For several years my Bible study ladies have been saying "You must write a cook book!" I have fed them many wonderful meals, and have had the comment many times, "Do you EVER make a bad meal??" Once I did, but that is for another blog!;)
Chicken Stew is one of our favorites in this house.
Here goes!
Left over chicken from a meal. Can be breasts, needed 2, or any other part that your family enjoys.
4 cans of chicken broth
2 cans of cream of celery
4 carrots, cut up
1/4 bag (small) of frozen peas
2 tablespoons of sugar (oh yes, my Mom put sugar in EVERYTHING!)
spices you like, I use pepper, thyme, savory, parsley. Just shake it in until it looks pretty.
1 cup of brown rice. (cooked ahead of time, following the directions on the bag. I sometimes cook up the whole bag, then freeze 1 c portions in simple ziplock sandwich baggies, using them to thicken up whatever soup I am making.)
1 or 2 cans of water or milk
Put the water and broth in a large boiler pot.
Add chicken, boil, then simmer for approx 30 mins.
The chicken is pre-cooked in the oven with whatever spices you like. I always cook my chicken in at least 1 cup of water with tinfoil covering the pan. It makes it nice and tender, always.
Add the spices.
Then add the carrots, Boil for another 15 mins.
Add the 2 cans of cream of celery. If you don't have cream of celery, use cream of chicken.
The soup can be on medium heat now.
Add the frozen peas, cook 5 more minutes,
Add the brown rice.
Leave on stove on Low heat until your guests arrive.
Stir your soup every 5 minutes or so, just making sure it is not sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Add water if you think it is getting to clumpy, or for xtra creaminess, add milk. I prefer to cook with whole milk. or in a pinch, evaporated milk.
Oh, add the 2 table spoons of sugar while simmering, waiting for your family or company to arrive.
You just made your first very easy soup!
It is super yummy to come home to after a soccer game, or cross country meet, or being out in the woods hunting. I always cook extra chicken and freeze it, so I have it on hand to make soup with.
Enjoy!
