In The Kitchen With Kid

Well as hesitant as I was about this venture it all went smoothly. Monkey bread seemed like a great idea and the perfect compliment to the chicken soup she wanted to make. I made the dough (used the mixer... why the hell haven't I done that before... wow! so much faster and easier!) and after it rose cut it into the pieces and Kid then helped me shape them and arrange them in the bundt pan. I was able to control my need to place the monkey bread balls in a symmetrical fashion and let Kid Furious put all the seasoned oil on the same spot over and over and didn't say a word (I was, however, silently screaming). The soup was actually a great experience. Kid Furious peeled carrots (and was very proud of herself!) and she dumped all the ingredients in the pot.. what else is there to do?



Kid's Chicken Soup (adapted from "C is for Cooking Recipes From the Street")

3 carrots, peeled
2 celery stalks
1/3 c peas
1 onion
1.5 pounds chicken drumsticks
1 can chicken broth
5 c water
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 t dried thyme
1 c uncooked alphabet noodles
1/2 T honey
1/2 t dried dill
1/2 t salt or to taste

In large saucepan, combine one carrot and one celery stalk cut into large pieces, the water, bay leaf, 1 t salt, thyme, and chicken legs. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour. Meanwhile halve and thinly slice the 2 remaining carrots and celery stalk. After one hour drain the chicken stock through a sieve or fine colander and into a clean pot. Add the thinly sliced vegetables, pasta, peas, honey, remaining 1/2 t salt, and dill. Return to a simmer for 10 minutes. Separate the chicken meat from the bones and skin. Chop the meat and add back to the soup pot and heat through before serving.

6 - 1.5 c servings at 235 calories each

The original recipe lacked the honey, dill & peas. We have a much more elaborate chicken soup recipe that we usually make around here. Funny thing is by adding these 3 things to this I achieved almost an identical soup, with 1/2 the prep, 1/2 the ingredients, 1/2 the expense & 1/2 the cooking time!