Nothing more I adore than chicken soup!

I have been feeling poorly and was diagnosed with a sinus infection on Monday. I figured the cure all (along with the abx) would be some homemade chicken soup.

I started with a whole, frozen approx. 4lb bird purchased at my sister-in-law's sister's farm (did you get that?). They are a bit smaller than store bought, but the taste cannot be beat. Nothing beats buying locally grown meat/poultry!

I placed it in a large stock pot, covered it with water and simmered it until it was cooked through. Then I removed the bird, strained the cooking liquid into a large bowl and put the pot back on the stove on med. high heat adding some EVOO to the bottom of the pan.

I added:

1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 centers of organic celery hearts (leaves included), sliced
4 organic carrots, sliced
4 small locally farmed turnips
5 medium organic yukon gold potatoes
1 Tbsp. minced organic garlic

Once the veggies were a bit tender, I added in the strained cooking liquid and removed the meat from the bird that had now cooled enough to touch and added it back into the pot.

I then added enough water to bring the liquid up to close to the top of the pot (about 6 cups) and added in the following:

2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary (picked from my herb bucket outside my front door)
2 sprigs of lemon balm (which grows next to the rosemary)
2 tsp. dried basil
2 tsp. dried thyme
2 tsp. dried oregano (I probably would have used fresh, but was too lazy to walk to the garden plot)
freshly ground peppercorn
2 tsp. chicken base

I simmered this for about an hour and a half. Tasted the soup, added in salt and pepper to taste and then topped it with stew dumplings (a family favorite). I also served it with some Parmesan biscuits and leftover honey butter.


Stew Dumplings

1 1/2 c. flour
1 Tbsp. cold unsalted organic butter
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. milk

Mix together all the dry ingredients. Pinch in the butter until it is well blended. Add the milk and stir until soft dough comes together. Drop by spoonful onto gently boiling soup/stew, cover and let steam for about 20 minutes.


Baking Powder Biscuits
Preheat oven to 425

3 c. flour
4-6 Tbsp. cold organic unsalted butter
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 c. milk
**I usually add in about a cup of cheese with the butter**

Mix together the dry ingredients. Pinch in the butter until all is well blended. Add in the milk, stir until dough comes together and then place on flour surface. Knead just until dough is mixed well and cut with biscuit cutter. Place on silpat lined baking sheet and bake at 425 for about 20 minutes or until golden brown)

Makes about 12 2" biscuits.