Dad's Quick Chicken Vegetable Soup

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted a recipe for you! Well I've got a good one today, actually it's from one of my favorite chef's in the world, my dad! He's what I like to call a base cooker. All his best recipes are a base that can be made into many different things. I posted his biscuit recipe a few weeks back and that is a base that can be made into pancakes, waffles, quick bread, and all kinds of other stuff. This particular recipe I just tasted to day and he whipped it up in ten minutes. I'm not joking! We all love quick and easy, and did I mention healthy? Yes, keep reading.

Do you have a hard time getting your kids to eat vegetables like I do? It is practically a fight to get them to eat any vegetables at all, it's really frustrating sometimes. Of course, they get it from me because my parents would tell you the same thing about me, "Never liked vegetables, a fight to get her to eat them every night." Well this soup is the solution! It's so yummy and flavorful and packed with the vegetable goodness of yellow squash and zucchini! So here it easy, quick, easy, and healthy.

You will need:

2 qts Chicken broth

3 chicken bullion cubes or tsp of chicken base

2 cans of canned chicken (13 oz liquid and all)

2 medium yellow squash or zucchini (very finely chopped)

1 tsp celery seed

1 tsp granulated garlic

1 1/2 tsp onion powder

3 dashes oregano

pasta noodles of your choice

Place the squash in the food processor/food chopper/blender and chop it very finely. In a large sauce pan combine all ingredients and bring it to a boil for 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat and let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes.

While the soup is starting to heat, cook your favorite noodles, drain, and set aside. These will be added to the soup as you like. If you cook the noodles in the soup or add them all to the soup, they will turn soggy over time. It is best to just add them to your bowl as would like and in the amount that you would like.

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As I was saying above, this is a base that you can use for other things as well. Here are a few of the other options.

1.) Mix together 6 eggs and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese; mix them very well to insure there are no lumps. While the above mixture is boiling on high, slowly add the egg mixture to the soup. With the above mixture, substitute chopped green onion for the onion powder, add the previous mixture of egg and cheese, and at the very end, add chopped spinach for an italian spinach soup.

2.) This mixture can be thickened with about 4-5 tbsp of cornstarch and poured over rice.

3.) You can also add 3 cups of your favorite cooked rice, pearl barley, or cooked lentils to the soup instead of pasta. The possibilities are endless!