Kendrick spent the entirety of yesterday in bed with a fever (I think I gave him whatever I had last week), only emerging to sort of halfheartedly watch Arnold Schwarzenegger films (totally loving the new James Cameron category on Movies On Demand) and force down some of the super-simple soup that I make whenever anyone, anywhere is sick. If you are similarly afflicted, it will cure you. I promise.
What you need:
1 chicken breast, cut into small pieces (optional)
Olive oil (optional; you only need it if you’re using chicken)
A big handful of baby carrots, cut up
2-3 small potatoes, cut into small pieces
6-8 cups chicken broth (at least to cover vegetables)
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 celery stalks, cut into small pieces
1 bay leaf
A couple of big handfuls of whatever pasta you have lurking in the back of your cupboard (I used a handful of farfalle and a handful of some vaguely crustacean-shaped pasta that was called “Gnocchi” on the box but most certainly wasn’t.)
Salt & pepper
What you do:
1. If using chicken, season well and place in heavy-bottomed pot with a good dose of olive oil. Stir the pieces around until they’re just about cooked through (if not using chicken, skip to step 2).
2. In same heavy-bottomed pan, add chicken broth. Once broth is simmering (try not to let it boil), add vegetables and bay leaf; cook until onions are translucent and vegetables are tender. Add the pasta about 10 minutes (or whatever the instructions on the box say) before you estimate the vegetables will be done.
3. Remove bay leaf. Taste, and season a bit more, if necessary.
Serve alongside a nice big shot of NyQuil, homemade or otherwise.
