Recipe: Wedding 'Soup'

recipelink.com Chat Room Recipe Swap - 2001-06-01
From: calliope,.NY
Much of the credit for this “recipe” goes to the passionate Italian people I have known intimately, from whom I learned so much about cooking, life and love. I dedicate this recipe to one family in particular and a few other wonderful couples including my parents. Then last, but far from least, my beautiful soulmate, my dear husband who has not only shown me the door, but held it open for me so that my own spirit might walk through to further enlightenment.

CHICKEN WEDDING SOUP.....my version. Karen D. Tweet Laufer...3-22-2001

Prepare yourself my dears, and gather carefully your ingredients, for this is a recipe that takes, time, care and patience...but, oh .....what a marvelous soup you will have to feast on!

We must start at the market. Chose carefully that which you hope to bring home to make this splendid soup. Spend your time, alone, at the market...examining the ingredients you hope will make a healthy broth. If you do not take that time, and if you rush yourself...you most likely will miss not only the best of the harvest, but neglect to come home with much of what you may need and want. If we know not the components of this soup..where they grow and in what season...we may bring home things that are poorly cultured and sickened. Use your time at the market wisely and do not hurry.

Once home...begin your preparations. Clean carefully each item you have brought home. If you see some disease you missed at the market, cut it out right away...be careful to try not to add anything that will “infect” the pot. But should you miss something, don’t worry...there will be time to make corrections, something you will have to do, regularly...and you must remember to do so . The willingness to recognize the need and make the adjustments, is the constant task of making a good soup.

Remember to never, .... leave the your pot unattended! Once you have made the mixture, you must never leave the pot alone. In particular...you must never let it boil! If you do...all will turn to mush and the “soup” will be spoiled. The longer the “angry” boil...the less chance for any opportunity to make adjustments to the mix...and make them you must, for even though we should try to come to the pot with a good recipe, the proportion of ingredients will make the flavor different, and with time in the pot, will change their flavor, something we must be prepared for and accepting of, since it is not only inevitable...but often, unpredictable, during the time in which the soup simmers.

This is a good time to remind you to have your spouse come into the kitchen often and test the pot. Listen to the response, if you do, you can correct the seasoning, without it, there is little hope for the happy and satisfying, finished soup. Do this frequently. A meal must please the two that feed on it and input from both, is the only thing to make it right, for both of you.

And speaking of correcting the seasoning, there are 2 herbs you cannot due without or use too much of, and they are; apology and forgiveness. Each has amazing properties of sweetness...and work most effectively when they are added before you even notice they are needed...so add them early and often throughout the simmer.

Last, remember that though it is wise to consult more experienced cooks, everyone’s chicken soup is different, for many good reasons. Each version has a slightly different flavor...and so it should be. But it should always taste sweet and warm your heart, leaving you comforted, nurtured for growth and satisfied. And if you make the effort...a happier, healthier and better person will go forth after each bowl consumed.