So while the babysitter is on here (Sesame Street mesmerizes Mr. Two) I thought I’d post my most favorite-ist (I know, not a real word) soup recipe!  It’s from one of my favorite food blogs For the Love of Cooking.  I made this ALL winter long and have made it at least once this summer.  I love it and it freezes well, so I would make it and freeze some for my Dad.  As most of you reading know, he has been fighting the bitch and has lots and lots of nausea.  This soup is something that he has been able to eat even when he wasn’t feeling well.  Therefore, I have tried to keep some in their freezer.  (and it’s time to make more!)  Of course, you don’t have to be sick to enjoy chicken soup! It’s flavorful, delicious, and low fat…of course, I like to have mine with a thick slab of fresh baked bread 😉

If you like chicken soup, you will LOVE this.

1 tsp olive oil

1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
2 carrots, diced
3 cloves of garlic, diced finely    (I usually use 2 cloves, just my preference)

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp dried basil

Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

1 tsp chicken bouillon

5-6 fresh basil leaves, chopped (chiffonnade)

6 cups of homemade chicken stock (store bought is good too)

2 cups of roast chicken meat, diced into bite sized chunks

4 oz dried orzo pasta or whatever flavor you like

Soup:

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add onion and stir for 1-2 minutes; add carrots, celery and garlic then stir for 60 seconds. Stir in chicken stock, diced chicken, bay leaf, dried basil, chicken bouillon then season with salt and pepper. Let simmer for 1 hour; bring to a boil and add dried orzo pasta and cook per instructions. Taste and re-season if needed.

As I said, this soup is really good, easy to make (always a plus for me) and almost makes me ready for Fall!!  Cooler temps, jeans, boots, sweaters, fall decorations….I’m gettin’ there. But right now, it’s still 90 degrees! (but I did make sure I had all the ingredients to make this very soon!)