Karen’s Favourite Recipe
If asked what my favourite recipe is, it’s got to be my mother’s chicken soup. My daughter is so obsessed with it that if my mother comes to the house with a pot of the stuff, I have to siphon off my portion and hide it before she eats it all!
My mother’s from Southern Ireland and grew up on a dairy farm and I think this is just a basic family recipe that has been handed down. It’s quite starch-based and looks a bit odd when you see the recipe written down (potatoes and rice?) but my goodness, don’t mess with it. It works!
- Knob of butter, melted in a pan.
- Chicken strips (preferably the leftovers from a roast the day before)
- Chicken stock (again, boiled up from the roast leftovers the day before)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, grated
- 1 baking potato, grated
- ½ cup rice
- Mixed herbs
- Seasoning
Melt the butter in a pan and gently saute the onion until it changes colour.
Add the chicken stock and bring to heat.
Add the grated potato and carrots.
Season and stir.
Add the chicken strips and rice.
Simmer for several hours.
Serve with a crusty bread roll and salted butter.
Yum!
HarperCollins | Barnes & Noble | Amazon
In the wake of a heartbreaking betrayal, a young woman leaves the Scottish countryside to find her destiny in three of the most exciting cities in the world—New York, Paris, and London—in this funny and triumphant tale of fulfillment, friendship, and love.
Ten years ago, a young and naïve Cassie married her first serious boyfriend, believing he would be with her forever. Now, her marriage is in tatters and Cassie has no career or home of her own. Though she feels betrayed and confused, Cassie isn’t giving up. She’s going to take control of her life. But first she has to find out where she belongs . . . and who she wants to be.
Over the course of one year, Cassie leaves her sheltered life in rural Scotland to stay with her best friends living in the most glamorous cities in the world: New York, Paris, and London. Exchanging comfort food and mousy hair for a low-carb diet and a gorgeous new look, Cassie tries each city on for size as she searches for the life she’s meant to have . . . and the man she’s meant to love.
A little about Karen:
Karen Swan began her career in fashion journalism before giving it all up to raise her three children and an ADHD puppy, and to pursue her ambition of becoming a writer. She lives in the forest in Sussex, writing her books in a treehouse overlooking the Downs. Her first novel, Players, was published in 2010, followed by Prima Donna and Christmas at Tiffany’s in 2011.
Learn more about Karen and her books here: Website| Facebook | Twitter @KarenSwan1 | Pinterest | Goodreads
GIVEAWAY:
Karen is going to give away one copy of Christmas at Tiffany’s.
Please leave her a comment and tell her your favorite soup recipe (feel free to share said recipe)
Also please leave your email address so I can contact you.
Cream of Parisian Soup
6cans potato soup
3cans milk
1 bag California blend veggies
1cup chopped ham
Garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
LOL… I don’t cook but my mom makes a chicken noodle soap that is to die for 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Oh, Karen, thanks so much for this “Best Chicken Soup Ever” recipe from your family. 🙂 I have a couple of questions about the recipe: How many servings would you say is in this recipe and what herbs do you use?
As for a fave soup recipe of mine, it is vegetable beef. A couple of secrets that “make the difference” from other veg/beef soups: I use ground round (browned w/fat drained off first), beef stock or beef bouillon, a couple of cans of diced tomatoes that have green chilies or garlic in them, and a couple of tablespoons of chili powder! Yes, chili powder. Does not add heat, just wonderful flavor. I use a variety of frozen vegies along with fresh carrots, celery, onion and a chopped potato.
As to your newest book, I love the title, which is a “play” off of my fave movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I so love holiday reads and really, really, want to read this one! Thanks for the post.
My favorite soup is Vietmease Tom Gum–chicken coconut lemongrass soup. Sounds like a cite CHRISTMAS read!!
Chicken veg. soup that my grandmother made. It is the same as yours except she used diced potatoes and diced celery but no rice with a loaf of homemade bread. Thank you for sharing it made me think of my grandma & crave soup. Good luck to all, I would love this book.
My mother puts rice in her chicken soup – but no potato.
She also makes a vegetable soup that would keep you going for a week. I think she throws everything in including a lot of different kinds of beans.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I love French Onion Soup with crunchy croutons & lots of melted cheese!
Wonderful recipe and giveaway!!!
LOADED POTATO SOUP
1 large onion, chopped
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups water, divided
4 cups chicken broth
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1-1/2 cups mashed potato flakes
1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 teaspoon coarsely-ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
chopped chives for garnish
In a large skillet, sauté onion in butter until tender. Stir in flour. Gradually stir in 1 cup water. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add the broth, potatoes, potato flakes, bacon, pepper, salt, rosemary, thyme and remaining water. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until potatoes are tender. Stir in cream and milk; heat through. Garnish with cheese and chives.
I’m planning on making chicken noodle soup with veggies tomorrow for a friend of mine who’s in the hospital and they are only allowing him soup at the moment. Of course he hates the hospital food.
Minestrone
Bn100candg at Hotmail dot com
This recipe for Florentine White Bean soup is very easy and very satisfying.
http://realmomsrealfood.blogspot.com/2009/02/florentine-white-bean-soup.html
The books looks so fun. Love the cover.