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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Creamy Chicken Soup [Dairy free, Gluten free, Grains free, Sugar free]




Chicken soup for the soul?  This really does not get any better in a gluten and sugar free, thick and creamy soup - made in two variants, both smacked of total creamy soup decadence and amazingly body and soul warming, as well as nourishing.

Having made it twice for my friend to share with me, using both pureed cauliflower and the coconut milk version, this Cream of Chicken soup is a rich and flavorful comfort food without preservatives and complex carbohydrates, ideal for the bitterly cold winter weather currently being experienced throughout South Africa. It is delicious made with coconut oil to be autoimmune protocol-compliant - this was my fat of choice each time I made it. You may use pureed cauliflower for a no-coconut no-arrowroot version.

See below this recipe method, the Note for a coconut milk- and root flour-free version that gets its creaminess from pureed cauliflower. I deliberately kept this version pretty low carb, however,  for a higher carb content, pureed butternut, pumpkin or sweet potato may be used.

The seasoning to this soup is pretty neutral and even tasting, and may be tempered as preferred. I used an amazing Himalayan coconut and lime salt as seasoning and it added more depth in taste to a bowl-ful.
1/2 - 1 onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1 medium carrot, finely diced
3 cups chicken stock (home made, preservative and sugar free)
1/4 cup arrowroot powder or tapioca flour(see Notes for no-arrowroot no-coconut version)
1/4 cup water (not needed with alternate version)
1/2 - 1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tsp Himalayan or salt (less if your broth is salted) 
Optional: freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
3/4  cup coconut milk (Home made or preservative and sugar free; or pureed cauliflower, butternut, pumpkin or sweet potato - see below for alternate version)
Here's How

  • Add oil of choice into a pot over medium heat. Add the celery, carrots and onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and the onions translucent, for about 10 to 15 minutes.
 
  • Add in the chicken stock. If using arrowroot powder or tapioca flour, add it and 1/4 cup cool water to a small bowl or bottle and whisk or shake to combine. Add to pot along with parsley, thyme, bay leaf, and salt. i used an amazingly flavoured coconut and lime Himalayan Salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bubbly and thickened (if using the flour or powder).
  
  
  • Reduce heat, just enough to maintain a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes.
  • Stir in coconut milk (or pureed cauliflower) and chicken and heat through. 
 
This is a fairly thick soup; if you like it thinner, add more water, stock, or coconut milk and heat through. Remove bay leaf just before serving. This soup freezes well.
 
 

Note
Alternatively, you can use pureed cauliflower instead of the coconut milk and arrowroot powder or tapioca flour. This version is just as creamy.

To puree the cauliflower, place the florets from a medium cauliflower in a pot. Optionally, add a peeled and smashed garlic clove. Add water to cover and about 1/4 tablespoon salt. Boil 20 minutes or until soft. Strain off the water and puree until very smooth using hand blender or food processor. This makes about 2 cups - add the entire amount to the soup.

The method will apply if using butternut, pumpkin or sweet potato.

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