Chicken & Stars Soup
21 comments »
I have five truly fantastic sisters. But the one right below me, Natalie, has always been a mystery to me.
For instance, I have no idea how she knew on the day that I called her with my chin begging for stitches after a minor sledding accident a few years back, that I really, really, really needed her to say, “oh, honey. That is so not what you wanted to do with your day today.” She always knows how to say exactly what you need to hear. I don’t get it. How has she honed such a talent to perfection?
I’m equally confused at how she always has stacks of new clothes for my children whenever we visit her. And how she finds time to organize precious family heirlooms. And how she remembers everything about said family heirlooms, when I can’t even remember what I did yesterday. She’s amazing, I tell you.
There are a thousand other mysteries about Natalie. How she would stay up every night when we were kids, tickling my back until I fell asleep, and she’d never even get mad about it or ask for givebacks. How she could store her Halloween candy until the Easter stash arrived. How she somehow knows what every one of us five sisters needs at any given moment.
But, perhaps the greatest mystery about that sister of mine came some years back, when I called my Grandma for a monthly chat and heard this, “Did you know Grandpa Brown was feeling sick last week? He had a bad cold.” No, I did not know this. After all, I only checked in monthly. Shamefully busy me. “Well, do you know what that sister of yours did? She found out Grandpa was sick and sent him a mug and chicken noodle soup all the way from Denver. I tell you what, it made our day.”
And that is my always thoughtful, bafflingly generous, entirely big-hearted sister for you. I don’t get how she got so good. I sure hope to figure it out some day and emulate her to a T.
In the meantime, however, there is one thing I know for certain. I love that girl with all my heart, and all my soul, and all my little merry ho. She’s pure goodness in a pot.
Homemade Pasta Stars
for 12-Hour Chicken & Stars Soup
These easy little egg noodles are the pièce de résistance of homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. Don't let the term "homemade pasta" fool you. The dough can be stirred together at a moments noticed, then dropped immediately into a bath of boiling soup. Of course, these pasta stars can also be made ahead and left on the countertop overnight to dry, then frozen until you are ready to need homemade pasta stars. Which, of course, will be everyday when you see how easy and adorable they are to make from scratch.
Ingredients:
1 egg
1/2-1 cup flour
pinch of saltDirections:
In a medium bowl, crack the egg and whisk it lightly until beaten. Begin stirring in the flour & salt until a pliable dough forms (it shouldn't be sticky, but you don't want it too tough, either. Somewhere between the two is divine). On a floured surface, use a wooden rolling pin to roll the dough out until it's very thin. Using a small star-shaped cookie cutter, cut 100 (or so) small stars from the dough. Drop one at a time into a boiling pot of 12-Hour Chicken & Stars Soup. Allow to cook for 5-10 minutes. Eat & enjoy.
subscribe to
email updates
Follow Me on
Like Me on
Anonymous on January 7, 2011 at 12:28 am
There's a problem with the link. Babble states "oops, can't find it". Looks delish.
Theresa on January 7, 2011 at 3:38 am
The link after the jump didn't work for me either. =/ Quite sad as your soup looks lovely. The home made stars are awesome! I've never made my own pasta but I just might have to try these in my spicy chicken noodle soup I make.
Anonymous on January 7, 2011 at 5:56 am
Link didn't work for me either – I'd love to make the soup – looks delicious!
Anonymous on January 7, 2011 at 6:43 am
Homemade stars??!! Gorgeous Brooke. Yes, your sister is a champ – but you deserve all the stars & praise too my friend :) xo
Amy | She Wears Many Hats on January 7, 2011 at 6:50 am
What a precious sister! She's a keeper.
Nik on January 7, 2011 at 7:52 am
That is so cool that you love your sister so much. She sounds pretty darn great. I wish me and my sister were close but, sadly, we never have been. Maybe someday it will change, I can always hope!
Yous soup looks great, with about 6 inches of snow and another 6 inches due by Sunday I may just have to make some.
Thanks for a little sunshine is my day <3
Jennifer (Savor) on January 7, 2011 at 7:58 am
Goodness in my life: my health, kids, hubby, stay at home/work at home mom, your friendship
Maria on January 7, 2011 at 9:09 am
Homemade soup is the best! Love this one!
Shaina on January 7, 2011 at 9:17 am
This is just lovely! I'm sure the kids were thrilled!
Cajun Chef Ryan on January 7, 2011 at 9:23 am
Oh my stars!!! And the star anise too, what great flavor!
Bon appetit!
CCR
=:~)
Cubicle on January 7, 2011 at 9:56 am
Wow…that looks delicious. I was taking care of a sick one yesterday and this would've been great!
Google on January 7, 2011 at 10:42 am
This is simply delightful recipe! If the soup chicken soup dosen't make you feel better, the presentation surely will! Great idea, and wonderful pictures.
Carolyn Jung on January 7, 2011 at 10:50 am
Homemade chicken soup is THE best. You can really taste the chicken, unlike with those canned varieties in the stores. The little stars make it extra special, too, especially if you are feeling under the weather.
Jaime on January 7, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Aw, I love this Brooke.
It's so cute.
tomiannie on January 7, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Oh, that looks lovely! I have 5 sisters myself, and I just can't imagine life without them. I'm having all my siblings over for dinner on Sunday — maybe I'll make a big pot of love with stars for them! :)
Leslie on January 8, 2011 at 8:32 pm
That would make me feel better too!!! Adorable little stars
Cheeky Kitchen on January 9, 2011 at 9:13 am
The stars really do make it fun, don' they? And…Savor…your friendship is goodness in my life, too. XO
smalltownoven on January 9, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Those cute little stars make this one of the most inviting bowls of soup I've ever seen!
ann on January 9, 2011 at 4:08 pm
This soup looks fantastic. Love the stars!
Anonymous on January 10, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Brooke – I LOVE the stars (and the soup story). I just made some stars with rice and amarynth flour for my wheat allergic son. I'm sure he'll be surprised when he gets home this afternoon and I have a plate of cheesy stars awaiting him! Thank you. I had no idea it would be so easy.
kct
Pingback: Buttery Pastina Recipe | Leite's Culinaria