I love to cook and love it when my family eats what I prepare for them.
I often ask Mother Mary to join me in my kitchen as I cook for my people. It’s many a times that she has reminded me to add a certain spice, check on a roast, or make a little extra to share with extended family or friends that pop over unexpectedly.
Most of the time, my family requests their favorite dishes, especially for birthday meals. I find my weekly meal plan is determined by our family’s evening activities and by whichever kid was canny enough to suggest meals while I was planning.
I’ve found that the more often I present a dish, even if not well received, the more likable it becomes.
One of these dishes (which is actually more like a genre) is soup. I started feeding my very young children soup, and they hated it! But, as it’s one of my favorite things to eat and as it’s a one-pot kind of meal, I didn’t give up.
Years later, we have soups (and other dishes) named after each kid. Below is the recipe for Eli Soup. It’s a simplified creamy chicken and wild rice soup that my son can make on his own, much to our entire family’s delight. Additionally, I will occasionally prepare the rice mixture earlier in the day (or even the day before) and come dinner time, 10 minutes is all I need to get food to the table.
Eli Soup (Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup)
Recipe feeds 2 adults, 3 teens, 2 kids
2 – 4.3 oz Long Grain Wild Rice boxes (with spice packet)
1.5 cups shredded carrots
1 cup chopped onion
2 T minced garlic
1 T poultry seasoning
2 T butter or olive oil
4-6 cups shredded chicken
2 qts half and half (or heavy cream or fat free half and half)
1t salt and pepper
Sauté garlic, onions, and carrots in butter for 3 minutes. Add rice boxes with spice mixes and poultry seasoning. Stir. Add the correct amount of water as stated on the rice boxes. Cook according to rice box directions. Once finished, remove from heat and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
Once cooled, place over medium heat and add chicken and half and half. Heat through without bringing it to a boil. Add salt and pepper or season to taste.
As I tell my kids when cooking in the kitchen, ask Mother Mary to cook with you. She loves to feed her children!
