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 When I look in the mirror I see fat. It doesn't matter what other people see. I know I need to stop eating so much sugar, so many chips, just stop eating so much period! And exercise, let's not even go there. But with my Jewish Fairy Godmother I get a swift kick when and where I need it. It's some combination of guilt, pride, inspiration, and coaching, even a subliminal turn on about how good I'll look if only. My Jewish Fairy Godmother helps me do what I really want to do, but am too lazy to accomplish on my own. Everybody really does need one.Mara Wile Accountant, Wife, Mother |
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Your
Jewish Fairy Godmother's Moroccan (Chicken) Soup
This is the most incredible pot of (non-traditional)
chicken soup you'll ever eat: an amazing blend of flavors in a base that's
like liquid velvet. It's what you'll reach for when you want comfort food
and what you'll eat to celebrate. It takes about 45
minutes to make, but nets you about 5 quarts, enough to freeze
some and pull out for a quickie dinner.
Note: (Chicken) is in parentheses because this soup is almost as good made for vegetarians. Simply leave out the chicken and use an herb stock. It may not cure your cold as quickly, but it still tastes great.
Print this page and give
yourself and your loved ones a treat.
| What You Need
|
Preparations |
| 2 medium-large
onions |
chop them, not
too small |
| garlic (2t to 2T
depending on your taste buds) |
from the jar or
by hand as you prefer |
| 1 good-sized butternut
squash |
the hard way:
peel and chop squash into 1/2" pieces or the easy way: bake until
3/4 cooked, then peel and chop into 1/2" pieces |
| 3 carrots |
sliced |
| 2 zucchini |
cut lengthwise,
then into nice little wedges, 1/2" thick |
| 1 yellow pepper
|
sliced and diced
(not too small) |
| 1 red pepper |
sliced and diced
(not too small) |
| 1 lb. boneless,
skinless chicken breasts |
slice into strips,
then into bite-sized pieces |
| 1+ T olive oil |
|
| 10 cups chicken
broth (low salt) or 10 cups water with bullion or chicken flavoring |
|
| 1 T lemon juice |
|
Spices: The amounts
below are for a richly seasoned soup. Use less or add more as your taste
buds prefer.
- 1 heaping T sweet
paprika
- 2 large t ground
cumin
- 1 large t ground
coriander
- 1/4 t cayenne (or
more if you like a little punch, or some Ethiopian paprika if you can
find it)
- 1 large cinnamon
stick (hold this aside)
- 1/2 t crushed saffron
(hold this aside)
- a handful of parsley
(dried or fresh) (hold this aside till the end)
- some fresh mint leaves
(optional to garnish before serving)
What to Do When
Mix all the spices except
the cinnamon stick and saffron. Use half the spices for the chicken and
hold the rest aside to add later as you taste the soup while cooking.
Take the chicken and toss it in a bowl with half the spices. Coat the
chicken well.
Take a good large soup
pot and heat up the oilive oil. Brown the chicken quickly stirring while
you do so. Take it out of the pot and hold it aside.
Add a little more olive
oil. Put in the onions and the garlic and
cook till wonderful and soft. Add some of the remaining spices, including
the saffron, and stir in the pan for 1 minute.
Add the carrots and let
them cook for a few minutes. Ditto the squash if it is uncooked (if you
took the easy route on the squash, wait 15 minutes and then add
it). Then add the chicken and the broth. Put in some more spices, including
the cinnamon stick. Let it cook for 5-10 minutes. Put in the peppers.
Inhale. Sneak a taste.
Keep it at a nice simmer with the lid ajar.
When it feels almost
done (a half hour or so), add in the zucchini. Don't rush as you will
want the green color and dead zucchini is not nearly so nice to eat. Last,
put in the parsley, and the lemon juice.
When it feels done, turn
off the heat, put on the lid, and let it sit in the pot till it cools.
It is wise to taste it several times and compliment yourself on what a
brilliant cook you are. You may give small spoonfuls to your loved ones,
who will make various appreciative and endearing sounds.
This makes a great dinner
with a roll and a nice green salad. It is especially good on nights when
you think you have no time to cook. Just take soup out of the freezer,
defrost, and heat. Within a half hour you can be
sitting down to candlelight, a glass of wine, a bowl of Your Jewish Fairy
GodmotherTM's Moroccan Chicken Soup. You will feel like the queen, or king,
of the universe.
 Got a quick question? Let's schmooze!
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