Soup for Cristiana – A comforting delicacy
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 4
Soup is one of the most beloved dishes in traditional cuisine, bringing warmth and comfort on colder days. This chicken breast soup recipe is not only nutritious but also full of flavors, and its secret lies in the fresh ingredients and the way they are combined to create a symphony of tastes.
Here’s how you can prepare this delicious soup step by step:
Ingredients:
- 1.5 liters of water
- 500g chicken breast (or chicken on the bone for a richer taste)
- 3 medium carrots
- 1 medium onion
- 1 large potato
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 small cup of sour cream (about 150g)
- 2 sprigs of fresh lovage (or to taste)
- 4 sprigs of fresh parsley
- 1 stalk of celery
- 2 teaspoons of dried or fresh tarragon
- Vinegar (to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
Step by Step:
Step 1: Preparing the meat
Start by placing the chicken in a large pot with 1.5 liters of cold water. It is important to use cold water to extract the flavor of the meat during boiling. Place the pot over medium heat and let it reach the boiling point. Once the water starts to boil, you will notice foam forming on the surface. Use a skimmer to remove this foam, as it contains impurities that can affect the clarity of the soup.
Step 2: Adding the vegetables
After removing the foam, add the finely chopped onion and the rest of the diced vegetables: carrots, potato, and green pepper. These will not only add flavor but will also provide a pleasant texture to your soup. Don’t forget to add the whole garlic, which you will remove later, to provide a subtle flavor.
Step 3: Boiling the soup
Let the soup boil over medium heat for about 30 minutes, until the meat is well cooked and the vegetables are tender. It is important not to boil too much to maintain the crisp texture of the vegetables.
Step 4: Seasoning
Once the meat and vegetables are cooked, season the soup with salt and add a little vinegar to give it a tangy taste. Vinegar is an essential ingredient in many soup recipes, as it helps balance the flavors.
Step 5: Enriching the soup
In a bowl, beat an egg yolk with the sour cream until it becomes a smooth mixture. This mixture will give the soup a creamy texture and a refined taste. Take a few spoonfuls of the hot soup and gradually add them to the bowl with the egg and sour cream to temper the mixture, then pour it back into the pot, stirring continuously.
Step 6: Finishing
Turn off the heat and add the finely chopped greens, lovage, and parsley. These will add a fresh aroma and vibrant color to your soup.
Serving
The soup is served hot, with a slice of fresh bread on the side. You can add a squeeze of fresh lemon for an extra touch of acidity if you wish. This dish pairs perfectly with a green salad or a salty cheese on the side.
Useful tips:
- For a more intense flavor, you can use chicken on the bone, such as wings or back, which will provide a rich aroma to the soup.
- Vegetarian option: replace the meat with tofu or various vegetables and use water or vegetable broth.
- Experiment with spices: add a teaspoon of peppercorns or a few bay leaves for a more complex taste.
Nutritional benefits
This soup is an excellent source of protein due to the chicken and is full of vitamins from the vegetables. Carrots and parsley are rich in antioxidants, and garlic is known for its benefits to the immune system.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use other types of meat? Yes, you can use pork or beef, but the cooking time will change.
- How long can the soup be kept? The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or can be frozen for later consumption.
- What other recipes pair well with the soup? A summer salad or a steaming polenta are excellent accompaniments.
Personal note
I like to add a teaspoon of hot pepper paste for a bit of spice, but that’s just a suggestion. Every soup has its story, and you can give it a personal touch by adapting the recipe to your taste. I hope this soup becomes a favorite in your family, just as it is in mine!
Savor every spoonful of this comforting soup and don’t forget to share the recipe with your loved ones!
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 4
Soup is one of the most beloved dishes in traditional cuisine, bringing warmth and comfort on colder days. This chicken breast soup recipe is not only nutritious but also full of flavors, and its secret lies in the fresh ingredients and the way they are combined to create a symphony of tastes.
Here’s how you can prepare this delicious soup step by step:
Ingredients:
- 1.5 liters of water
- 500g chicken breast (or chicken on the bone for a richer taste)
- 3 medium carrots
- 1 medium onion
- 1 large potato
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 small cup of sour cream (about 150g)
- 2 sprigs of fresh lovage (or to taste)
- 4 sprigs of fresh parsley
- 1 stalk of celery
- 2 teaspoons of dried or fresh tarragon
- Vinegar (to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
Step by Step:
Step 1: Preparing the meat
Start by placing the chicken in a large pot with 1.5 liters of cold water. It is important to use cold water to extract the flavor of the meat during boiling. Place the pot over medium heat and let it reach the boiling point. Once the water starts to boil, you will notice foam forming on the surface. Use a skimmer to remove this foam, as it contains impurities that can affect the clarity of the soup.
Step 2: Adding the vegetables
After removing the foam, add the finely chopped onion and the rest of the diced vegetables: carrots, potato, and green pepper. These will not only add flavor but will also provide a pleasant texture to your soup. Don’t forget to add the whole garlic, which you will remove later, to provide a subtle flavor.
Step 3: Boiling the soup
Let the soup boil over medium heat for about 30 minutes, until the meat is well cooked and the vegetables are tender. It is important not to boil too much to maintain the crisp texture of the vegetables.
Step 4: Seasoning
Once the meat and vegetables are cooked, season the soup with salt and add a little vinegar to give it a tangy taste. Vinegar is an essential ingredient in many soup recipes, as it helps balance the flavors.
Step 5: Enriching the soup
In a bowl, beat an egg yolk with the sour cream until it becomes a smooth mixture. This mixture will give the soup a creamy texture and a refined taste. Take a few spoonfuls of the hot soup and gradually add them to the bowl with the egg and sour cream to temper the mixture, then pour it back into the pot, stirring continuously.
Step 6: Finishing
Turn off the heat and add the finely chopped greens, lovage, and parsley. These will add a fresh aroma and vibrant color to your soup.
Serving
The soup is served hot, with a slice of fresh bread on the side. You can add a squeeze of fresh lemon for an extra touch of acidity if you wish. This dish pairs perfectly with a green salad or a salty cheese on the side.
Useful tips:
- For a more intense flavor, you can use chicken on the bone, such as wings or back, which will provide a rich aroma to the soup.
- Vegetarian option: replace the meat with tofu or various vegetables and use water or vegetable broth.
- Experiment with spices: add a teaspoon of peppercorns or a few bay leaves for a more complex taste.
Nutritional benefits
This soup is an excellent source of protein due to the chicken and is full of vitamins from the vegetables. Carrots and parsley are rich in antioxidants, and garlic is known for its benefits to the immune system.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use other types of meat? Yes, you can use pork or beef, but the cooking time will change.
- How long can the soup be kept? The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or can be frozen for later consumption.
- What other recipes pair well with the soup? A summer salad or a steaming polenta are excellent accompaniments.
Personal note
I like to add a teaspoon of hot pepper paste for a bit of spice, but that’s just a suggestion. Every soup has its story, and you can give it a personal touch by adapting the recipe to your taste. I hope this soup becomes a favorite in your family, just as it is in mine!
Savor every spoonful of this comforting soup and don’t forget to share the recipe with your loved ones!