For The Love Of Food: The Perfect Treat For A Cold And Rainy day

You are wondering, what's this perfect cold and rainy day treat...., it's chicken soup! Chicken soup has a way of warming the body and the heart while causing the most delicious sparks on your tongue and filling your belly all at the same time! I made myself a bowl of steaming hot chicken soup one evening when I got home drenched from the rain and stained with mud. It was divine - better than hot tea, and a perfect edible companion while I read a novel.

You don't need to much stuff to make decent chicken soup, if you have the chicken itself (raw), onions, some garlic, salt, seasoning cube, vegetable oil, carrots, green pepper and some white pepper or powdered peppersoup ingredients mix, then you are good to go. If you have some leaves of scent leaves (effirin), then all the better, if not, never mind.

Place the chicken in a large pot. Add in some chopped carrots, scent leaves and green peppers. Also add lots of chopped onions and a bit of garlic and enough cold water to cover the whole thing. Don't forget to put in the peppersoup powder mix if you are using that or some white/black pepper, also season it to taste. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, skimming any foam that rises to the top, until the chicken is cooked through, about 40 - 45 minutes (it could take longer if you are using adie ibile - the local fowl, lol)

Transfer the chicken to a bowl and let cool. Strain the broth, discarding the vegetables. Return the broth to the pot. Thinly slice the remaining carrots and add them in, add in the rest of the leaves and peppers. Add in some vegetable oil if you think its necessary (chicken has it's own oil). Let it simmer for about 10 minutes. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred the meat and add it to the soup. The chicken soup is ready to chow!

Please, make some for yourself sometime before the rainy season ends and by all means, enjoy every spoonful!