Chicken soup is an old culinary friend who heals and comforts. Quickly prepared in countless variations, there is nothing exotic or extravagant about this excellent source of protein that combines so well with other ingredients in the soup pot.

Excellent chicken stock can be purchased in the super market. It is well-flavored, and clears the way for you to improvise and develop dozens of your own special soup combinations with a minimum of fuss and bother.

These are three of my favorites with some variations. You will have others to enjoy and add to your collection of soup recipes.

• Cream of chicken soup, made at home, has the delicious flavors of chicken, cream (the non-fat half-and-half works well), and a touch of sherry. It is easily made in a few minutes.
• Thai chicken and coconut soup uses the familiar flavors of ginger and soy sauce, but offers a bit of spice and a bit of the exotic.
• Pennsylvania Dutch chicken corn soup is chicken noodle soup that is homey and hearty with the flavor of fresh corn. The sprinkle of pop corn as a garnish over the bowl adds a special touch, maybe a chuckle, but accents the flavor of corn, and very nicely completes the dish.

Cream of Chicken Soup with Sherry

Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• ½ cup dry sherry or ¾ cup dry white wine
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 1 bouquet garni (3 sprigs each, parsley stems, thyme, and rosemary tied together into a cheesecloth bag)
• 1 cup milk or non-fat half-and-half
• 2 cups cubed chicken breast (This may be poached in the stock, cooled and cubed, before you start the soup.)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. In 4-quart soup pot, cook onion until translucent but not browned.
2. Stir in flour and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes until it has a pleasant, toasty smell, but is lightly browned.
3. Pour in sherry and broth and whisk soup for 30 seconds to dissolve any lumps in flour.
4. Add bouquet garni and bring soup to slow simmer, and simmer gently for 20 minutes.
5. Add milk and chicken; simmer for 1 minute longer.
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Variations and Additions

When you add milk to the soup, you might also add:

• Sliced mushrooms, which are especially good.
• Carrots, celery, leeks, cooked potatoes, or leftover green vegetables are also good choices.

A couple teaspoons of chopped parsley, chives, or tarragon, added with the milk, add freshness to the flavor and interest to the appearance.

A tablespoon of curry powder added with the flour produces a lovely curry soup.

Cooked rice added at the last minute makes the soup more substantial.

Thai Chicken and Coconut Soup

Spicy and delicious, Thai chicken and coconut soup, illustrates the reason Thai food has increased in popularity during the last few years.

Using purchased chicken stock, the soup is prepared in minutes with just the right touch of the exotic.

To make the soup:

* Bring to a boil in 4-quart soup pot

3 cups chicken stock

2 2/3 cups unsweetened coconut milk

* Reduce heat and stir in:

2 small Thai peppers or 3 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and sliced

3 Tbsp Thai fish sauce or soy sauce

1 tsp minced peeled fresh ginger

1/8 tsp salt

* Simmer 10 minutes, and then stir in:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced

2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

* Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Ladle into warmed bowls.

* Garnish with:

Chopped fresh cilantro

Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Corn Soup

Chicken noodle soup that is hearty, but with a bit of a chuckle. Some recipes call for a garnish of pop corn to enhance the corn flavor and provide additional crunch to the so.

To make the soup:

* Bring to a boil in a 4-quart soup pot:

6 cups chicken stock

* Stir in:

1 ¾ cups short, wide egg noodles

1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels

* Cook, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender but firm. Stir in cooked, shredded chicken along with

1 hard-cooked egg, chopped

1 ½ Tbsps chopped fresh parsley

* Ladle into warmed bowls; garnish with a generous sprinkle of pop corn.

And, here you have 3 very different chicken soups, all easily-made, and guaranteed to please and satisfy.