Nothing beats Chicken Soup when you're fighting colds and flu...

I don't know about you, but my family all love Chicken Soup when they are sick.  I think it is the broth, with some 'good for you vegetables' and this soup adds tasty BBQ chicken too.

Making this soup is easy - all you have to do is chop vegetables and break apart BBQ chicken.  Once this is done it is all added to a big pot and 30mins later you have a tasty meal.

I made this one for my daughter Wen and her family last week:

(Thanks for the photo Wen)

Ingredients:

1 leek - cut off roots, then cut in half lengthwise and slice white section

2 carrots - peel and dice into 0.5cm (1/4") cubes (if they are bigger they will just need to cook longer)

3 sticks celery - trim ends and dice about same size as carrots

1 BBQ chicken - remove skin (and eat) and bones.  Break flesh apart into smallish pieces

60 grams (1/4 cup) butter or margarine

1/4 cup plain flour

2 chicken stock cubes - I use Massel brand

1.5 litres water - add more if soup gets too thick.

Method:

1.   Prepare chicken and vegetables.

2.   Heat butter in large pot.

3.  Add chopped vegetables and cook for 3 minutes, stirring to prevent them burning.

4.  Add stock cubes and flour.  Cook, stirring for 1 minute.

5.  Slowly add water, while stirring, and cook until soup thickens (a little) and comes to the boil.

6.  Add shredded chicken.

7.  Lower heat and cook for 20 minutes with the lid on the pan.  Stir occasionally so it doesn't stick to pan.

8.  Check seasoning levels - I don't add extra salt as stock can sometimes be salty.

9.  Serve as desired - we usually use large bowls!

Notes:

- If the soup is too thick, add extra water and reheat.

- If you prefer chicken broth, don't add the flour and reduce the butter to 1 Tabsp.

- If you want something with a bit more 'heat' try adding curry powder.

I love making soups.  They are pretty forgiving when it comes to measuring ingredients and cooking times.  So why not give this one a go!  I'm sure it will taste just as good as mine!