Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup & Bread and Onion Soup

Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup


Browning the chicken pieces before simmering them with the vegetables produces a rich, flavorful soup broth.

Ingredients:
1 Tbs. canola oil
1 chicken, 3 1/2 to 4 lb., quartered
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 large yellow onions, cut into 1/2-inch rounds
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch
rounds
1 bunch celery, tops and bottoms trimmed, cut
into 1-inch chunks
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 quarts water
1 bay leaf
2 fresh thyme sprigs
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
1/2 lb. dried fettuccine, broken into 2-inch pieces
1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions:
In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, warm the canola oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. When the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces, skin side down, and cook until well browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Add the onions, carrots, celery, chicken broth, water, bay leaf, thyme sprigs and coriander. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently until the meat is nearly falling off the bones, about 1 1/2 hours. Discard the bay leaf and thyme sprigs, transfer the chicken to a colander and let cool to the touch.

Meanwhile, in a large pot two-thirds full of boiling salted water, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Drain the noodles in a colander and cool under cold running water; set aside.

Remove the chicken meat from the bones, discarding the skin and bones, and cut the chicken into 1/2-inch pieces. Skim the fat from the broth and return the chicken to the pot along with the pasta, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the pasta is heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Adjust seasonings as needed, stir in the parsley and serve immediately.
Serves 6.



Bread and Onion Soup


Ingredients:

4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
6 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
6 Tbs. chopped fresh basil
5 cups water, vegetable stock or chicken stock or
canned broth
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 thick slices coarse country bread, preferably
day-old, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or
shredded fontina cheese
Directions:
In a large sauté pan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and sauté very slowly, stirring often, until caramelized, about 45 minutes. The onions must be sweet and golden but not brown. Stir in 2 Tbs. of the basil and cook for 5 minutes to flavor the onions. Add the water, cover and simmer until the onions are quite tender, about 30 minutes more.

Meanwhile, preheat an oven to 350°F.

When the onion mixture is ready, season with salt and pepper and remove from the heat. Place individual ovenproof bowls on 1 or 2 baking sheets and evenly divide the bread cubes among them. Top with the hot onion mixture and then the cheese.

Bake until the cheese melts and the soup is piping hot, 10 to 20 minutes. Garnish with the remaining 4 Tbs. basil and serve immediately.
Serves 6.