Cooking with Italian Mama

One Pot Chicken and Vegetable Soup

So I can’t really take credit for this blog post.  I’ve been taught to make this recipe by the ‘Italian Mama’ (as I’ve named her). She is a home cook and her Italian roots inspire her cooking style and recipes.  This is a chicken and vegetable soup with a twist and is so delicious I wanted to share it with you all so I asked her to feature on my blog.

This will feed 6 people but you could make a huge pot and leave in the centre of the table for everyone to help themselves. For this recipe you will need:

6 Chicken thighs-skinless (Canellini beans as a veggie option)

1 vegetable soup pack

1/2 a cup of pearl barley

1 handful of soaked porcini mushrooms

1 level teaspoon of marmite

2 chicken or veg stockpot

A drizzle of honey

1 sprig of rosemary

A pinch of chilli flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

Olive oil

50 g of grated parmesan cheese

Method- Place the vegetables, thighs or beans, chopped mushrooms (with juice) and seasonings into a pot and cover with water. No oil and do not add any salt at this point. Simmer on a low heat for about 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked. Remove the chicken and rosemary and place aside.  Blend the vegetables until creamy- a few chunks are fine and add texture.  Shred the chicken. Add the barley and the shredded chicken back into the blended veg. Stir occasionally to ensure the barley doesn’t stick. Simmer for another 15 minutes until the barley is cooked but al dente. Add salt and more pepper to taste.

Pour the soup into bowls-drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Serve with warmed wholemeal bread or better still toasted Ciabatta croutons with more rosemary and olive oil.

It is, I think, the mushrooms that make the difference to this soup. They add an earthy flavour and depth to the soup without the need for too much salt.  The rosemary and parmesan are such a unique twist and the olive oil makes the soup come alive.

This healthy and hearty soup gives you your five a day, protein from the chicken or beans and hardly any fat.  The parmesan and bread can be left out if you are being extra careful with the calories.

Don’t be tempted to buy ready made options when you can make this at home- its super easy and you know exactly what has gone into it.  This is the perfect lunch or midweek supper and costs less than £2 pounds a portion. All the ingredients are very readily available and if you have leftovers from a Sunday roast use them up and make this the next day.

It was a joy to make and to eat!! Hope you enjoy it too. There will be more from the Italian Mama so keep your eyes peeled.

xoxox

Miranda

 

ingredients

blend

italian twists

finished product