loading...
Chicken soup

Chicken noodles soup. A historical delicacy and almost a medicine

Hello everyone!

This week I bring you a delicious starter ideal for cold winter days. This traditional dish already was served in the 18th century at the restaurant "Champs d'Oiseau", the first known restaurant in European history.

Chamos d'Oiseau

Chef Boulanger served restorative broths to restore the stomachs of his guests. These soups were nothing more than a mixture of vegetables and bitter herbs doctors used in the Middle Ages as medicine. Chef added a few ingredients to make the recipe more delicious and nutritive.

"veinte ad me omnes qui stomacho laboratis et ego restaurabo vos"

That means: "come to me, man with a tired stomach, and I will restore you". You could read these words at the entrance of the restaurant. Paris 1765.

Almost a medicine

Garlic


In the 12th century, the physicist and philosopher Maimonides recommended chicken soup to treat the common cold. Recent studies have shown that the philosopher was right. The scientific basis is that chicken soup hinders the movement of immune system cells called neutrophils, which go to infected sites and release enzymes that destroy viruses and bacteria, promote the release of mucus and attack the body's own cells, causing tissue inflammation. In this way, chicken soup would reduce the unpleasant symptoms of colds, reducing inflammation of the throat and nasal mucous membranes without reducing the antiviral activity of our immune system.

Recipe

Chicken soup

Beyond its health properties, Chicken soup can be a perfect starter for any table with various dishes. For example, it is very common in Spain to start the Christmas meal with a chicken soup or consommé to prepare the stomach and better digest what comes after.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • Water 3 L
  • Half Chicken
  • Carrot 3 u
  • Celery 2 steek
  • Leek 1 u
  • Onion 1 u
  • A head Garlic
  • Noodles 200 g
  • Salt
  • Cloves 4 u

Thyme

  • Bouquet Garni
  • A Bay leaf
  • A branch of Thyme
  • Parsley
  • Tarragon
  • A green celery

Preparation

  • First, prepare the chicken. Wash and blanch it in plenty of water for a minute to remove any impurities and traces of blood.
  • Take it out from the water and place it in a large pot with 3 litres of new cold water.

How to do chicken soup

  • Add the vegetables washed and peeled into the pot.( Leek, carrot, onion, garlic and celery).

Vegetables for the soup

  • Set the pot over low heat and let it cook for two or three hours.

Chicken soup

  • When it comes to the boil, you will notice that foam accumulates on the surface. Remove it with the help of a ladle as it appears. This will produce a clearer broth, free of fat and cleaner of aromas.

Chicken broth

  • Fifteen minutes of remaining cooking time, add what in France is called "Bouquet Garni", a bunch of herbs that subtly flavour the chicken stock.
  • I have chosen bay leave, parsley, thyme and tarragon.

Chicken soup

  • After those 15 minutes with the "Bouquet Garni" in and two hours of cooking, filter the broth and reserve the vegetables and meat.
  • This first broth, called white stock, chicken stock or "Fondo Blanco", can be used to prepare other dishes, such as sauces, creams or, as in this case, chicken soup.

Chicken broth

With the beef (dark) stock and the fumet, the chicken (white) stock is the most commonly used in today's kitchen for countless preparations.

  • Pour the filtered white stock into a new pot and cook it over medium heat during thirty minutes.
  • While reducing, cut the vegetables reserved into small cubes.
  • Do the same with the chicken meat.

How to do chicken soup

  • Add the vegetables , chicken and the noodles five minutes remaining to finish.

Chicken soup

  • Add chopped parsley, salt and pepper to taste.
  • When is ready serve in a bowl and enjoy.

Chiken soup

For me, there is nothing better than that feeling of comfort that comes when you are served the chicken soup piping hot, and you poke your nose in to discover the fantastic aromas. So I hope you will enjoy this restorative and delicious winter soup. And if you were cold, you would feel better after that.

Have a Tasty Day!

4 Ratings | Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Chef H. Delgado Ebook

I’m Chef H. Delgado

It is a pleasure for me to invite you to discover the best dishes and ingredients of Spanish cuisine. Receive my best Spanish recipes via e-mail

Latest entries of my blog

Patatas a la Importancia
Recipes

Spanish Potatoes Stew Recipe, Ingenuity in Times of Hunger

Never before have potatoes been given so much importance as in this recipe. I say this not only because these potatoes are incredibly delicious, but also because the Spanish name for this recipe is; "Patatas a la Importancia".

Read more
Glass of Asturian Cider
Ingredients

Cider Culture in Asturias: Tradition, Crafting, and Festive Customs

Asturias, one of Spain's lushest and most picturesque regions, is home to a delicious drink that is more than a mere drink. In Asturias, cider is interwoven with the fabric of its people, culture, and history.

Read more
Fava beans and octopus stewes
Recipes

Stewed Broad Beans with Octopus and an Oriental Twist

I present a traditional recipe from northern Spain. A delectable stew renowned in the Asturias region called “ Fabes con Pulpo”. But this time, I've given an umami essence by simmering the fava beans with Kombu seaweed, Nori, and an additional texture with the inclusion of wood ear mushrooms.

Read more
Fennel and sausages stew
Recipes

Fennel and Chorizo Stew Recipe

I present to you a delightful and comforting soup, perfect for tackling chilly winter days. This fennel and chorizo stew is a culinary gem that has stood the test of time, passed down through generations in the Mediterranean region of Spain, particularly in the beautiful region of Andalusia.

Read more
Plants-based recipes
Recipes

Spanish Vegan Delights, 10 Delicious Plant-Based Recipes

I've crafted this special document to provide you with various options that go beyond the ordinary, exploring creative combinations of fresh and nutritious ingredients, from comforting dishes to light and refreshing choices.

Read more
Recipes

Quick Pickling Vegetable Skewers

This week, I've rescued and updated one of my favourite recipes to start the year eating healthy and being more sustainable. I've put a spin on the classic Spanish pickled vegetable skewer "Banderilla," using a part of broccoli almost no one uses, the stems.

Read more
Chef H. Delgado Ebook
Chef H. Delgado Ebook

Subscribe now and get a free copy of my first e-book

The selection of these 12 old recipes of humble origin tries to show the more representatives products of my country. Enjoy!