Chicken Soup; A Most International "Feel Good" Food...

Growing up in my family; my parents have always; (and still do to this day); taught us to learn and appreciate other cultures as much as possible; whether it be through arts and literature; history; or even food…That is why whenever my father traveled; he would come home not only with presents from those countries; but with stories about the culture; and especially about their cultural take on foods… That is how I actually know that no matter the country; whether it be from China; Israel; Germany; France; Poland or even the US; many countries have their own take on Chicken Soup, and the extra ingredients within it. 

          My own memories of the Chicken Soup my mom made most often was of a rich; hot; flavorful broth made simply by boiling a chicken in water; extra chicken bouillon; sautéed onions, celery, parsley and carrots, and salt and pepper…When the chicken was done; she would remove it from the pot; strain out the vegetables; let the chicken chill in the fridge and then; when cool enough; she would remove all the meat; separating it from the cartilage and skin; and she would tear up one fourth of the meat and put it back in the broth.  (She would save the rest of the meat in as big portions as possible so she could also later make her most delicious breaded and pan fried chicken.)  She would then make some of the simplest; yet tastiest dumplings I had ever had; but out of something no one outside our family ever expected would work well in a soup; Cream of Wheat… To make the dumplings she would mix 1 stick of softened butter with enough Cream of Wheat and egg to make a thick paste; adding in salt, pepper, garlic powder and parsley to taste…Making sure the broth was back to a gently rolling boil; and using a teaspoon she would then spoon the mixture in a little at a time and cook for ten or so minutes till the dumplings were done.  As a family we always looked forward to my mom making both her Chicken and Cream of Wheat Dumpling Soup and her Pan Fried Breaded Chicken.  It was our own personal reassurance of the power of  “feel good food”, and as we sat together at the dinner table; laughing and conversing; we definitely knew that all was right with the world.