My Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

When I buy a rotisserie chicken, I don't let any of it go to waste.  The first

night, we will just have the warm chicken.  David likes light meat, I like

dark, and Bentley ~ well, Bentley is not picky about it.  He just loves

everything.

Last night I made curried chicken salad with what meat was left.

Then, I am left with a carcass.  Does it go in the trash???

NO!!!

I used the carcass to make chicken soup.  Let me show you how I

do it ....

I get out my three quart stockpot.  I find this is the perfect size

pot for just a few bowls of soup.

I put the carcass in the pot, ~ everything, bones, skin and all.  I add a stalk

of celery and add the celery leaves too.  I always look for the celery with 

the most leaves when I shop.  The leaves have lots of flavor.  I add two or

three carrots (depending on size), and a whole onion.  Don't peal the onion,

just cut off the root.  The outer wrapping of the onion actually gives the soup

great flavor.   Then I pour in 32 ounces of boxed chicken broth.  If that's 

not enough liquid, I will top it off with some water.  That's it.  Easy.

Put on the lid, bring to a boil, and then turn down to simmer.  Let it 

cook several hours.  Strain and either add noodles, or dumplings.

I had a bowl of this soup for lunch today ~ nirvana!

When I was a very little girl, my parents took me to a very popular restaurant

not far from our house.  Knowing that I really liked chicken noodle soup,

and being a very picky eater, my parents told me that this restaurant was

famous for their delicious soups, so my Mom ordered some for me.  When 

the soup arrived the waiter stopped and asked us if we were enjoying our

soup.  My lower lip dropped and I looked very sad.  The waiter asked

me what was the matter and I said .... but where's the noodle???

My parents told that story for years, much to my embarrassment.  So if 

you come to my house and I serve you some homemade chicken noodle

soup, don't be surprised if you get a little broth with your noodles ;-)

Don't worry about Bentley ~ he always gets some broth.  He likes

it with, and without noodles.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley