Chicken Noodle Soup

I always make this soup on a Saturday using

dinner leftovers from the week before.

It's a staple in our house if someone is sick.

We call it our "Sickie Soup".

I have given it to sick friends and relatives

and it always makes everyone feel better.

Chicken Noodle Soup

2-4 boxes Mrs. Grass Soup Mix

2 rotisserie chicken breasts diced

Baby carrots diced

Celery and the leaves diced

various leftover veggies (explained below)

spoonful of minced garlic from the jar

My soup base is Mrs. Grass Soup Mix

which comes in these 2-box sets.

For each box, use 4 cups of water in a stock pot.

This day I used three boxes...12 cups water.

The kits come with a flavor packet and the golden nugget.

I don't use the golden nugget because it is essentially

chicken fat which I don't want to add, but

you can decide for yourself.

Add the season packet to the water, turn on high

and bring to a boil.

You can also use chicken broth and

add 1 chicken bouillon cube per 4 cups.

While that's heating, dice up carrots.

I never measure...just add what you like.

Add to soup immediately because the

carrots and celery take the longest to cook.

Remove the large, outer stalks of celery

and use the tender inner stalks.

Note the lovely leaves tucked inside of

the inner stalks. They add wonderful flavor to the soup.

Simply slice the inner stalks and leaves together like this:

You will have a lovely mix of chopped stalks and

flavorful leaves.  Add to soup.

All week long, I save any leftover veggies from dinner in one

container for soup.

Cut up into bite-sized pieces and add to the pot.

(If you have peas, don't add until the very end or they'll get mushy)

This week, I had some leftover rice and broccoli,

so I added that, too.

You can also add leftover pasta and any other veggies you

have in the fridge.

While that's all simmering on the stove,

cut up the chicken and add to the soup

Simmer for about a half hour,

or until the carrots and celery are tender.

Now add my secret ingredient...

a big spoonful of minced garlic.

AWESOME flavor!

Stir in the noodles from the soup mix kit

and boil for an additional 10 minutes.

You will have a hearty, healthy soup

that makes everyone feel better!