Saturday, February 13, 2010

Easy Chicken Soup

Yesterday I really wanted some chicken soup, but Dustin was impatient and the kids needed to go to bed (they were very cranky!) So Instead of letting me do my thing, he pulls out a frozen pizza (that he bought) and threw it it in the oven... And honestly I am thankful he did that.. I was very tired and that pizza was pretty good! And b/c I did not have to cook I had time to do other things.. And I was in bed by 10:00!! I usually consider my self very lucky if I am getting ready for bed around 11:30. So the Chicken Soup had to wait for today!

Dustin woke up this Morning and cooked Blue Berry, Chocolate Chip and Plain Pancakes for Breakfast, and then we went outside and played in the snow for quiet a while.. Ansley had a lot of fun, Justus was upset b/c the Dogs were bothering him, but as long as they were not near him he has a blast as well! The kids were exhausted by the time we came back in. They laid down for a quick nap and the soup making began!! I tried looking for a recipe but couldn't find one. So finally I decided to make my own.. I am sure someone else has made this exact same thing before, it just seemed to easy for it to be a "first". But b/c I did not follow a recipe i will call it my own!

Here it is:


Easy Chicken Soup








What You Need!

-1 1/2 LB Cut up Chicken Breast
-Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
-2 TBSP Minced Garlic
-1/4 Cup Chopped Onion
-Sea Salt
-Black Pepper
-Box of Swanson's Chicken Broth (or whatever brand you prefer)
-2 cans of Great Northern Beans
-1 Can of Italian Style Diced Tomato's
-1 Small Bag of Frozen Classic Mix Veggies (Corn, Carrots, Green Beans, & Peas)
-1- 1lb box of Ditalini Pasta (NOTE: I only used 1/2 a box of this and this is Barilla Brand) You can Actually use any small pasta you want
-Cheddar Cheese (optional)




Directions:
-In a Large Pot Pour enough EVOO to cover bottom of pot. Add Chicken, Onions, and Minced Garlic. Then Add some Sea Salt (how ever much you want) and pepper. Turn Heat to Medium High and Cook Chicken thoroughly.

-Then Add The Whole Box of Chicken Broth, Great Northern Beans, Tomato's, And Frozen Veggies.
-You may want to Add a few cups of water

-Then Add desired amount of Pasta. After this is all stirred together add a little more EVOO, Salt and Pepper. It will probably take about 12 minutes for the pasta to cook. Make sure you stir this often so the pasta does not settle to the bottom of the pan before it gets ready.

I had some Betty Crocker Garlic Cheddar Biscuit Mix that I threw together real quick while the Pasta was cooking in the soup. You can serve whatever Bread you want or No Bread at all! Top the Soup with Some Cheddar Cheese!
Enjoy, and let me know what you think.
-Mary Beth

2 comments:

  1. Hey this is what's for dinner tonight

    Mini Cannelloni Bake
    Ingredients

    * 1 pound ziti with no lines or ditalini
    * 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    * 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of ground beef
    * 1 medium onion, chopped
    * 3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
    * 2 boxes frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed of excess water
    ( I just used one)
    * 3 tablespoons butter
    * 3 tablespoons flour
    * 2 cups milk
    * A few grates fresh nutmeg

    * Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    * 1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

    Yields: 6 servings
    Preparation

    Preheat broiler.

    Place a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring it up to a boil. Cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain and reserve in the pot it was cooked in.

    While the pasta is cooking, place a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons EVOO, about 2 turns of the pan. Add the ground meat to the pan and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until evenly browned throughout, about 6-7 minutes.
    Step

    Add the onion and garlic to the pan and continue cooking until the onion has softened, 6-7 minutes. Add the spinach and cook about 1 minute to heat through, then season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
    Step

    While the onions are cooking, place a medium-size pot over medium heat and melt the butter. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and cook the mixture for about 1 minute. Whisk the milk into the butter-flour mixture and cook until the liquid has thickened up. Season the sauce with nutmeg, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
    Step

    Add the meat-onion mixture and the sauce to the pot with the cooked pasta and stir to evenly combine. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and sprinkle the grated cheese over the top. Place the dish under the broiler until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

    While the casserole is browning up, prepare your favorite side salad and serve it alongside the pasta bake.


    My schedule is calming down so just let me know when you want to get together.

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  2. Lauren, this sounds like it will be tomorrow's dinner!! By the way I went grocery shopping tonight. I spent $113.96 and saved $116.56 this was also including some diapers, 1 gallon of milk, and soy milk and a few other things that cost more.. I was very Pleased!!

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