Easy and Delicious Chicken Noodle Soup

My fourth baby was a screamer.   I held him 24/7 for the first year of his life and even then he screamed a lot.   I was exhausted and living my life in a complete blur, when I woke up one morning when he was two months old with a fever and one of the most horrible pains I'd ever had.  It was mastitis,  and it was 3 days before Christmas and only 5 days before guests started arriving at our house for my sister's wedding.  My husband was a saint helping out with anything he could, but he was busy at work and I was still a miserable mess. I was so overwhelmed and exhausted that I had no idea how I was going to even perform my basic functions of taking care of my family, yet alone prepare for Christmas and a houseful of guests.   It was in that moment of desperation that my guardian angels swooped in.  They brought me dinners, took my kids, and in general made it so I could recover....all in amongst the busyness of  last minute Christmas preparations.   My friends were an answer to my pleading prayers that day. 

So why share all these memories from so long ago?  It's twofold.  First, I wanted to invite you all to look around you  for someone who could use a lift and do something to make their burden a little lighter.  It could be a dinner, it could be babysitting their kids, it could be a lunch date, it could just be being a listening ear.  Someone needs YOU!   I never in a million years would've asked for help, despite the fact that I so desperately needed it right then, but how grateful I am for people who recognized my need and did not take my feeble refusals as an excuse not to help me.  

And the other reason why I share this story, is that that's where I got this recipe from.  This was one of the meals my friend, Denise, brought to me all those years ago.   Even in my feverish state I recognized a winning recipe when I tasted it.  It's been a regular on our winter menu ever since that day and every time I make this super easy (10 minutes beginning to end), but completely hearty and  delicious, chicken noodle soup I am reminded of the kindness and thoughtfulness of dear friends.  

By the way, in case any of you out there are holding a colicky baby right now and wondering if they'll ever stop crying.... Adam is now a bright, happy 2nd grader, who while still quite stubborn, also happens to be the most even tempered of my five children. °Ü°

 Click here for printable recipe.  

The ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped onion
1 Tbs. vegetable oil
4-1/2 cups water
5 chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. thyme or marjoram (optional)
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1 bay leaf
2 cups frozen soup veggies
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken (I used 1 Costco sized can cooked chicken)
1 can (16-ounce) diced tomatoes
1 cup egg noodles

Directions:  In a saucepan on medium heat, saute chopped onion in oil until soft; about 5 minutes.  Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and cover.  Simmer for about 8 minutes or until noodles are done and veggies are crisp-tender.  Discard bay leaf. Serve hot.  Makes 6 servings.  Enjoy! 

FOOD STORAGE VERSION: 
 Instead of chopped onions, use 1 Tbs. dried minced onions or 1 tsp. onion powder, skip the sauteing,  and throw in with the rest of the ingredients. 
Instead of frozen soup veggies use 1 can  mixed veggies
Instead of fresh chicken use 2 cups canned, cooked chicken

 

This post is linked to Saturday Swap at Quit Eating Out.