Wednesday, May 13

Cure-Whatever-Ails-You Chicken Soup with Ravioli

Makes 8 -10 servings
Total cost: NY $13.34
Cost per serving: NY $1.33 – NY $1.67

Chicken Soup with Ravioli
Even though Spring has at last arrived, I seem to have caught this cold/flu thing that’s been making the rounds at my office, felling everyone in its wake. Thus, it seemed an appropriate time to post this recipe. I’ve been making this for years, both for myself and others, and I personally guarantee that it will make you feel much rejuvenated.

Chicken Soup with Ravioli
Its spicy enough to pierce congested nasal passages, but the mellowness of the chicken broth and the cool mildness of the ravioli ensure that its not too much for tender throats and confused palates.* You’ll feel your sinuses clearing just from breathing in the aroma of the vegetables sauteeing, and your stuffed passages unclogging as you slurp the zesty and restorative chicken broth. Inhale deeply and let the recovery begin!

Chicken Soup with Ravioli
Ingredients
  • 1.5 tbsps olive oil (staple)
  • 3 cloves garlic (NY $0.10)
  • 1 large onion, such as Vidalia (NY $0.73)
  • 1 red pepper (NY $2.15)
  • 1 green pepper (NY $1.00)
  • 1 tbsp oregano (staple)**
  • 1 tsp dried basil (staple)
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper (staple)**
  • Salt and pepper to taste (staple)
  • 6 cups chicken broth (NY $4.59)
  • 2 medium zucchini (NY $2.43)
  • 2 medium carrots (about 1.5 cups) (NY $0.75 for one bag)
  • 1 13 oz package frozen cheese ravioli (NY $1.59)
  • Parmesan cheese (staple)
Chicken Soup with Ravioli
Directions
Mince garlic, and chop onion and peppers. Heat oil oil in soup pot until fragrant, and add chopped veggies along with the spices and a few grinds black pepper. Cook until just tender, approx. 10 minutes. Meanwhile, chop the zucchini into half moons about ¼ inch thick, and peel and chop the carrots.

Chicken Soup with Ravioli
Add broth to pot, cover and simmer approx. 5 minutes. Add carrots, cover, and continue cooking until the carrots are close to tender but still a bit crisp, approx. 5 minutes.

Chicken Soup with Ravioli
Increase heat, bring to a boil, and add ravioli and zucchini. Stir to ensure ravioli are just submerged under the top of the soup, and, if necessary, return to a boil. Continue boiling until ravioli is cooked and just tender, approx. 10-15 minutes or according to package directions.
Adjust seasoning to taste, and serve in bowls topped with grated parmesan cheese.

Chicken Soup with Ravioli
* True story: back in school I cured my friend Ginger of the SARS virus with this soup. OK, fine, she didn’t *really* have SARS, but she was hospitalized and they thought for a while there that that's what she had and quarantined her and everything. And, if you’re going to insist on being such a stickler, it didn’t technically “cure” her of disease, but she *did* say she felt much better after the soup and that she liked it a lot. Happy now? You really know how to kill a good story, don’t you?

Chicken Soup with Ravioli
** As noted, I like the spices in this on the “so aggressive, you wouldn’t want to run into them in a back alley at night” side. All the better to clear your nasal passages with, my dear! If, however, the sound of that makes you nervous, or if you’re feeling so delicate that you think applesauce might be a bit of an adventure, drop down to approx. ½ a tsp red pepper, and 1 tsp oregano.

Chicken Soup with Ravioli
Nutritional Facts
Approximate values per serving

Calories 147.1Vitamin A 85.7 %Iron 10.8 %
Total Fat 6.2 gVitamin B-12 10.0 % Magnesium 4.7 %
Cholesterol 17.5 mgVitamin B-6 11.5 %Manganese 27.4 %
Sodium 1,267.1 mgVitamin C 94.2 %Niacin 26.2 %
Potassium 559.2 mgVitamin D 0.0 %Phosphorus 17.7 %
Total Carbohydrate 16.6 gVitamin E 3.9 %Riboflavin 8.9 %
Fiber 2.3 gCalcium 16.3 %Selenium 10.8 %
Sugars 3.1 gCopper 13.4 %Thiamin 4.8 %
Protein 7.3 gFolate 6.7 %Zinc 4.7 %

12 comments:

  1. I LOVE soup and this looks so hearty and delicious :)

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  2. I actually need some of this soup myself! I'm sick right now and this cold is kicking me hard in the butt!

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  3. That looks delish. Chicken soup does heal in every way and not just the soul.

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  4. Chicken soup and cheese ravioli - what's not to like? Yum! Feel better soon.

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  5. Broth and pasta make the world go round. This looks wonderful. Different variations are a staple in my home. I am a great believer in the restorative powers of chicken soup!

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  6. That looks delicious! Ravioli is such a comfort food for me. This looks like a great recipe where there are far fewer empty calories. I am going to have to try some.

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  7. You seem to really good with soups. This one is fantastic. Hot Chicken soup when you are down is comforting but you have really jazzed this one to make it really really tasty:-)

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  8. This soup looks and sounds delicious !

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  9. Just the ingredients have my mouth watering. I love the rough cut zucchini in it. I may have to cut back on the pepper flakes for my family, though. Some of my kids, and my wife, still have "confused palates," as you say. I'm working on then, though. :-)

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  10. I need this this week! I think I had the swine flu! Looks so nourishing!

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  11. Looks to be extremely nice and delicious. well done :) xx Rico|Recipes

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