8 January 2013

Chicken Pot Pie Soup Brings Us Comfort on a Snowy Day

Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Winter has arrived here in The Great White North. One moment everything seems unchanged and then, as if you were still dreaming, you wake up to a "winter wonderland." This is typical of living in Canada this time of year.  E.B. White says, “From morning till night, sounds drift from the kitchen, most of them familiar and comforting. On days when warmth is the most important need of the human heart, the kitchen is the place you can find it." This invasion of our senses means the resurrection of comfort foods in the kitchen. When sick, or tired, or far from home, we seem to yearn for the gastronomic equivalent of a warm sweater, a kiss on the forehead or a favourite blanket. In my humble opinion a comforting bowl of soup is the ultimate comfort food and nourishes not only our bodies but our soul as well. 

It is not uncommon in the middle of winter for my home to be filled with warm, fragrant and earthy aromas of a slow cooked roast or a bubbling crock pot, but, there is absolutely NOTHING on the planet as comforting to me as a delicious, homemade soup. There's something very satisfying about making this from scratch in your own kitchen from start to finish; and using up all those bits and pieces in the refrigerator.  On a dreary day like today a steaming bowl of soup "sticks to the ribs," meaning it supplies a sense of fullness and satisfaction long after it is only just a memory.

The rich flavours and warming textures of this soup evoke memories of pure happiness and childhood cravings for chicken pot pie without the calories of a crust. As a child I always ordered chicken pot pie at our favourite restaurant without fail. I think we all deserve a warm, comforting bowl of hot soup on a day like today, don't you?

 **Chicken Pot Pie Soup**
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 leek, trimmed, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 medium russet potato, peeled and diced
1-2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
5 cups chicken stock
1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into slices
1 large chicken breast, boneless, skinless cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 teaspoon salt (depending on how salty your stock is)
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup half and half
Parsley

In a large stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Add leeks, onion, celery, potato and garlic. Cook for about 7 minutes or until just soft. Stir in flour, cook for about 2 minutes stirring constantly taking care not to brown the flour.
Remove from heat and gradually stir in 4 cups chicken stock. Add carrots, chicken, salt, tarragon and white pepper. Return stockpot to medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes or until vegetables and chicken are tender. Add frozen peas in the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Stir half and half into chicken soup mixture and adjust thickness of soup by adding more stock if necessary. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. 
Carefully ladle into warmed soup bowls. Sprinkle generously with freshly chopped parsley.






You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.
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32 comments:

  1. Extremely comforting! The kind of food I am craving at the moment.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. Hi dear Val this look really delicious I love this type of food!

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  3. I rarely make pot pie because I obviously can't finish a whole one myself...but I do love the idea of turning it into soup! Yum!

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  4. Very comforting indeed. You've brought back wonderful memories for me of my mother's chicken pot pie. My husband always loves it too. Maybe this should be the weekend to make it.
    Sam

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  5. Hi Val,
    There's garlic listed in the instructions but not in the ingredient list - how much did you add?

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  6. I think this is my "cooking with Val" week. I made your angry fish soup two nights ago and it was a huge git. Snow is coming and I think we will slurp happily with this comfort.

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  7. Thanks for pointing that out Barbara. I used 2 garlic cloves in mine. That makes me happy Claudia:D

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  8. This looks perfectly homey and comforting, Val.

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  9. Hearty bowl of comfort!

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  10. You can legitimately call this chicken pot pie too. When I was in college in Amish country, they used to serve "chicken pot pie" in the cafeteria. It was a chicken soup with very large noodles in it. I inquired, "How is that chicken pot pie?" My friend who was a local said that's how the PA Dutch define chicken pot pie.

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  11. You aren't kidding about that comfort. This looks so welcoming. Could I please follow it up with some of your delicious apple crisp?

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  12. I'm like you, Val. Growing up chicken pot pie was one of my favorite meals. Love the idea of turning it into a soup, also one of my winter time favorites. This is pure comfort food.

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  13. Winter has hit us too - it was creepy foggy on my way home from work tonight.

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  14. This does look delicious but I'll have to wait until our weather cools down before I present comfort food to my family! Pretty hot in tropical Australia today! Love your blog. I have just dropped in and look forward to reading more.

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  15. All new to me. I love chicken pot pie...especially the puff pastry that goes atop...this soup looks quite tasty....

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  16. Yes, I agree Val, I hot bowl of soup seems to cure many ailments. I love the idea of chicken pot pie soup, so yummy sounding!

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  17. This looks and sounds delicious!
    The winter always makes me crave warm soup or spicy foods like jerk chicken with gravy.

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  18. chicken pot pie is primo comfort food for me, and i think it makes for a great soup idea! PEAS--love the peas!

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  19. How great for a snowy, winter day! I love the idea of chicken pot pie as a soup.

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  20. I agree with you that the mere process of preparing the soup if comforting. Given our cool climate, I find plenty of reasons for making soup even in the summer.

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  21. Funny I should read this post today, right after we've just finished a bowl of homemade soup, made from scratch. :) This one looks really comforting for winter.

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  22. Val, this has just joined my 'must make' list ... looks so smooth and chock full of vegetables!

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  23. This is such a good idea and it is wonderfully executed. I'd really enjoy a bowl of this on one of our bone chilling rainy days. Have a great weekend, Val. Blessings...Mary

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  24. The flavors of chicken pot pie makes me feel all warm and cozy! What a great idea to eliminate the fattening crust and turn it into a soup.

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  25. you know, its been a long long time since i've made homemade chicken soup
    excellent reminder Val.

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  26. Everyone's favorite: chicken pot pie! And in soup version, so without the crust. Love the idea, Val.

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  27. Val, great post! Chicken pot pie has always been a favorite here so your soup would be great! I really like it and the White quote also!

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  28. This sounds like the perfect winter warmer! I always really enjoy pie fillings and wish that I could eat more of them - this is a great idea!

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  29. I just put some turkey legs in a pot, and thought I'd search for a good soup recipe...
    Search no further!

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  30. Oh I could do with a huge helping of this right about now! A warm hug in a bowl.

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  31. We are covered in snow right now, and this looks like the perfect way to warm up!! Thanks so much for sharing on Taste and Tell Thursdays!

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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