Chicken soup

Chicken Soup: A Classic Recipe with Comforting Flavors

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings: 6-8

Chicken soup is a traditional dish from our cuisine, loved by millions of people. This warm and flavorful soup is not just a meal, but a hug in a bowl. It will provide you not only with a delicious taste but also with many nutritional benefits, thanks to the fresh and healthy ingredients. Let's embark together on this culinary adventure and discover how to prepare a perfect chicken soup!

Ingredients:

- 1 chicken (about 1.5 kg)
- 1 large onion
- 1 carrot
- 1 celery root
- 1 parsnip
- 3-4 peeled tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 2 eggs
- 1 liter of borscht (or to taste)
- Fresh green lovage
- Salt, to taste
- 3-4 liters of water (or enough to cover the chicken)

Step-by-step Preparation:

1. Preparing the chicken: Start by washing the chicken under a stream of cold water. Then, cut it into smaller pieces that will cook faster. This step not only helps with even cooking but also makes serving easier.

2. Boiling the chicken: In a large pot, add the cut chicken and pour in water (3-4 liters or enough to cover all the pieces of meat). Place the pot over medium heat and let it reach a boiling point. At this moment, foam will begin to form on the surface. Remember to remove it with a skimmer to achieve a clear and clean soup.

3. Preparing the vegetables: While the chicken is boiling, chop the onion, carrot, celery, and parsnip into small cubes. These vegetables will add not only flavor but also a pleasant texture to your soup.

4. Adding the vegetables: When the chicken has started to boil and the foam has been removed, add the chopped vegetables to the pot. They will cook together with the meat, infusing the soup with delicious flavors. Let it simmer over medium heat for about 30 minutes.

5. Tomatoes and tomato paste: When the meat is almost cooked, it’s time to add the peeled tomatoes (you can use fresh or canned tomatoes) and the three tablespoons of tomato paste. The tomatoes will enrich the soup with a pleasant acidity, while the paste will intensify the flavor. Add salt to taste.

6. Adding the borscht: Now, it’s time to decide how sour you want your soup to be. Add the borscht gradually, tasting constantly to achieve the desired level of acidity. Let it boil for another 10-15 minutes.

7. Preparing the eggs: In a bowl, beat the two eggs well. They will add a pleasant creaminess to the soup. Here’s a trick: if you want the eggs to be better incorporated into the soup, you can mix them with a ladle of hot soup before pouring them into the pot.

8. Finalizing the soup: When the soup is ready, turn off the heat and add the freshly chopped lovage. This will bring a note of freshness and enhance the flavors. Let the soup rest for a few minutes before serving.

9. Serving: Chicken soup can be served plain or with a slice of fresh bread. A delicious variation is to add a bit of hot pepper if you like spicy food. You can also serve it with sour cream for an extra creaminess.

Useful Tips:

- Choose a quality chicken: A naturally raised chicken will make a difference in taste and texture. Look for meat with a pink-golden color, without spots.
- Vegetables: You can experiment with other vegetables like zucchini or bell pepper to add variety.
- Variations: If you want a spicier soup, you can add a few slices of hot pepper during boiling. You can also replace the borscht with lemon juice for a different note.
- Storage: Chicken soup keeps well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You can freeze it, but it is recommended to add fresh lovage only when serving.

Nutritional Benefits:

Chicken soup is not only comforting but also very healthy. Chicken is an excellent source of protein, while the vegetables add fiber, vitamins, and essential minerals. The eggs contribute healthy fats and proteins, and the borscht adds a supply of probiotics, beneficial for digestion. A serving of chicken soup has about 200-250 calories, depending on the amount of oil or sour cream added when serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use frozen chicken? – Yes, but it is recommended to completely thaw it before cooking to achieve an even texture.
2. How can I make the soup thicker? – You can add noodles or rice, which will cook together with the soup.
3. How long can I keep the soup? – In the refrigerator, the soup keeps for up to 3 days, and in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Now that you have all the necessary information, it’s time to start cooking! Chicken soup will surely become a family favorite. Enjoy every word of the recipe and savor the aroma and warmth that this soup offers. Bon appétit!