Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Since my husband wasn't feeling very good this week, I searched online for a good meal to make his iffy stomach. I happened across a recipe for homemade chicken noodle soup (the entire thing is homemade, including the broth). It caught my eye because the recipe is from America's Test Kitchen, and I happened to have seen the exact episode in which they made it, and it sounded good. So I just made it this evening for dinner, and it turns out to be really good! It's got flavor, but it's still gentle on your stomach. Everyone loved it, so I'm sharing the recipe with you here.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Total Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Actual Cooking Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Number of Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon Vegetable oil
1 Whole chicken (about 4 pounds), breast removed and split, remaining chicken cut into 2-inch pieces
2 Medium onions , cut into medium dice (I used one huge onion since I couldnt find 2 smaller ones)
2 quarts Boiling water
Table salt
2 Bay leaves
1 Large carrot , peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 Medium rib celery , sliced 1/4-inch thick
1/4 teaspoon Dried thyme
2 cups Egg noodles (3 ounces), preferably wide (I used about 2 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup Minced fresh parsley leaves
Ground black pepper

Preparation:

 1. Heat oil in large soup kettle. When oil shimmers and starts to smoke, add chicken breast halves; saute until brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.

2. Add half of chopped onions to kettle; saute until colored and softened slightly, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl; set aside.

3. Add half of chicken pieces; sauté until no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl with onions.

4. Sauté remaining chicken pieces. (The only reason the chicken pieces are cooked seperately is to save room in the pot.) Return onions and chicken pieces (excluding breasts) to kettle. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until chicken releases its juices, about 20 minutes.

5. Increase heat to high; add boiling water along with both breast halves, 2 teaspoons salt, and bay leaves. Return to simmer, then cover and barely simmer until chicken breasts are cooked and broth is rich and flavorful, about 20 minutes

6. Remove chicken breasts from kettle; set aside. When cool enough to handle, remove skin from breasts, then remove meat from bones and shred into bite-size pieces; discard skin and bone.

7. Strain broth; discard solid material. Skim fat from broth, reserving 2 tablespoons. (Broth and meat can be covered and refrigerated up to 2 days.)
 
8. Return soup kettle to medium-high heat. Add reserved chicken fat. Add remaining onions, along with carrot and celery; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

9. Add thyme, along with broth and chicken; simmer until vegetables are tender and flavors meld, 10 to 15 minutes.

10. Add noodles and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, stir in parsley, and serve. =)

Top Ten: Memories in the Water

This weekend we bought a pool. It's an 18' around, 4' deep, metal frame pool; the kind you can buy at Sam's Club or possibly even Wal-Mart. It was on sale for almost half price, and we got the last one on the shelf. My husband brought in a load of sand, my sister and I used it to level the section of the backyard we planned on setting it up at, and the three of us on Sunday set it up and started it filling. It was full by the next morning. So yesterday we went swimming, and I began to remember other fond memories of times spent in the water. These are my top ten :)

1. Number One on this list will always be the time I went to the beach in South Carolina with my husband. We were in our first year of marriage, and one day he just says "lets go for a drive." He took me to the beach, and while the sun was setting we walked along the shore, holding hands, and just admiring nature. It was amazing. We saw jellyfish, horseshoe crabs, tiny little crabs burrowing into the sand, and the water was so peaceful, the way the waves met the sand.

2. Going to the Guadalupe River. It's a morning full of playing Tetris to get everything to fit in the trunk of the car, then a four hour drive, then half an hour of trying to figure out how we fit everything in the car, pulling it all back out and setting up camp. Then it's nothing but floating on the crystal clear water, watching little fish swim by (occasionally feeling little fish nip at your toes), and sitting back relaxing. This year we took my sister and both our boys, and had some quality family time. The water was perfect.

3. When I was in middle school, I was hanging out with my cousin a lot. As a matter of fact, we were two parts of a trio of best friends, the third being her next door neighbor and a fellow classmate of mine. We used to spend hours in my cousins pool, and we played all sorts of games. We would see who could sit on the bottom the longest, we would see who could do handstands the longest, and who could walk across the bottom of the pool the farthest while doing a handstand. My favorite was the imaginary games. We would imagine we were mermaids, and we would swim with our ankles crossed to simulate fins. It was a lot of fun. :)

4. A few years back, my husband and I went to Florida to visit my family and we ended up going to the beach with two of my friends and two of my little sisters (on my dad's side). We took turns burying each other, we made a mermaid in the sand, and we walked out into the waves. By the time we left the beach, everyone was passed out in the back seat and half of us were sunburned--but we all had a good time.

5. I used to visit my grandma in Maryland every few years, and spend a couple of weeks out there during the summers. Her pool was always the first thing on my to-do list. I remember she would get out the video camera, and I would be in the pool in a giant black inner tube, and I would pop out the top of it, see the camera, and duck back in to hide. And she had one of those automatic vacuums, that would kind of walk itself around the bottom of the pool. I used to pretend the hose was a giant snake, and try to swim through it without touching it. Ah, the good old days... and how far an imagination could get you!

6. When my grandma moved, her pool was upgraded. She went from having an above-ground to an in-ground pool, and her new pool had a diving board. I remember SO many fun times in that pool... Some of the times were spent with family, drinking virgin margaritas, listening to the radio, and playing volleyball with the beach ball. Some of the times were spent learning how to to a backflip off the diving board. There was one time in particular that always makes me laugh... the time our second cousin flipped my brother off his pool float. My brother was so upset about it... but it was more funny than serious.

7. The apartments my mom used to live at had a swimming pool, and I remember so many times going swimming with the family. I used to play with my sisters in the shallow end, watching them learn to swim, and I used to give them piggy back rides through the deep end. I would let my sisters ride on my back above the water, and I would swim underwater from one ladder to the other. I got tired really fast, and it always made me extra cautious, since I wanted to make sure my sisters stayed safe, but sore legs later on was a good trade for happy sisters.

8. One of my favorite memories in the water was the first time I took my son swimming. We had gotten a cheap little pool, just big enough for us adults to sit in, but it must have seemed very big to my son (who until then had only been in the bathtub). He was scared at first, but then he realized it was just water... and he had a blast! He was splashing, kicking, laughing... I was so happy to see him love the water as much as I do. ♥

9. When we got our pool all set up and ready to go, and began swimming in it, there is a feeling of pride... of owning your own swimming pool and having set it up yourself. I was also thrilled that I was handy enough with a screwdriver and an instruction booklet to get the pump on myself and it runs perfectly. Swimming in my own pool... that is a memory I am proud of :)

10. This one isn't really a single memory, and it's not one shared with other people. But it is most certainly a fond memory of time spent in water... when you have two kids that seem to always need mommy for SOMETHING, there is precious little alone time, especially peaceful alone time. But when my husband distracts them or manages to get them to sleep before their usual bedtime, I get an hour to myself. An hour to lounge in a hot bubble bath, with a large cup of iced tea, my ipod playing quietly on the counter, a small snack and a good book. Just to lay back, relax, read, and enjoy being alone. Ah, good times.

Our Time on the River

 We just got back from the Guadalupe River. Even with our unexpected change of plans, having to bring the boys along, everything worked out well and we had a lot of fun.

We got down to our campsite about an hour and a half before the sun went down, which gave us time to get everything set up and cool off in the water. A bit of forgetfulness (combined with lack of space in the car anyways) led to us having no way to actually cook our food, so we opted for dinner in town at Chili's rather than surviving the night on chips, nuts, soda, and water alone. Three hours, a plate of chicken fajitas, three plates of baby back ribs, and four full stomaches later, we were arriving back at our campsite, just in time for Levi to pass out for the night. While David kept himself entertained, I played dominoes with Mike and Kasi, first to 250 points. Mike won (getting exactly 250) then fell asleep while Kasi and I played out the rest of the game to see who would have come in second. Although I led the entire game, Kasi passed me up and landed exactly 250, just like Mike! Too tired to read the pips on the bones, we decided it was time for us to pass out as well.

Kasi and I woke up this morning just before 7 AM. We noticed some wild ducks floating by in our area, so we pulled out some bread and tossed them a few bits. They swam right up to the bank where we were sitting, and stayed with us until we were out of bread. After taking a short walk to the "nice" bathrooms (instead of the port-a-potties) we decided that the water looked inviting, and since the boys were still all asleep, we changed and waded out into the water. About an hour later, the boys began to wake up one by one, so we came back to camp and spent some time relaxing and being lazy. Kasi wanted a souvenir from the River and Mike wanted us to look for some inner tubes, so the two of us went to the little store where we ended up buying matching summer dresses and hats (and some of those can bottle tops, that turn a soda can into a bottle. Comes in VERY handy when you have honey bees stalking your cokes...) while Mike took David into the water. We came back with an inner tube for everyone (even a kid sized one for David!) and we spent the rest of the day lounging about in the water just outside our tent, taking turns holding David and checking on Levi. David is becoming SUCH a water baby! He went from being too afraid to let loose his deathgrip around our necks to being carefree, kicking the water and waving his arms.

Around 2-3 PM we got out of the water and began packing it all up for the trip home. And just in time, too, because the other river tourists who were floating down river today were just getting into our area, crowding the water, playing 3 different kinds of loud music, and shouting and laughing between groups. That atmosphere and festivity are actually a lot of fun, as we participated with other floaters last year, but this year with the kids we just wanted to have family bonding time rather than laugh with strangers. Sorry strangers, maybe next year.

On our way back home, who can resist swinging into Cabela's, the best outdoor/hunting store around! We pulled in to look around, and came out with a few new animals calls and some of their fresh made fudge. The time passed by quickly the rest of the drive home, as I read aloud from the book I'm currently reading, "Rise of the Horde" (which gives a bit of background on our favorite video game, World of Warcraft). By the time we got to the house and brought everything in, we wanted nothing more than to hop on the computers and spend the rest of the evening relaxing even more by spending time chatting with friends and family online, updating Facebook and Twitter statuses, posting to our blogs, and of course, playing on World of Warcraft. So here I am, Facebook and Twitter already updated, blogging to you now, before I sign into what I lovingly refer to as "warcrack". Although I think I'll take a break first and start up the grill (that was waiting patiently for us to return home for it) so we can cook the food that was meant for last night.

Kasi is waiting impatiently for me to post this blog now so she can read it (though I'm not sure why; she knows everything that's in it since she was there). We took lots of pictures at the River, and hopefully this upcoming week we will find the time to upload all of our pictures to Facebook. Look at us in our dresses and hats! As she would say, "we look foxy!" haha although as I would say, she looks cute and it just doesnt look right on me. Levi looks like he may have finally gotten some sun, and David has a bit of a tan. We also plan on going to Waco tomorrow, to see the much-anticipated final installment of Harry Potter, which was released to theaters midnight Thursday night. I'm sure we will look for a sitter for the boys first, but as we learned this weekend, we can manage. Not only that, but we will have a lot of fun no matter how things work out.

My sister Kasi on the left, me on the right

I still think I need a bit of a vacation from the kids for a while, even just for a couple of days (as every parent needs) but I'm very glad this weekend turned out the way it did. My little boys are growing up country, and I envy them the life they have at such an age. Next year, I think I will plan on bringing the kids. It might not have been the one-on-one time I needed with the hubby, or the freedom to spend time with my hubby and sister without worrying about the kids, but it ended up being a lot of family bonding time, with the younger ones, with my sister, and with my husband. ♥

I just have to say thank you, to life, to the universe, for ignoring what I wanted and giving me what I needed. Thank you so much. I am truly blessed to have what I do, the wonderful husband I cherish, my wacky sister I have so much in common with that I adore, and my two beautiful boys that I could not live without. Thank you. ♥

Going to the River: Before

Okay, so we've been planning this weekend for a while now. My husband, my sister, and I were planning to go down to New Braunsfels to float down the Guadalupe River. We did it last year, and it was a lot of fun! But last year, I was a first time mother of a one year old, and I was too overprotective to leave him with someone else for the weekend. So last year we brought him with us, and we took turns floating. The first day, I floated downriver with my sister and our friend while the hubby watched our son in the tent. The second day, I traded places with the hubby and let him float with my sister and our friend while I stayed in the tent with our little boy.

This year, we not only have David (now 2 years old) but also Levi (only 2 months old). Even though I am still breastfeeding Levi, we agreed that it would be best to leave the kids with my hubby's mom for the weekend so we could enjoy some free time, with no kids. We had also invited some friends along, although sadly none of them could make it. It would be great this time, though, because last time I didnt get to spend any time with my husband all weekend.

Unfortunately, less than 24 hours before we leave, once again plans are ruined. It seems this happens to me a lot. Turns our, hubby's mom has to work this weekend. So we no longer have a baby sitter for the kids. So they are both coming with us to the River. Which means once again, we take turns floating. And once again, no time spent with the hubby. Yay.

So we're gonna try to make the best of this. I'm not sure how much our tent will fit, but we can bring the playpen/bassinett for the boys to sleep in together at night, or just to lay Levi down for naps. We can bring Levi's swing, for him to swing in to keep him occupied during the days. We can bring the portable DVD player for David to watch movies. We'll have to see what we can do in terms of keeping the boys cool. We already bought hot dogs and stuff for hamburgers, good thing we bought a little extra. Got sodas, need to pick up some bottled water.

I'm seeing this from two different sides. I'm disappointed that we can't all three float at the same time, so it doesnt seem like it'll be as much fun. And I'm sad that I don't get some time to myself, because I havent spent more than a few hours away from my kids, and since one of them is 2, I think it's about time mommy gets a mini vacation. On the other hand, I'm glad I don't have to leave my kids with someone else, because I've never been away from them for more than a few hours, and I dont know how they would react to suddenly having to be away from me for 2 entire days and nights! Besides, I didnt really have enough breastmilk stored up anyways, and even if we do have to take turns in the tent with the boys, I dont mind. It gives me some quality time with my kids, and who could complain about that? :)

So, I dont really know how things are going to work out yet. For all we know, we may not even stay at the river at all. It depends on where our spot is, and how the weather is. If we cant get a decent cooling system going on, then we're not going to let our boys suffer in the heat, we'll just head home and buy a pool. However one thing is for certain: However it works out, whatever we have to do to make it happen, we are GOING to see the final Harry Potter movie this weekend. Even if we have to wait till we get home and ask someone to babysit for a few hours, there is no way we're going to make it to Monday without having seen that movie!

Okay well, I guess I'll blog again after we get back to let you know how it went and what we did. Hope it all works out!

Just a Little Note To My Parents

This one goes out to all FOUR of my parents.

Two of you have been there for me my entire life. The other two of you, it seems as if you have been there for me my entire life. And I am thankful every day for knowing you are there for me still. Because I would not be who I am today if it was not for you all. I was thinking about you guys this morning, and I just wanted to let you know.

To my mom: I have never truly known who I am spiritually, but thanks to your own personal pathway, I am starting to understand myself and my views. You have been the one that has guided me spiritually, and helped me find something to have faith in. I am especially thankful for the days when I had cramps that literally made me feel like I was dying, and you calmly helped me get a heating pad and some meds, and told me it would all be okay soon. I love whenever we have a conversation about a documentary or something we saw or read about. I am always looking forward to your newest projects and blog posts. I love you!

To my stepdad: From you I have learned discipline. To control my temper, and some of the best ways to stay in control. You probably had some of the most effective forms of punishment, too (I dont remember what we did that my brother and I had to stand in seperate corners on our knees, with our arms in the air, but I remember that by the end of it my arms were killing me and whatever it was I did, I swore I would never do it again!). I loved sitting in the living room and watching you play a video game, especially Tomb Raider. Bring your daughter to work day was fun, too. I can't wait to come visit you guys in September. I love you!

To my dad: You have taught me not to let anyone tell me who I am or what I can be, to stand up and be myself regardless of what anyone else says. I was always glad to have a dad that my boyfriends could be scared of... and yet very confused that instead of being afraid, they got along with you so well. I think it's pretty cool that you also play World of Warcraft, though I have a hard time remembering that I was the one that introduced you to it, considering the fact that you are way better at it than me so far! (haha) I love you!

To my stepmom: I learned a lot about being a housewife from you. I watched you take care of the house, and the kids, and I learned most of the things I needed to know about being a housewife. Like how to have patience, and how to wake up a boy that sleeps like a rock. Also, how to bake amazing chocolate chip cookies (which I still have never managed to make quite like yours.) I loved watching you paint ceramic figurines with acrylics, and I always tried to paint them as good as yours. You introduced me to a lot of books that I fell in love with. I love you!

I am so thankful that I have the four of you as parents. I wish I lived closer to you all, but life has taken me where I am and I am glad to be here. But I look forward to visiting you all, even if it's every other year. And now that I have two gorgeous baby boys, I will be bringing them with me, wherever I go. This year, to North Carolina; next year, to Florida. I can't wait to see you all again, and for you all to see my kids--your grandkids :)

I love you all so much! Thank you so much for being there for me. No matter what happens in life, you are my family. Nothing can change that, not even death or divorce. Okay? I love you!!! ♥

Disclaimer

I just posted this to Facebook, and I felt the need to repost it here. Sorry for those of you who may read this and not understand the reference, but it's a personal issue that I have removed myself from, and due to certain recent posts I felt the need to further remove myself (as I have already stated that the referenced situation has nothing to do with me, and I hold no opinions on the matter, because none of it is my business and I would like to be left out of it).

What's on your mind?

Crystal Burton

Anything written or said by Michael Burton with relation to the state of Florida or anyone therein are his own personal views/opinions and do not represent the views/opinions of anyone that interacts with Michael Burton, including but not limited to Crystal Burton.

6 minutes ago · · ·