Friends, as many of you know, I’ve been recovering from recent health challenges, and now COVID has me down for the count. This week, I’m resting as my body heals. I really just need a timeout. But I wanted to share two of the go-to comforts that always help me feel cared for when I’m under the weather. I’ll be back at it next week. I want to write when I’m at my sharpest. In the meantime, stay healthy! It’s January in PA, and it’s hitting everyone hard.
Andrea’s Favorite Mug of Comfort
Feeling ill? Feeling the January blues?
When the world feels a little too heavy, or the house gets quiet after a long day, this is the cup of tea that wraps around you like a warm hug.
It’s simple, it’s sweet, and it’s exactly what your heart needs.
What You’ll Need:
• 1 Tetley tea bag (black tea works beautifully)
• 1-2 teaspoons Skinny Syrup toasted marshmallow flavoring (or to taste)
• A splash of milk (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1 cup hot water
• Your favorite mug (the one that fits perfectly in your hands)
Making Your Moment:
Heat your water until it’s just about to boil; steaming and ready. While it’s heating, place your tea bag in your favorite mug and add the toasted marshmallow flavoring. Pour the hot water over the tea bag and let it steep for 3-4 minutes, giving it time to become rich and full-bodied. Remove the tea bag, stir in your splash of milk until it turns that perfect creamy color, and take a deep breath. This is your moment. Wrap your hands around that mug and let the warmth seep in.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients:
• 1/2 Tablespoon butter
• 2 ribs of celery, diced
• 3-4 large carrots diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 10 cups chicken stock or broth*
• 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
• 1 batch of homemade egg noodles or 5 cups dry egg noodles, farfalle, or other bite-size pasta
• 3 cups rotisserie chicken
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
Directions:
Add butter, diced celery, and carrots to a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Sauté for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Add chicken stock, then season the broth with Italian seasoning, salt (definitely TASTE the broth before adding more), and pepper. Taste and add chicken bouillon cubes or granules as needed.
Bring broth to a boil. Add noodles (either uncooked homemade egg noodles or dry store-bought pasta) and cook until tender.
If using store-bought noodles, be cautious not to overcook them! Remove the pot from the heat as soon as they are just barely tender. The noodles will continue to cook after you remove the pot from the heat, and you don’t want them to get mushy.
Add chicken meat from the rotisserie chicken. Taste the broth again and add more seasoning if needed.
