a more golden color, and added flavor.Adjust, seasoning, and serve. You can garnish with your favorite chopped fresh herbs.(I added snipped fresh chives) Yield, 8 servings. Points Value 5.

Cajun Oven Fried Chicken

I hesitated to post this photo of my Cajun Oven Fried Chicken, because it seems like that's all I post is chicken dishes, and of course dishes, as in special thrift find dishes, platter, etc. There are endless possibilities to with chicken. Our family never gets tired of chicken, so therefore it is a staple dish in our family. Although this was my simple little dinner, I thought I would share this recipe, and the special flat bread I bought at my local, all time favorite supermarket, besides Whole Foods. Another story about that.

 Cajun Oven Fried Chicken

! whole chicken cut up in 8 parts, or

chicken parts, of your choice

1 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning

or a (mix of your own)

1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk

salt, and pepper to taste

1 cup Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)

Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine spices and buttermilk in a shallow dish. Dip chicken pieces one at a time, into the buttermilk mixture, dredge in Panko. Place chicken pieces on a baking sheet, lined with parchment paper. Lightly coat chicken with cooking spray. Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes or until done. Turn chicken over, after 20 minutes. 8 pieces servings

I like to freeze flat bread, pita, and any other kinds of quick breads that I am not using at the time. As you can see, this flat bread was purchased about 3 days before the expiration date, and had I not froze it, it would have expired. That goes to show you that it's all natural, and does not have a long shelf life, therefore, if you don't use it up right away, you only have literally 2 days, and it will start to dry, or get stale.  I grilled the bread in my cast iron grill pan, just barely heated it up, and I'll tell you, I cold have eaten up all three large pieces, just like that, with nothing else. This was incredibly so good, that I have to keep buying this, and one day, make my own, if I get ambitious enough for it.



I've also neglected lately, to show off my thrift finds treasures. This one really is a treasure. "Holly Hobby" how I always loved everything Holly Hobby, which became later, "Precious Moment". This plate, is by American Greeting Co. in Cleveland, Ohio, my precious home town. The year, 1972. Can you believe this? Takes you back, doesn't it? Don't know why no one grabbed this...it was displayed at Goodwill, on their Green wares rack. $1.99. Not a chip, not a scratch. How could any Holly Hobby lover would go wrong with that.? I pulled this out from back of my kitchen cabinet, did not even display this, and I served my Cajun Chicken dinner on this plate for myself. Made me feel pretty special. I gave something like this to my mom back in those days as a gift, but this was not the one. I'm keeping some one else's treasure, that was given to their mom, and I guess that particular mom passed away. It's usually like that. Sometimes you walk in there, and you'll see a whole set of beautiful china, matching coffee cups, and other items, that you just feel, another person passed away, and the family donated it. Well, in this case, I gave it a good home!