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Of course I chopped and added everything before I remembered to take a picture, so I took a picture of all the ingredients after the fact...a senior moment-oh-please-say-it-isn't-so! I used celery, carrots, chicken, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, sage, a small amount of soup starter, green beans, barley, salt and pepper, and no added water!
This is the finished product, bubbling away. The flavor was delicious, but if you have never made home made soup, remember that you don't have to cook it forever. I cooked this for 45 minutes, and it was too long. Things start to get too mushy, and Don agreed with me. But he ate every drop, and went back for seconds, so it wasn't too bad! And when adding barley, it does swell, and doesn't need to be added at the start of the soup, but way toward the end, about 10 minutes before serving. The chicken should also be added toward the end, because it is already cooked, and will be less flavorful if you re-cook it in the soup.
This was our dinner, thick and hot and delicious homemade chicken soup, biscuits that were not homemade, olives cause we like olives, and the correct wine which Don happily chooses for each dinner we have together. It really isn't hard, smells so good in your house, and is very satisfying.
Your soup is always so delicious! Your finished product at the table looks beautiful. Presentation is everything!
You are too kind, and I thank you! We had to work to get that presentation just right. Would you believe that I have really been using the extra small plates for the biscuits? It really is nicer. Especially with soup.
Michele you make me smile. I love the explanation for the olives (cause we like them), and I snickered at the not-homemade-biscuits admission. Truly a lovely meal for a lovely couple.