Friday, November 16, 2007

Cheatin' Chicken Noodle Soup




This is what I make when I want something warm and wonderful, but I don't have a lot of time. I call it "Cheatin' Chicken Noodle Soup" because it's not totally made from scratch. I guess you could call it "semi-homemade," but I think someone's already come up with that name!



This isn't really a recipe; it's more of a guideline. Anyway, here goes:






Cheatin' Chicken Noodle Soup



Coat the bottom of your soup pot with extra virgin olive oil. Finely dice some onion, carrots, celery and garlic. Saute until soft. Salt and pepper.



Now you need some chicken broth. I have used the kind that comes in a cardboard container (like College Inn), and I have also used bouillion cubes and water. I have even used a mixture of the two. Whatever. You probably need about 6-8 cups.




Next you need to add some chicken. I use a rotisserie chicken from the deli counter. Just cut it up in small chunks. I use just the white meat, because my kids are picky eaters (if you can picture a 180 lb., 6 ft. boy/man as a picky eater), but use whatever you like.




Then all you need are the egg noodles. You can either cook them separately or boil them directly in the soup. Your choice.




OK, that's all there is to it. It reheats well, too, so make extra. Enjoy!
***
I'm so sorry I haven't been able to visit with all of you too much lately -- my husband hasn't been feeling well, and it turns out he needs to have minor, outpatient surgery tomorrow. I might not get to post for a few days. Please remember us in your prayers. Many thanks.

34 comments:

  1. Good morning! I hope your husband feels better soon. Your chicken soup should do the trick. I love those deli chickens. What a time saver.

    It's funny that you mention semi-homemade. You can't be called that unless you have some alcohol to go with it. Did you ever notice that she does a drink on almost every show and the other day she was on a special and was making a drink. Hummmmm.
    Just an observation.
    Nan

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  2. Aw Mary, hope everything is ok with your husband and I will say a prayer right now for him and the surgical staff.

    And the chicken noodle soup sounds good right about now. It's snowing here - probably won't amass to anything but it's snowing nonetheless.

    Love,
    Julie

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  3. Our prayers are with you and your husband.

    Chicken soup always tastes good on cold winter days. I'll be giving your short-cut a try. I love short-cuts :)

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  4. Mary,

    I will be thinking of you and your husband....hope everything is OK.

    Annie

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  5. I was so surprised to get to the bottom of your post and find out about your husband's surgery. My thoughts are with you and we wish him a speedy recovery. Looks like you may be making that delicious soup again soon!

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  6. I am sorry to hear your DH is not well. I will pray for a good outcome with his surgery.

    I do this semi~homemade as vegetable soup. You can even buy the soup mix of vegetables fresh in the grocery stores. It is great for a quick meal with some warm and fresh bread from the oven.

    ~~ Heidi ~~

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  7. Mary, prayers are with your hubby and the family. I pray his surgery will "do the trick" and he will be feeling perky in a hurry!
    That chicken soup sounds fabulous. I use the chicken from the deli for a LOT of things, including in my mom's FABULOUS Chicken and Dumplings recipe. I'll share that with ya'll some time....
    Blessings, bj

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  8. Hello Mary
    Sorry to hear that your husband is not feeling well ... keeping you in our thoughts & prayers.

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  9. Hey Mary - Get well soon to Mister Little Red House. I will be thinking of you all.

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  10. Good Morning Mary,

    I am so sorry to hear your dear hubby is not feeling well. I will keep him and your family in my prayers.

    Hugs,
    Dena

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  11. Mary,
    I will miss your daily posts; you are so dependable. Hope your hubby is better soon and that you can enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving.
    Janet

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  12. Your husband will be in my prayer's Mary and so will you. Enjoy your soup it looks like it will worm your your tummy.
    ginger

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  13. Uhmmm ... that hunger! During this period, here, we just need a hot and tasty dish! Must essre own good!no cheese?!?
    Ciao,Mary

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  14. The soup looks divine, and by the sounds, your husbands going to need it! My prayers and thoughts are with you and yours! Hope all goes well,
    Hugs,
    Abbie

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  15. Mary,
    My prayers are with you and your husband.
    The chicken soup looks delish!
    Donna

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  16. I useally do not comment,
    But when I read about your hasband
    I just wanted you to no that he will be in my prays.Hope he is doing well.

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  17. Mary, I hope your husband is going ok and will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. The cheatin' chicken soup looks very yummy!
    Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

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  18. Mmmmm, this looks yummy-I like short cut recipes. Take care and hope your husband feels better soon. You are in my thought and prayers. Linda

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  19. Soup looks great and semi is fine.I do hope your hubby does good.

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  20. Your soup looks yummy.. I hope your husband is feeling better soon. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  21. Hi Mary,
    Hope your husband has a speedy recovery from his surgery. I will say a prayer. I will also be sure to try your recipe. Thank you for sharing..and I will miss your posts as well. Hugs, Rosemary

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  22. Mary...my prayers for your Hubby...I hope all goes well. Don't feel bad...I am behind on my visiting too.
    Love,
    Robin

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  23. What a warm and delicious recipe you have shared with us. Even the picture is lovely! Nothing tastes better on a cold day than hot soup.

    Mary? I am so sorry your husband has been ill. Please know you will be in our thoughts and hearts and prayers.

    Love and hugs,
    Sue

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  24. What a fabulous recipe! Thanks for sharing, Mary. I hope your husband feels better soon. ~ hugs, Lynda xo

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  25. Mary, I hope your husband mends soon...I will keep you in my thoughts.

    The chicken soup sounds delicious!
    Penny

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  26. Best thoughts, hopes, wishes and prayers for fast recovery for your dearest husband! And -- of course -- the chicken soup would be just the healing touch needed at this time! Kindest regards,

    Jan at Rosemary Cottage

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  27. Cheatin' chicken soups sounds wonderful, I hope it does the trick and your husband starts feeling better very soon!

    Melissa

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  28. Mary dear - hope so much your husband is doing better - he is in my thoughts and prayers.

    How lovely the interior shots of your home are - warm and cozy and definitely very pretty. I agree that perhaps we learn the skill of entertaining from the way we were raised. I grew up in a home where parties and dinners were virtually unknown - it was after WW2 and times were very hard in England. My parents struggled just to feed our family - no money for partying with others! But my Mother made do and always made sure we had healthy food. Our home was clean and tidy but definitely not fancy.
    Now I live in my own small home and, like you, cannot throw huge parties with the limited space - but we've done brunches and buffets for a dozen or so and it's always been fun.

    I'm off to make soup now - we're vegetarian so I won't do the chicken one - perhaps butternut squash and parsnip!

    Hope you have a great Thanksgiving holiday and that your husband can enjoy the festive atmosphere of your lovely home.

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  29. My prayers are with you and your family!

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  30. Dear Mary, Hope all went well with your husband and I said a prayer for him and you. My husband had some minor outpatient surgery too this weekend. Seems there is always something. My husband's all time favorite comfort food is (semi) homemade chicken noodle soup with saltine crackers. Let me know next time you make it and I will send him right over. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. xoxo Lynn

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  31. Mary,
    I just wanted to add my prayers for your dear husband and for you as you care for your family. May the Lord grant him a speedy recovery..

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  32. I'm not sure how I found your site, but I'm glad that I did. I love your finds and your wonderful relationship with your home. Wishing your husband a quick recovery and also wishing you the best through his recovery.

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  33. Oh my- that soup looks so good I can smell it!!! thanks for sharing the recipe too!

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  34. Thanks sooooo much. My roommate and I both developed bronchitis (flu-like symptoms) simultaneously and need a feel-good comfort food that neither of our Mothers could conjur up. (Mine has passed, his is 400miles away) Anyway, I lost my recipe for homemade CN soup and stumbled over yours on the net. With just a few moderations (thanks for giving me the liberty to cheat) the soup DID the trick. I'm now one of your newest fans. Hope the hubby does well. With his care in your hands I'm sure he will. Our prayers are with your family.
    Thanks
    Matt & Ryan - Saint Louis, MO

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