OK. I promised you my Hungarian Chicken Soup recipe. Being that we are suffering an arctic blast, with chills in the negative 15 to 25 degrees, it seems that a wonderful pot of boiling chicken soup is the perfect anecdote for the chilling days that we are living in many parts of the country. country. This is how I remember Nagymama, my Hungarian grandmother, doing it. I have continued their tradition by doing it this way for my own family as well:
o Fill your stock pot about two-thirds of the way with water. No need to measure; just fill it so there is enough room to add all of the following ingredients. (two thirds should be almost perfect).
o Rinse your chicken under cold water and add it to the pot. Use a whole chicken cut up without the insides or three or four open breasts, without the skin. Season the pot with salt and kosher ground pepper. Partially cover the pot and bring to a boil.
o When it boils, remove the lid, reduce the temperature to a simmer and once you have controlled the boil, partially cover again. Cook at this temperature for about 30-45 minutes, until chicken is tender when pierced with a fork.
o Turn off the heat and remove the foam from the top of the pot. Then remove all the chicken from the pot. Skin, bone, cut into small pieces and put it back in the pot. Add peeled carrots (the authentic Hungarian way is to add them whole, not cut), diced celery (again, add whole stalks if you want to be authentic), and medium-sized onions peeled in quarters. Check your seasonings, now add some sweet genuine Hungarian paprika (I also add a healthy dose of thyme, though Nagymama never did!) Simmer for at least a couple of hours, until the flavors have a chance to blend. (You can also let it simmer overnight on the lowest heat possible, removing it from the stove first thing in the morning.)
o Just before you’re ready to serve, add the thin egg noodles directly to the pot, turning up the heat to cook (about eight minutes). Enjoyment!
Nagymama always served it with homemade bread and pure butter. A European pastry was also served, as well as a nice cup of coffee or tea after dinner.
Fewer aromas fill your home better. Fewer memories of your children’s home may be stronger than this will create. Try to keep a pot of this for the rest of the winter. I’m trying to do the same …
