Chicken Soup for the Sick Soul

After livin' the life with some fellow divas in "Hotlanta" this weekend, the common cold has decided to rear its ugly head. Leave it to me to catch a cold during the final hoorah of the summer, sheesh! Despite the stuffy nose, scratchy throat, watery eyes and achy muscles, one must always find a way to BLOG! I have continually wondered why we have turned to that steamy, sodium-laden concoction we know as Chicken Noodle Soup for comfort during our sicknesses. It was only until I found and tested this recipe that I truly knew how much solace a piping hot bowl of this magic stew can provide. Besides the homey and hearty taste of the soup, medical research has proved that some components of chicken soup spark an anti-inflammatory effect in the body that could lead to temporary ease of the illness. This recipe also contains fresh ginger which has been used for many moons to cure everything from congestion, nausea, unsettled stomachs and now even heart disease! Whether this poultry filled potion is for you or for a friend in need, consider freezing half of the batch for future use as flu season is upon us.

Asian Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients

1 pound boneless and skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 cup water

2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into bite-size sticks

3 cans (14 ounces each) chicken broth

2 tablespoons vinegar, rice

2 1/2 teaspoons ginger, fresh

2 ounces rice noodles

6 ounces frozen pea pods, thawed

1 tablespoon soy sauce

Directions

In a skillet, cook chicken in hot oil just until browned. Add cooked chicken, carrots, broth, water, vinegar, soy sauce and ginger into a slow-cooker (crock-pot). Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 4 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 to 3 hours. Stir in noodles and pea pods and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 10 to 15 minutes more or until noodles are tender.

For easy transport to a sick neighbor or friend, ladle this super soup into a large mason jar and put the lid on tight. For added flair, slip a square of red gingham cloth under the lid's rim and tie a copy of the recipe on with raffia. Who knows, maybe a jar of Chicken Noodle Soup for the Sick Soul may land on your doorstep one day!

Thanks for all the well wishes and be sure to stay tuned, dahlin's!