As the chilly autumn air rolls in, swap the scorching summer sun for cozy nights at home with warm beverages and comforting meals. What better way to embrace the season than with a steaming bowl of soup? Jamie Oliver, the renowned chef known for his accessible recipes, offers a perfect solution: a delicious and comforting leftover chicken and mushroom soup.
This recipe is all about making the most of your leftovers and creating a truly satisfying meal. Oliver highlights the versatility of soup, saying, “The idea of a boring soup, forget it. We are taking soup to the next level, cozy, deep flavor, amazing.”
Let’s dive into the ingredients and method for this delectable soup:
Ingredients:
* Leftovers of a roast chicken
* 1.5 liters water
* Rosemary
* Leftover celery (or any other vegetables you’d like to use up)
* Olive oil
* One onion
* One clove of garlic
* One stick of celery
* One sprig of fresh thyme
* Mushrooms
* One heaped tablespoon of plain flour
* Salt and pepper
Method:
1.
Stock Preparation:
Begin by breaking up your leftover roast chicken carcass and bones. Add these to a large pot along with 1.5 liters of boiling water to create a flavorful stock. This is where you can get creative and add any leftover vegetables from your fridge, such as rosemary or celery, chopped and added to the stock mixture.2.
Caramelizing the Vegetables:
In a separate pan, heat chicken fat and a few pieces of leftover chicken along with a splash of olive oil. Add your chopped onion, garlic, celery, and thyme. The goal is to caramelize the onions before adding the mushrooms. Chop the mushrooms roughly as you’ll be blending the soup later.3.
Thickening and Combining:
Once the onions are caramelized, add a heaped tablespoon of plain flour to the pan to thicken the mixture. Now, strain the stock mixture through a sieve into the pan with the mushrooms and vegetables.4.
Simmering and Blending:
Let the soup simmer gently for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. After simmering, use a hand blender to blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. You can choose to leave it chunky for a rustic texture or blend it smooth for a creamy finish.5.
Serving:
Plate up your delicious soup and enjoy the warmth and flavor of this comforting creation.This recipe is a testament to the magic of using leftovers creatively. It’s a perfect example of how simple ingredients can come together to create a truly delicious and satisfying meal. So, next time you have leftover roast chicken, don’t hesitate to whip up this soup and enjoy a cozy autumn evening with a warm bowl of goodness.
