Chicken soup

Chicken soup with fresh vegetables

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 6

I invite you to embark on a journey together to prepare a delicious chicken soup, full of flavor and vibrant colors. It is a traditional Romanian dish, perfect for a family meal or to impress your friends with your culinary skills. Here’s how to achieve the perfect chicken soup with fresh vegetables and unmistakable flavors.

Ingredients:
- 1 small chicken (buy back, wings, drumsticks, and if you wish, a thigh)
- 1 white onion
- 1 red onion
- 1 bunch of green onions (optional)
- 1 small celery
- 1 parsley (for flavor)
- 1 green bell pepper (I prefer the sweet pepper for its sweetness)
- 1 red capia pepper
- 1 carrot
- 1 bunch of fresh lovage
- 1 bunch of parsley (optional)
- Celery leaves
- A few potatoes or noodles (to taste)
- For souring: borscht or tomato paste

Preparation:
1. Start by cleaning and washing all the vegetables. Chop the white and red onions into small cubes, and you can grate the carrot and celery to add a fine texture to the soup. I recommend using fresh vegetables, as they are key for a rich-tasting soup.

2. In a large pot, place the cut chicken (back, wings, drumsticks, and if using, the thigh) to boil. Add cold water until the chicken is completely covered. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the temperature to maintain a gentle boil. The foam that forms on the surface should be removed to achieve a clear liquid.

3. After about 30 minutes, add the white onion, red onion, grated celery, and carrot. Let all the ingredients boil together for 15 minutes to combine the flavors.

4. Next, add the chopped green bell pepper and red capia pepper, and a few diced potatoes if you choose to use them. If you prefer noodles, you can add them later, 10 minutes before turning off the heat.

5. After about 20 minutes, add the borscht or tomato paste to sour the soup, adjusting the amount according to your taste. If using borscht, it’s good to bring it to a boil separately before adding it to the soup.

6. Finally, don’t forget to add the chopped lovage and fresh parsley to intensify the soup's flavor. Let it boil for another 5-10 minutes, then turn off the heat.

7. Serve the chicken soup hot, with a slice of fresh bread or polenta on the side. It is a comforting dish, ideal for cooler days.

Practical tips:
- You can replace the chicken with turkey for a lighter version.
- If you want to enhance the flavor, you can also add spices like paprika or pepper.
- The soup can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated the next day, with the flavor becoming even richer.

Possible variations:
- For a heartier soup, add peas or green beans.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can omit the meat and use only vegetables, adding tofu or seitan for protein.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that’s left is to start cooking and enjoy a delicious chicken soup!

 Ingredients: a small chicken (back, wings, cutlery, and possibly a thigh) 1 white onion 1 red onion 1 bunch of green onion optional 1 small celery 1 parsley 1 green bell pepper (I used a gherkin) 1 red capia pepper 1 carrot 1 bunch of fresh lovage 1 bunch of parsley optional Celery leaves A few potatoes or noodles To sour borscht or vegetables tomato paste