A Family Favorite & Beautiful Little Girl

February 8, 2009

This weekend Sarah started coming down with a bit of an upper respiratory cold, so I decided to cook a family favorite!! This recipe has been passed down on my Mom's side for at least three generations...maybe more. My grandmother swore that this would help any ailment.....and as soon as someone in the family was sick, she was ready with a container of her homemade chicken soup. Even as an adult, when I am sick, this is what I want to eat.....everytime I make it, it reminds me of her.


Chicken Soup
IMG_5748

Ingrdients Needed:

1 Whole Chicken with Giblets
Bunch of Celery
1 Onion
1 Tomatoes
1 Bay Leaf
Parsley- just a hand full
2-3 Whole Carrots Peeled
1 Tablespoon of Whole Allspice
Salt
Pepper
1 Box Orzo or your favorite small shaped pasta
1 Box of Chicken Stock
Bag of baby carrots

Season your whole chicken and giblets with salt and pepper, put it into a large pot, add 1 onion, 1 tomato, a hanful of Parsley, 2-3 Whole Carrots, 1 Tablespoon of Allspice, and 1 or 2 bay leaves. Season again with salt and pepper and fill the pot with water, just enough to cover the bird.

Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer and let it cook on low for an hour and half to two hours, or until the chicken starts to fall apart. Pull the chicken out and let rest on a cutting board. Strain the stock and put back on the stove. I toss everything that I strained from the stock. Now add your baby carrots to the stock to cook and while cooking I am constantly skimming fat off the top. At this time I usually add a box of store bought stock to make it go a little further and give it a little punch of flavor.

While the carrots are cooking in the stock, I start to pull and slice all the chicken meat. I reserve 1/4 to 1/2 of the chicken meat to make a salad, then throw the remainder of the chicken back into the stock with the carrots.

In a separate pot, boil water for the noodles. Cook as directed then combine the noodles with the stock and your soup is finished.

I always serve with a little grated parmesan for extra flavor....you know me...everything tastes better with some cheese:)



Chicken Salad
IMG_5730
Using the chicken that I put aside, I make this delicious chicken salad....it is the perfect side for this soup. Add a piece of crusty bread and your meal is complete.

Ingredients:
Your Favorite Lettuce
1/2 of a Red Onion
Pulled Chicken
Feel free to add any other veggies of choice, we usually just do the chicken, lettuce, and red onion. Once in a while I use cucumbers too:)

Dressing:
1 TBSP Dijon Mustard
1 Clove of Garlic
1/2 tsp of Italian season
Juice of one lemon
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Hope you enjoy this meal as much as we do. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but it really is not that bad and it makes a lot, so there will be plenty leftover!!

We experienced a little warm up this weekend and got to spend some time outdoors. On Saturday, I took the kids to our favorite park and let them run around while I worked with a beautiful little girl!

A good friend of mine has a daughter who is 11 years old and was very excited to work with me. It made me so happy to capture this little girl's beauty and share the finished product with her Mom today......She was very excited to see the pictures and I think she was thrilled with the results.

Sitting on the ledge
I spent about 2 hours in the park with her, and then took a couple hours last night on the finishing touches......I couldn't choose which ones to post, so I made a slide show of my favorites.

Hint: Once you click play, look for the arrows in the lower righthand corner. If you click them, it will allow you to view the pictures in the full screen mode!



Can you believe she is only 11 years old? I think her Mom and Dad will be fighting the boys off with a stick!!

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend:)

64 comments:

Kim said...

LOVE the recipes...
The sound sooooo good..
And as for the photos..
HOLY MOLY...
THEY ARE AMAZING..
Can you come and take some photos of my children..
Hugs..
You are doing sooo well...
Have a great Week..

Marla said...

Mmmmm, thanks for the recipes, I was just making my grocery list and will add the ingredients for that yummy looking soup!

The pictures are simply amazing, Lisa, you truly have a gift! GREAT job girl!!

elliotts said...

Looks delicious! I made chicken pot pies this weekend...then we enjoyed near 70°F today!

Also, love the photography shots...you are really talented!

Have a great week-
Diane

Tisha said...

Lisa,

Okay, I might not like you anymore. LOL. A great cook and a fantastic photographer; this is too much! ;)You are inspiring me in both categories. I'm going to try your soup/salad recipes this week. Thanks for sharing. In all seriousness, you have been blessed with many talents. :) Have a great weekend!

Blessings,
Tisha

Shari said...

WOW!!! Amazing! LOVE them all but the 3rd one in the set is my favorite. Her eyes just twinkle in the light - she's one beautiful girl!

Shell in your Pocket said...

I am not a big soup person but that soup looks so yummy!! Wow!!!

She is beautiful...they will need a BIG stick!
-sandy toe

Missy said...

Yummy chicken soup!!! I will have to make that one night this week. Thanks so much for sharing your great recipes. Hope sweet Sarah feels better soon!

You are an amazing photographer, girl! You know how much I love these. Thanks so much for the editing info.

If you don't have too busy of a week, give me a call one afternoon.

Have a great one!

Gail said...

Yummy...we are big soup lovers in our family so I'll be trying it.

Stunning images of a beautiful girl. I can tell you're having lots of fun!

Hope your week is great and hope Sarah's cold isn't too bad.

Kate said...

Yumm-o!! Nothing I like better than a pot of soup simmering on the stove!! Chicken soup IS just the best medicine for whatever the problem is!!! I hope Sarah is feeling tons better...not a fan of the respiratory gunk myself...I hope we don't see it again for a long time!!!

The pictures are fabulous!! I am sure her parents were thrilled!! Always fun to have a new "victim", right??? And such a pretty one at that!!! Nice work...stunning really!!!

Sounds like you had a very productive weekend!!

Kate

Suzie said...

That soup sure sounds yummy!!

The photos are beautiful! You are an amazing photographer :o)

"Hello... It's Me Again..." said...

Lisa,

I'm so glad you posted the recipes! They look and sound delicious! I bet your house smells great too while it is cooking!

I wish you'd post some photography tips from time to time. You have the gift of photography! Please share your knowledge!!!!

I hope Sarah gets to feeling better soon!

Take care,
Jamie
www.oktxok.blogspot.com

Jennifer said...

Lisa, the pictures are amazing! Seriously!!!

That soup looks so good! I don't even know what giblets are though-seriously I have a strange problem touching meat. I don't think I could ever cook a whole chicken!

Kerry said...

OK Lisa!! Wow- your photography weekend really paid off. Your photos have always been wonderful- but honestly these are amazing. Really- I am not kidding. WOW.

OK- I either need to find a way to travel to one of her seminar destinations or have you teach me some tips now! heehee. Really, Lisa- you got it!
Are these so different due to Lightroom? or did you add layers in Photoshop?
Any tips allowed to be revealed.
Hugs and keep shooting.

Kerry said...

OK Lisa!! Wow- your photography weekend really paid off. Your photos have always been wonderful- but honestly these are amazing. Really- I am not kidding. WOW.

OK- I either need to find a way to travel to one of her seminar destinations or have you teach me some tips now! heehee. Really, Lisa- you got it!
Are these so different due to Lightroom? or did you add layers in Photoshop?
Any tips allowed to be revealed.
Hugs and keep shooting.

fleur de lis cottage said...

Seriously...you need to produce a cookbook...you could write it and take the photography for it as well. You could combine your 2 passions into one work!!

Beautiful images.

Deb said...

Your recipes sound so yummy Lisa! We make chicken noodle soup with whole allspice. I think that is pretty unusual....but we love it too. Great shots of your friends daughter...she is beautiful! Hard to believe that she is only 11!

Have a great week!

Jodee said...

I am so sorry to hear Sarah is sick. I hope she is feeling better soon. That chicken soup looks like it could cure anything!

These pictures turned out soooo good. Her Mom must be thrilled! It looks like your photo workshop has paid off already!

Dawn said...

Those are AMAZING!!! I wish I could figure out how to use Flickr. Everyone seems to love it, but I cannot figure it out. Maybe I should look to see if there is a Demo or something on it.

Lucy said...

Hope Sarah is feeling better soon. Your soup looks so good, there's nothing like homemade chicken noodle soup! Your pictures are BEAUTIFUL, what fun to have a willing model! :) Are you using a refector when taking these? The lighting is beautiful.
Have a great week!

Patricia said...

I've been searching for a great chicken soup recipe & this sounds like IT!! Thanks for posting!! I'll definitely be trying this one! :)

Hope Sarah is feeling better!

Your photos are just AWESOME!!!

Laura said...

Boo Hoo, not one picture of the kids. Just kidding. Love the recipe, that's a keeper for sure. Love alllll the pictures. She is a beauty and mom & dad will need a big stick!!
Laura

Jennifer said...

Okay I have to make the soup and the salad! Sorry that poor Sarah is not feeling so well :(
I love the pictures, and yes she is a beautiful subject!

Jen

Cori said...

I recently found your blog and love it!! Your photos are really great. I was wondering if you would share what editing program you use and a few tips!!

Cori
dixiedogmom@gmail.com

Sherri said...

I hope Sarah is feeling better soon.

I don't know what would make me happier: living near you so you can take fabulous pics of my kids or living near you so you could feed me!

Football and Fried Rice said...

i hope Sarah is feeling better! I (kinda) wish I were sick just so I could get someone to make me the soup :)

You did an amazing job with the beautiful 11 year old girl!! I love the angles and the way you are shooting your pics! I wish I had some decent editing software....

Christy said...

We love chicken noodle and I make a darn good one as well. We eat so much soup during the winter-- we just love it! Sound like you guys had a great time this weekend and your pictures are beautiful! I am soooo impressed!

Chrisyt :)

Steffie B. said...

Lisa.....I have scrolled through your pics...what a difference....are you using Lightroom or still Elements....this is what I need to learn...great job...

Jo said...

The soup and salad look delicious ~ how is Sarah feeling?

You are one talented lady! The pictures just continue to get better and better.

Have a great week,
Jo

Briana's Mom said...

Oh Lisa! The photos are AMAZING!!!!

That soups looks delish! I think I may have to try it in my sick household! Hope Sarah feels better soon!

Amy said...

Yummy food and beautiful pictures!:)

Next time you are in Crazyville...call me.;)

Have a blessed day, Lisa!
Big Hugs,
Amy:)

OH MY #6 said...

That chicken soup recipes looks fabulous. I have copied it I hope you don't mind.

Lea
xo

Denise said...

Can't wait to try the recipes!

You are in the wrong profession my friend! Your pictures are AMAZING! I would hire you for a session in a heartbeat! Beautiful!!!!!

Jboo said...

Sounds yummy!! Hope Sarah is feeling better!

You are amazing -- you cook, your house is beautiful, you look fabulous and your photography is amazing!! You are really in your groove, aren't you!
Have a great week!
Janet

Dita said...

How did you know I was dying for that recipe! I am going to make it and think of YOU!

The photos are just awesome! How lucky she was to work with you. You really know how to capture such beauty!

Doug and Terrye said...

I've got scrumptious plans for dinner tonight, thanks for helping me plan ;)

Terrye in FL

Kayce said...

Oh that salad looks sooo good! I made chicken noodle soup this weekend too, such a winter staple.

The pictures are amazing! I'm thinking you need to come out to the west coast to take some pictures of my family!

Lisa said...

Yummy, thanks for the delicious recipe's! You did a great job taking those pictures and no, I can't believe she is only 11! They will need a gigantic stick! : )

kerri said...

Your photos are just amazing!!!
Come over and show me the ropes, please! ;)

Kam said...

My friend, those are amazing! Get this, the next workshop is set for the one weekend this Spring that I can't go! AH!!!! Debbie was so sweet to email me about it today. Maybe we will work something else out...I'd love to be able to shoot and capture our kiddos like this. You're so talented Lisa. Love these...


And that soup and salad looks totally yummy! I'm gonna have to try both! Hope everyone is feeling well again.

Miss ya~

3 Peanuts said...

Oh that soup and salad sound yummy. I make a similar one with dill...so good. I wan to come eat at your house:) Your photos look fabulous.

Kim

Becky said...

I hope Sarah is feeling better soon!

Great pics as usual! I hope I am able to take pics half this good after taking the workshop!

Shawnstribe said...

can we try a veggie version?it all looks sooo yummy : )
xxx
s

Sharon said...

Gorgeous! The food shots and the 11 yr old! You are really taking off Lisa!! Thanks so much for repsonding to my plea for help haha . My son did Bailey's blog last year but forgets alot of it. I have asked jennifer to see what she can do. I see she did your's . I wish she would teach me how to do a few things. But I set up the photography blog and came over here to get your address for it. I am also going to join your followers. I haven't done that before but is it useful? Maybe you would do me a favor and come over and join my new blogs so i can see what it does!! Let me know if you feel like it !haha

The Byrd's Nest said...

I love homeade chicken soup and I will try that chicken salad recipe for sure!

These are beautiful....I can't believe she is only 11!

Anonymous said...

I have thought about you so often lately, each time I sat down to check in on you something would come up. Please know that even when I haven't come by in a long time that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that you ARE MISSED!!!

WIth Love,

Krista

Deb said...

Yummy! Hope your little munchkin is feeling better.

The slide show is beautiful, what is the brick building in the back an old castle or something?

CC said...

How awesome!! And... I really should try making chicken soup from scratch. One day...

Julie said...

Love that recipe and it looks nice too! Great photos

Sandy said...

Hi Lisa! Oh, the soup looks so good. Photos are the best too. How did your conference go?

Did you get your pkg? :)

carolinagirl said...

Wow! What a post! Thanks so much for the recipes! Again, your photos are fabulous as always! Your little model is beautiful!

LaLa said...

YUMMY!!! Your photos are amazing!!!

Belinda said...

Lisa,
The pictures you took are amazing! Me and Leslie are going to take the class hopefully in September if she comes to St. Louis!
Belinda

Michelle R Photography said...

Hi Lisa,
I hope Sarah is feeling better!!

Those photos are AMAZING!!! What a beautiful girl. You really captured her beauty and your photography is wonderful. You really put what you learned to work!

Chasing Dreams Photography said...

Mnnnn yummy recipe!!!! We love soup...my Addison is so sick maybe some Chicken soup will help.The pictures are beautiful!!1 You are so talented.

Shelly and Family said...

What great recipes! And I must say...that class that you attend are really paying off...WOW and I mean W-O-W! Your photos are truly amazing and the angel, the light, the...everything. You got the touch girl.

Jeni said...

Oh yum and healthy...that salad is calling my name!

Ivy Shaffer said...

Thanks for the recipes Lisa, they look yummo!
I think I'll drive up for dinner one day LOL!

Your photos continue to inspire me so much.

Hop on over for some laughs about my last post on photos!

Enjoy your wonderful week. The weather is great for a change!

Hugs,

Ivy

Kristin said...

Love the recipes, love the images and love it that you have just jumped right in there and not only used the talent that you already had for photography but also putting into practice what you learned in Debbie's workshop. I wish you lived here so we all could go on a couple of photo fun sessions!

a Tonggu Momma said...

This sounds SO good... especially since we are sick right now. Only I'd have to get dressed and go to the store...

Our Complete Family said...

Lisa,
Wow~ what great posts you've had the past few times that I'm so behind on girl!
The recipes look so yummo!
Your pics...WOWZERS! They are amazing. Your pics have always been great and so fun for me to see, but you have gone to a whole new picture taking realm now!
Little Miss Sarah looks darling with that heart sucker. She's all set for Val day, isn't she?
xo, Les

Jennifer said...

First of all.....thanks for the recipes!!! Love chicken noodle soup and I will definitely be trying this recipe.

Second.....WOW! Your photos are amazing!!!! It looks like you really learned alot.

Jen

Lori said...

Oh my gosh, that soup and the salad look so good to me tight now!

jenbusymom said...

Wow what a gorgeous little girl, I think you did a great job capturing her natural beauty!

Rebecca Lily said...

Wow, Lisa, these are just FABULOUS. I love the post-processing you did... I need to get in on one of Debbie's workshops if she's ever in my neck of the woods!

Blessings,
R