Chicken Soup

Chicken soup = self-reliance. The last time I was sick, I whined and whined about how I didn't have anything to eat and I didn't want to go to the store and I was too achy to get dressed and I was huuu-uuungry. I wanted chicken soup.

In the pits of self-pity, with a recipe from who-knows-where, I made chicken soup from scratch using two chicken breasts with thigh meat and skins (obviously, I managed to get to the store). I ate tons, froze the rest, and thought Voila! This is how single people do it. [In fact, I do not believe this is true; I believe that single people merely whine to their friends.]

Chicken soup = Someone Loves Me.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
  
• 2 split chicken breasts with thigh meat and skin (mine have bones in them, still)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 stalks of celery, chopped coarsely
  
• Couple of carrots, chopped coarsely
• Salt & Pepper
• "Stuff" -- I like tomatoes, squash, and a bit of lime in my soup

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large stock pot, then cook onions (and garlic and celery) until translucent. Season chicken with salt, pepper (and garlic powder, if you didn't use garlic cloves), then place skin side down and brown, about 10 minutes. Cover with water and add carrots. Bring to simmer, then cook for one hour, until chicken is tender when mushed with a fork.

Add stuff.