Chicken Soup for the sickies...

This morning Jake asked if we had the ingredients for my homemade chicken and rice soup. It's one of his favorite things that I cook, especially after he's been sick. I had everything on hand and was more than happy to whip up a pot. The poor child hasn't had anything more than a saltine and a few sips of Gatorade in past 36 hours, so I was ready to make almost anything that sounded good to him. 

Plus we love soup around here...

We love it so much that we have dedicated bowls for eating it. And woe betide the parent who tries to eat anything else, like ice cream for instance, out of a bowl that is so clearly marked SOUP!

One of the things that makes this soup a favorite for me is how simple it is: 

Chicken broth of your choice

 (I just boil water and throw in the bullion cubes)

 cooked chicken breasts 

cooked white rice 

carrots 

celery 

onion

toss in a pot and let simmer until the vegetables are soft

But here is the secret ingredient that makes it the best soup ever!

I don't know all the herbs in this blend, but the one that stands out the most is lavender. I know, it sounds weird, but it really works. My mom sent away for some Herbs de Provence after trying it in a recipe at a restaurant a long time ago and she got this huge three pound bag of it. Which, when you consider how small an herb is, was a bit of an overkill. But that was my mom. She just cheerfully pressed a jar of it on all her friends and family, share the wealth. 

I used mine for a couple of years and when I finally ran out I was so sad. My chicken soup did NOT taste the same, even Brian noticed the difference. Finally I stumbled across some at Target and was so happy I did a little dance in the aisle.

The point of that whole narrative was if you'd like to try some you can find it at Target...

Does the fact that I've composed an entire post about chicken soup and Herbs de Provence give away the fact that I haven't left my house in three days and am going a bit stir crazy?