[NOTE: I wrote this a few weeks ago when I was actually sick. Posting it now seems dishonest, particularly to anyone who saw me in good health this week. But as far as a good cure-what-ails-ya recipe goes, this post still stands true. Ok, now that I've got that off my chest...]

Oh man, was I sick last week. Somehow I managed to have a 24-hr flu at two separate occasions in one week. That’s 48 hours of un-fun-times folks. Once my stomach regained its sense of gravity, it called for something warm, easy to digest, and most importantly, super easy. This one checks off all three. Courtesy of my friend Meaghan, she swears by its capacity to cure. Stay tuned for her blog once it launches!

Makes 4 -6 servings

1.5 lbs (about 675g) best-quality chicken - bone-in, skin-on (choose dark meat pieces)

4 medium or 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped into ½ inch rounds

4 medium or 3 large stalks of celery, chopped into ½ inch pieces

6 cups (1.5L) chicken stock (or 6 cups water and 2 best-quality bouillon cubes)

2 tsp sea salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

½ tsp sweetener

½ pkg. (about 6oz) egg noodles (optional) [I used rice]

Add all ingredients to a large pot and bring to a boil. Skim any scum that comes to the surface. Reduce heat and simmer about 30 minutes or until meat is just cooked. Do not overcook – you will have tough meat. Turn off heat.

Remove chicken and cool to handling temperature. Remove the meat from bones and chop into bite-sized pieces. Return to soup.

If you want the noodles – cook according to package directions, reducing the cooking time by a minute or two (they will absorb some of the chicken stock so you want them underdone). Make sure to season cooking water liberally with salt. Drain and add to soup.

Keep leftovers in the fridge or freezer and enjoy repeatedly until you feel more like yourself. And really, feel better.

Variations:

• If the thought of chomping on carrots and celery is too much for you, replace with one chopped onion which will melt into the broth. Follow above directions.
• Add cooked rice instead of noodles.
• If it’s a little one you are caring for, try adding shaped pasta such as alphabet letters or the petite Italian acini de pepe – anything for a smile!