Chicken Noodle Soup

Is there anything more healing and comforting then homemade chicken noodle soup? For me, even making it is a therapeutic process that continues to give aid every year when the weather gets cool. I make a huge pot of it, then live off of it for about a week, I never get sick of it! A lot of people out there have their traditional ways of making it, but for those of you who haven't ventured to make homemade chicken noodle soup, this is how I make mine. Remember, the measurements of the ingredients are rough, so don't be afraid to put in more or less of whatever you want.

Ingredients

1 med sized whole chicken, giblets removed

1 box chicken broth

1-2 onions chopped

6-7 carrots peeled and chopped

6-7 stalks of celery chopped

1 bag of frozen egg noodles (if you can't find frozen, use dried egg noodles, or make your own)

1/2 jar of Better then Bouillon, or any chicken bullion base.

(This stuff is so much better for your soup then the grains, or squares of bouillon. It's not hard to find either.)

1-2 tsp black pepper

1-2 TB dried or fresh parsley

Directions

Place whole chicken in large soup pan and cover entirely with water. Boil chicken in pan for 1-1 1/2 hours, or until chicken is completely cooked through. Remove chicken from water and let cool. Reserve water.

If you would like a less fattening soup, let water sit and cool, even overnight if you'd like, and skim off top layer of fat. If you want the fat from the chicken (does make a much more flavorful soup), you can use the water right away.

After chicken has cooled, remove all meat from the bones and cut into bite sized pieces.

Strain water with cheesecloth to remove any chicken bits and place on med heat. Add chicken broth until pan is a little over halfway full (remember, I use the largest pan I have, and I don't always use the entire box of broth). Add carrots, onions and celery. Let simmer until veggies are softened. Add noodles and bouillon. Add bouillon in small amounts and wait a minute or two before adding more, tasting in between. Add enough to your satisfaction. Once noodles are softened, add chicken, parsley and black pepper. Serve hot with a piece of crusty french bread and a Diet Coke (at least, that's how I would enjoy it!)