Rainy day soup for health and happiness
There’s a soft, steady rain falling here today and I decided that it would be a perfect day for a little homemade soup! This is a very easy recipe, all you need is a slow cooker and 6-8 hours to let it cook. No, seriously, if you think you can’t cook, try this recipe. I couldn’t boil water properly ten years ago and recipes like this are how I started learning and building confidence in my cooking skills.
I always make a double batch and freeze leftovers for lunches throughout the coming days. This makes A LOT, freezes well and I’ve kept it frozen for up to a month (it never lasts very long at our house, so I’m not sure how long exactly it would keep).
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (raw, no need to cut up)
1 lb of fresh mushrooms (cleaned and sliced or chunked into bite size pieces)
Approx. 1 dozen baby carrots (cleaned and cut into bite size pieces as needed)
3 ribs of celery (cleaned and cut into bite size pieces)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced (I just use the pre-minced packed in oil)
salt and pepper to taste (if you have no idea, start with ½ tsp pepper and 1 tsp salt and adjust as needed)
Clean and cut up the carrots, celery and mushrooms into bite size pieces. They can be different sizes, shapes, it doesn’t matter. Dump everything in the slow cooker, add 6-8 cups of water (basically until all ingredients are submerged), put the lid on and cook on low for 8-10 hours OR high for 4-6 hours (depending on how quick you want it done).
Then, remove the chicken breasts and shred/tear/rip them into bite size pieces. Return to slow cooker and replace the lid. Turn heat to low (if it’s not already) and let it cook another 20 minutes or so.
Serve over rice or with fresh baked bread.
Note: I buy my chicken in bulk and freeze it and often don’t think to defrost it in advance. If this happens, you can quick defrost it partway in the microwave and then just turn your slow cooker to HIGH for 6-8 hours. Check that the chicken appears done when you remove it for shredding (should be no traces of pink and all juices should be clear). If you have any doubt that it is done, return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for another hour. (Don’t worry, you can’t overcook this soup unless you’re getting up around the 12 hour mark!)
This is a great recipe to throw together in the morning before heading out for the day. By the time you get home, it should be done and all you have to do is shred the chicken up and enjoy! (Not to mention that feeling when you walk through the front door and the house smells like home cooked goodness!)
Basil: Protection, happiness, peace, luck
Bay leaf: Cleansing, healing, prosperity
Thyme: Strength, health, healing
Garlic: healing, protection luck
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