There is nothing like Mom’s homemade chicken noodle soup to cure all hangovers aches and pains, sniffles and sore throats. But getting Mom to cook us that favourite dish when we live across oceans and mountains is asking the impossible.

So, what’s an expat do to? Learn the tricks of the trade!

It is with great pleasure to announce that I have mastered my Mom’s Chicken Noodle Soup. I’m going to share with you how to do it yourself whether you are staying in a hostel in the Alps or are snowboarding in the Blue mountains. Oh – and it’s super cheap too! This is the recipe for you.

Before we get started, I think it’s important for you to know that I don’t measure things, ever. Instead I use the eye-ball approach. How many guests x amount of veggies & chicken = when I think it’s enough I begin to chop.

Chicken Soup for the Expat Soul

You will need:

• 2 large pots (one for par-boiling the chicken and the other to simmer the soup in.)
• Water. I usually fill the pot 3/4 full.
• 1 Flavoured cube like Oxo for the broth base (yes, you can also make your own broth with the water from the par-boiled chicken – but I think that’s gross.)
• Carrots
• Onion
• Garlic
• Celery
• Parsley
• Basil
• Noodles (I prefer the small thin noodles but it’s not important what you use. I’ve used penne and farfalla in the past.)
• Olive oil (because life is better with a bit of oil).

Getting started

• Par-boil chicken for about 10 mins. It’s best to use chicken on the bone.
• Chop all ingredients to whatever size you desire.
• Add all ingredients (at the same time) to the 2nd pot of boiled water.
• Add par-boiled chicken to the veggie pot.
• Add a splash of olive oil.
• Stir occasionally.
• Simmer for 2.5 hours. (Note – this can be made within the hour but the flavours develop if allowed to simmer longer.)
• Remove chicken from the bone.
• Add your noodles towards the end of cooking.

Now all you need is a dash of parmesan cheese and your Chicken Soup for the Expat’s Soul is ready.

I made this soup for dinner yesterday evening. And, as usual it was a hit. There were about 8 servings for the low, low-cost of €6.00! Snaptastic! The most expensive item was the half chicken at €3.00.

Dig in and enjoy.

What comfort food from home do you make for your family?

Check out some other expat blogger’s recipes for a cold day:

Pumpkin and pancetta soup via Girl in Florence
Cold weather? don’t worry, re-heat some ribollita via Our Adventure in Croatia