Receta Toasted Orzo and Chicken Soup...
In the middle of a windstorm, where branches were crashing down around the manse, the mister walked into the nerve center (my office) to ask me if I had my TAX information in order. Let me give you a bit of background before I continue...the mister loves paperwork, busy work, and all things that involve graphs and charts. He is never quite as happy as when he's surrounded by piles of receipts that he can enter into one of his whiz-bang computer programs that will produce a colorful pie-graphic in triplicate. So, while tingling with anticipation that I might have receipts, he posed his question. And I'm slightly amused... why yes, dearest, I do have my tax information in order, but can it wait just a minute so I can see if the baby squirrels who are clinging for their lives on a branch outside my window will survive the horrendous winds? Apparently not. The mister, detecting sarcasm, flies into a rage and pelts me with questions...Do I have mileage recorded? Do I have gas receipts? Do I have receipts for charity work categorized and documented? Are my fabric receipts sorted into piles that our accountant will understand without having to spend extra time, thereby costing extra money? Do I have cancelled checks? Do I give a darn? Oh, glad you asked that one, no, actually I don't. The frenzy continues, and just when he's going into the beauty of Quicken, a giant branch crashes down on the deck and snaps him back to reality...something IS more important than TAX INFORMATION in JANUARY!!!
While the carnage outside kept the mister at bay, I went into the kitchen to make soup. Glorious, delicious Toasted Orzo and Chicken Soup. This one's a keeper...the ONLY problem with this soup is it only makes 4 servings - so be smart, double the batch...and save your receipt if you're making it for charity!
The soup is finished off with fresh parsley and lemon zest...and you will just LOVE what that does for the flavor - clean and fresh with just enough zip to make the veggies practically sing in your mouth! The mister said, "Is that curry I taste?" I didn't have the heart to comment on his malfunctioning taste buds - I was too busy enjoying my soup - so I just nodded yes. But you'll notice there is NO curry in this soup...curry...lemon...so easy to mistake for one another! Do you see what I have to deal with?!? And that, my friends, even though living with the mister is the MOST charitable thing I do, is not a legal deduction!
- Toasted Orzo Chicken Soup - Adapted From Rachel Ray
- 1 (32 oz.) container chicken stock
- 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast pieces or tenders
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small zucchini, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 1/2 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- salt and pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
In a medium pot, bring the chicken stock and chicken to a simmer. Lower the heat and poach the chicken for 12 minutes. Heat a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the butter to melt. Add the orzo and cook, stirring, until deeply toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add the olive oil to the Dutch oven. Add the zucchini, carrot, bell pepper, onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 7 to 8 minutes. Return the orzo to the pot. Remove the chicken from the stock. Skim and discard the fat from the stock; transfer the stock to the Dutch oven. Chop, dice or shred the chicken and add to the soup with 2 cups water. Bring the soup to a boil and cook until the orzo is just tender, 5 minutes. Add the peas during the last minute of cooking. Turn off the heat; stir in the parsley and lemon zest. Serve immediately. Serves 4.
"The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." ~ Benjamin Franklin
One year ago: Mrs. Sally Gregg's Nut Cake
Two years ago: Valentine's Gift - Idiot's In Love