soupe au poulet et aux nouilles

French Chicken Noodle Soup

Cook's notes: French Chicken Noodle Soup is a classic chicken noodle soup prepared with a stewing hen simmered in a broth with fresh herbs and noodles. Add a twist to this classic soup by using a rotisserie chicken from the deli as a timesaver or cook three large chicken breasts and use spice Herbes de Provence. Dried herbs can be substituted for fresh herbs at a ratio 1-3. Unusual ingredients of chopped apples, brandy and apple cider make this a grown-up version of chicken noodle soup. Bacon creates a smoky base, while apple cider and apples add mild sweetness to this broth-based soup. Bacon is optional. If you choose to omit bacon use 2 TB. olive oil for sauteing the vegetables Recipe adapted from cuisineathome.com and serves 4-6.
Comfort food in a bowl became a meal for Seasonal Plate food column when served with Pumpkin Swirl Bread (recipe link below )
http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2015/10/weekend-round-up_17.html
and two healthy Halloween snacks. 

Ingredients: 

• 3 strips of thick-sliced bacon 
• 1-1/2 cups each finely chopped celery, carrots and onions
• 2 TB. minced fresh garlic
• ¼ cup brandy
• 1 TB. Dijon mustard
• 1-1/2 cups apple cider
• 9 cups of low sodium chicken broth 
• 2 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1-2 tsp. herbes de provence or 1-1/2 TB. each thyme, rosemary and marjoram fresh herbs
• 1-1/2 tsp. parsley flakes
• 3 cups cooked diced chicken 
• ½ cup finely diced Granny Smith apple
• 2-1/2 cups dry curly egg noodles 
• optional 1-2 TB fresh tarragon

Directions:

• Cook bacon in a large pot until crisp. Remove bacon to a paper-lined plate. Drain grease reserving 1 TB.  Add carrots, celery and onions to bacon drippings. Cover pot and sweat vegetables over medium heat 10-12 minutes. Add in garlic and cook 2 minutes more. 
• Add brandy and mustard to deglaze the pot scraping up any brown bits. Cook until brandy is nearly evaporated. Add in cider, broth, water, bay leaf, cooked chicken, diced apple and spices. Bring to a slow boil, uncovered. Simmer on low for 30 minutes. Stir in egg noodles and cook noodles al dente about 8-9 minutes. 
• Remove bay leaf. Optional crumble bacon bits on top of each serving. 

Healthy Halloween Snacks

Use a clementine to create a pumpkin with a small piece of a celery stalk for its stem.    

False Teeth are made with two apple slices, 5 mini marshmallows anchored with peanut butter.