Homemade Chicken Soup for #SundaySupper and #Sandy Relief

This week's #SundaySupper event is very special to me and my family. I am Jersey born and bred. My hometown, which is on the shore, has been battered, bruised, and in parts, broken. This week, as the #SundaySupper team helps raise money for Sandy relief, I thought it would be appropriate to share a recipe that evokes a sense of warmth and healing: my mom's homemade chicken soup,

This soup is a staple in my house this time of year, up until spring comes. I especially make it when one of us is sick. My mom would do the same. She still does. In fact, she included a tupperware full of it in the first care package she sent to me in college. Chicken soup makes you feel good. It warms your body and soul. It soothes your throat and your mind. It gently fills your stomach. It is healthy comfort food.

Please enjoy this recipe that means so much to my family, and follow the links below help those families who need it after Sandy:


Ingredients

• 1 Whole Chicken (I buy it pre-cut into parts.)
• 5-6 whole carrots, peeled and chopped
• 5-6 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1 cup brown rice
• salt and pepper
• Pecorino Romano cheese

Tools

• Large pot
• Medium pot
• Love

Procedure

1. Put the chicken in your large pot and fill it with water. Salt the water. Place on stove and cook on medium high heat. Don't let it boil. That'll dry out the chicken. You want it to simmer for 2-3 hours, or until you can pull the chicken off the bone.
2. While the chicken simmers, chop your veggies. Place them in a medium pot and fill it with water. You may also use chicken stock. Cook over medium high heat. Once again, don't boil it. Cook about 30-40 minutes, until veggies are soft. When they're done, turn the heat on the veggies to low, or off. 
3. Once the chicken is done, lower that heat to low. Take out the chicken to cool. As it cools, clean out the remnants from the chicken stock. Once the chicken cools, pull it off the bone and shred it.
4. Combine your shredded chicken, veggies, and veggie stock into the pot with the chicken stock. Add bay leaves. Simmer on low.
5. Heat salted water to boil for your rice. Add to soup when finished. Salt and pepper to taste. 
6. Top with a sprinkle of Pecorino Romano and enjoy.

Making it Peanut-friendly:

• She doesn't like celery. Other than that, she LOVES this soup. Loves.

Sandy Relief:

Here are some recent pictures from Seaside Heights, NJ, taken by my niece. This is a few miles from where I grew up:

There used to be a boardwalk there.

Rides in the ocean and on the beach

The mayor of Seaside Heights is now considering leaving that roller coaster in the ocean as a tourist attraction. I'm really not sure how I feel about that. I can see wanting to recoup the tourism money lost from the storm. I can also see it as a painful reminder of what was lost. I just want the shore to come back any way it can. But first I want to see those who need help with day-to-day things get the help they need.

Please join the #SundaySupper team and consider donating what you can to one of these organizations:

Sandy NJ Relief Fund

Hope Force

Also check out these other #Sunday Supper recipes for Sandy relief:

Breakfast and Brunch:

• Orange Rolls from That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!!
• 12-Grain Buttermilk Pancake Mix from What Smells So Good
• Cranberry Bread from Home Cooking Memories

Comforting Entrees and Casseroles

• Pork Chop Casserole from In the Kitchen with Audrey
• Basic Lasagna from Fast Food 2 Fresh Food
• Italian Sausage and White Bean Bake from Girlichef
• Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Potatoes from Crispy Bits n Burnt Ends
• Turkey and vegetable pasta bake from Gotta Get Baked
• Baked Salmon with Cucumber Salad from The Urban Mrs.
• Enchilada Pasta Casserole from Dinners Dishes and Desserts
• King Ranch Chicken Casserole from Daily Dish Recipes
• Spaghetti Pizza Bake from Small Wallet Big Appetite
• Gluten Free Spaghetti Squash with Pancetta from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
• Cabbage Koftas from Soni's Food
• Bowtie Marinara with Goat Cheese from Family Foodie

Warming Soups and Sides:

• New England Clam Chowder from The Meltaways
• 3-Bean Chili Borracho from La Cocina de Leslie
• Italian Wedding Soup from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Soul Warming Butternut Squash Soup from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
• Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese "Croutons" from Damn Delicious
• Corn Basil Handpies from Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Manhattan Clam Chowder from Noshing with the Nolands
• Comforting Broccoli Cheese Soup from Juanita's Cocina
• San Antonio Chicken Tortilla Bake from The Weekend Gourmet
• Peruvian Steak and Potato Stir-fry from Hip Foodie Mom
• Simple Southern Red Potato Salad from Mama Mommy Mom
• Homemade Chicken Soup from Daddy Knows Less
• New Orleans Red Beans and Rice for Those in Need from The Catholic Foodie
• Bread in a Jar from Pippi's in the Kitchen
• Sweet and Sassy Pineapple Stuffing from In the Kitchen with KP

Sweet Endings:

• Pound Cake Loaf from Magnolia Days
• Fall Apple Pie from Cravings of a Lunatic
• Dairy-free Marble Cake {Marmorkuchen} from Galactopdx
• Mini Dark Chocolate Cakes with Mint Chocolate Chip Icing from The Realistic Nutritionist
• Orange Pound Cake from Basic n Delicious