A soup to bring you back to life
Some dishes are classics - they are uncomplicated, fussy, time-tested and known the world over for the simple reason that they taste homely and good, and chicken soup is one of those dishes. Most people are familiar with the warming, restorative properties of a well-made broth, and there’s certainly good reason why people declare you to be in dire need of a steaming bowl of chicken soup when you’re unwell.
In fact, there’s even a series of extremely corny motivational books labeled “Chicken Soup for the Soul” (which I’m not going to link to as I’ve read a few books from the series and they made me snort with much derisive laughter, so I won’t inflict that on you).
When I’m down in the dumps and sniffly with aches and pains, the first thing that I ask of my mother is for her soothing chicken and corn soup. However, what happens when your bearer of soup is AWOL? Only a few days after my parents left on their trip for Adelaide, I started coming down with this godawful cold and there was nobody to make this soup for me!
Sick as I was, I turned to my cookbooks for comfort, and it was in the aptly titled “Comfort” by Marie Claire that I found a nice and easy recipe for chicken and leek soup that I felt I could whip up for myself without too much trouble. Unfortunately, I lacked some of the ingredients that the recipe called for, but being the foodblogger that I am, I didn’t let that get in my way 
I still prefer my ma’s soup… but it’s nice to know that I can fix my should hers be out of my grasp ever again 
Chicken, Corn & Leek Soup
(adapted from “Comfort” by Marie Claire)
Ingredients
1 small organic chicken, around 1kg
2 medium carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
2 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 large leeks, rinsed and finely sliced
2 medium ears of corn on the cob, cleaned and kernels sliced off the cob
1/2 cup white rice (medium grain such as calrose)
1. Rinse the chicken to clean it, then remove any large chunks of fat and place in a large pot with the carrot and rice. Fill the pan with water till the chicken is completely submerged and bring to the boil. Skim off any scum or foam that rises to the surface as it boils.
2. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add the salt and reduce the heat to low and gently summer for 2 hours, or till the meat is tender and falling off the bones of the carcass.
3. Remove the chicken from the stock then strain the stock through a fine colander sitting above a large bowl. Skim any fat or impurities floating on the surface of the stock, then set it aside for now. Clean the pot and return it to the stove over medium heat.
4. Add the butter to the pot and once it has melted, add the leek and corn and saute the leek till soft. Pour the strained stock over the top and boil over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or till the corn is cooked through.
5. Remove the flesh from the chicken and chop or tear it apart into thin shreds and return it to the soup just a few minutes before serving.
6. Pour a bowl of soup, put your feet up and slowly enjoy every mouthful, letting the goodness wash over you
Technorati Tags: cold, recovery, illness, soup, chicken, corn, leek, broth, recipes
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Anh Ellie, hope you feel better. I was doen yesterday, too. Blaming it on the terrible weather!
But this soup is excellent. I love the combination of corn and chicken. Haven’t tried leek with it, must be good, too.
Tanna Oh Ellie, I am so glad you were able to put the soup together (always like chicken & corn) for yourself. Yep, sometimes we just have to make do for ourselves.
Hope you’re feeling chipper again soon.
Susan from Food "Blogga" Of course you like your Ma’s better; it’s the love she puts into it that makes you feel better. Get well soon!
Fran Moooo! Chicken soup is what you need to get you through a Melbourne winter. Isn’t it nice to have winter again? I missed it last year!
Belinda Your soup sounds wonderful, especially so if you were feeling under the weather, but a good homemade chicken soup is welcome any time. I hope you feel lots better…and that your Ma is around the next time you need a special pot of soup. 
Ellie Thanks, Kat, I’m all better now I hope you didn’t get too sick yourself!
Anh, I think you’re right, the weather probably isn’t helping with the recovery from the illness, but thankfully I’m all better now
Thanks, Tanna You’re right, sometimes you’ve just gotta make do, and it’s nice to know that I can do that too! Feeling much more chipper now!
Susan, I reckon you’re spot on there
Thanks, Helen All better now!
Fran, it’s definitely a must for winter in our household Missed it? How did you miss winter?
Thanks, Belinda I hope she’s around too - it’s no fun trying to run a household when ill
Bron Sorry to hear you’ve had the bot, we had it here too a while back. It certainly is that time of year! Your soup looks delicious, love me some chicken and corn soup anytime!
Oh, no, I hope you’re feeling better, I’ve had a cough the past week myself. This soup sure looks comforting.