Chicken soup 46461 225231791 2008-07-12T16:23:06Z 60.48.180.127 {{redirect|Chicken Noodle Soup|the DJ Webstar song|Chicken Noodle Soup (song)}} {{for|the book series|Chicken Soup for the Soul}} [[Image:Bowl of chicken soup.jpg|225px|right|thumb|A bowl of homemade chicken soup. Because it is simple to prepare, relatively cheap, nutritious, and easy on the digestive system, chicken soup is a good food for winter [[convalescence]].]] '''Chicken soup''' is a [[soup]] made by boiling [[chicken]] parts or bones in water, with various vegetables and flavorings. The classic chicken soup consists of a clear [[broth]], often served with small pieces of chicken or vegetables, or with [[noodles]] or [[dumplings]], or grains such as [[rice]] and [[barley]]. Chicken soup has also acquired the reputation of a [[Home remedy|folk remedy]] for [[common cold|colds]] and [[influenza|flus]], and in many countries including the [[United States]] is considered a classic [[comfort food]]. Traditionally, chicken soup is preferably cooked using old hens and boiling fowl too tough and stringy to be [[roast]]ed or cooked for a short time. In modern cities fowl are difficult to come by, and broiler chickens (young chickens suitable for broiling or roasting) are often used to make soup; soup hens or fowl are to be preferred when available. ==Terminology== Several terms are sometimes confused when referring to chicken soup or chicken soups. The following is an attempt to clarify the terminology: *'''Chicken [[Stock (food)|stock]]''' is a liquid in which chicken and vegetables have been boiled for the purpose of serving as an ingredient in more complex dishes. Chicken stock is not usually served as is. Stock can be made with less palatable parts of the chicken, such as feet, necks or bones: the higher bone content in these parts contributes more [[gelatin]] to the liquid, making it a better base for sauces. Stock can be reboiled and reused as the basis for a new stock. [[Bouillon cube]]s are often used instead of chicken stock prepared from scratch. *'''Chicken [[broth]]''' is the liquid part of chicken soup. Broth can be served as is, or used as stock, or served as soup with noodles. Broth can be milder than stock, does not need to be boiled as long, and can be made with meatier chicken parts. *'''Chicken [[Bouillon (broth)|bouillon]]''' or '''bouillon de poulet''' is the French term for chicken broth. *'''Chicken [[consommé]]''' is a more refined chicken broth. It is usually strained to perfect clarity, and reduced to concentrate it. * While any soup in which chicken has been boiled or with a chicken stock base is, strictly speaking, a chicken soup, '''chicken soup''', unless qualified, implies that the soup is served as a thin broth, possibly with pieces of meat, vegetables, noodles, or dumplings. ==Curative powers== According to food historians chicken soup was prescribed as a cure for the common cold in [[Ancient Egypt]] {{Fact|date=November 2007}}. The [[10th century]] Persian physician [[Avicenna]] referred to the curative powers of chicken soup in his writings. In the [[12th century]] the Jewish sage [[Maimonides]] wrote that chicken soup “has virtue in rectifying corrupted humours”, and recommended it as nutrition for [[convalescents]]; Maimonides also particularly recommended chicken soup for people suffering from [[hemorrhoid]]s and the early stages of [[leprosy]]. <ref>[http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/161/12/1532 Ohry, A, Tsafrir, J. (1999) Is Chicken Soup an Essential Drug? ''Canadian Medical Association Journal''. '''161''' (12)] </ref>. Modern [[research]] conducted by Dr. Stephen Rennard, professor of pulmonary and [[Intensive care medicine|critical care medicine]], and his colleagues at the [[University of Nebraska Medical Center]] in [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]] suggests that there might be some scientific basis for the belief in the curative powers of chicken soup. They found that the particular blend of nutrients and vitamins in traditional chicken soup can slow the activity of certain [[white blood cells]]. This may have an [[anti-inflammatory]] effect that could hypothetically lead to temporary ease from symptoms of illness. Their research was published in 2000 in the [[scientific journal]] ''Chest''<ref>[http://www.unmc.edu/publicaffairs/chickensoup/chickensouppublishedstudy2000.pdf ''Chest'', volume 118, pages 1150-1157: “Chicken Soup Inhibits Neutrophil Chemotaxis ''In Vitro''”]</ref>. This was not, however, an ''in vivo'' [[clinical trial]], and did not demonstrate that chicken soup was the best foodstuff for this purpose. <!-- http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=604935 has lots of references. --> Because it is simple to prepare, relatively cheap, nutritious, and easily [[Gastrointestinal tract|digested]], chicken soup is a good food for winter convalescents. Sipping warm soup can also clear the sinuses because of the steam ventilating into the nasal passages, serving as a natural [[decongestant]], which also relieves cold and flu symptoms. Last, but not least, chicken soup can be beneficial due to the [[placebo effect]] of comfort foods. ==Chicken soup in different cultures== ===Britain=== Chicken Soup (or Broth) in Britain is a clear and watery soup with chunky vegetables (such as carrot, celery and onion), chicken and salt. However cream of chicken soup is commonly more popular. It is a thick creamy soup. ===Belgium=== The " Gentse-[[waterzooi]]" is a stew with chicken, vegetables and cream originally from [[Ghent]], [[Belgium]]. A [[stew]]-like form of chicken soup is called Chicken [[Booyah]], known in [[Wisconsin]] as “Belgian Penicillin”. ===Portugal/Brazil=== Chicken soup is known as Canja[http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canja]. Canja is a chicken broth prepared with [[rice]] and shredded [[Chicken (food)|chicken meat]]. It is seasoned with salt, onions, garlic, [[cumin]] and [[bay leaf|bay leaves]]. It is believed to help a person overcome colds, digestive problems, among other mild forms of sickness. ===Chinese=== Many [[East Asia]]n soups are based on [[chicken broth]]. Typical Chinese chicken soup are made from old hens and are seasoned with ginger, [[Scallion|spring onions]], [[star anise]], [[black pepper]], [[soy sauce]], [[rice wine]] and [[sesame oil]]. ===Colombian=== [[Image:Ajiaco.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Ajiaco]] of [[Bogotá]] - [[Colombia]].]] [[Bogotá]], [[Colombia|Colombia’s]] capital, is known for a version of chicken soup called ''[[ajiaco]]''. Along with chicken, ''ajiaco'' typically includes [[sweetcorn]], several types of [[potato]]es, [[avocado]], [[capers]], an herb called ''[[Galinsoga parviflora|guascas]]'', and is served with a dollop of [[sour cream]]. [[Sancocho]] de Gallina is another popular dish throughout Colombia and in neighboring countries. This is a broth that includes entire pieces of (often rather tough) soup hen on the bone with large pieces of [[plantain]], potato, [[yucca]] and/or other vegetables. A bowl of Sancocho is usually an entire meal. (Other Colombian sancochos include beef and fish-based broths prepared and served similarly). ===Eastern European=== In [[Bulgaria]] chicken soup is often seasoned with [[Lemon|lemon juice]] or [[vinegar]]. The [[Poland|Polish]] sometimes serve ground almonds in their [[rosół]]: this was probably the basis for a form of [[crouton]]s popular in [[Israel]], known as [[soup almonds]]. ===French=== The French serve chicken-based forms of bouillon and consommé. Typical French seasoning for chicken soup includes: bay leaves, fresh thyme, dry [[Wine|white wine]] and garlic. ===German=== In Germany homemade chicken soup typically consists of chicken broth to which kitchen herbs and (often) [[durum wheat]] noodles are added. Another dish made with chicken broth, pieces of chicken, boiled vegetables and kitchen herbs is known as Hühnereintopf, meaning ''chicken stew''. Another way of making chicken soup from Germany is to make homemade noodles and add them to the chicken broth with no vegetables and just [[pickling spice]], [[Salt-N-Pepa|salt and pepper]] are added to it. ===Greek=== In Greece chicken soup is usually made with lemon and eggs, and served with rice. This soup, called [[avgolemono]] (''egg and lemon'') is a traditional remedy for colds and [[hangovers]]. ===Italian=== In Italy, chicken soup is often served with pasta, in such dishes as ''cappelletti in brodo'', ''tortellini in brodo'' and ''passatelli''. ===Jewish=== Chicken soup is a traditional dish of the [[Jewish cusine|Jewish kitchen]]. The 12th century [[rabbi]] and physician [[Maimonides]] touted the benefits of chicken soup to ones health.<ref>[http://www.epicureantable.com/articles/archicsoup.htm Article: Chicken Soup-Culinary Poetry<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Recent studies have proven its famed salubrious properties.<ref>[http://www.epicureantable.com/articles/archicsoup.htm Article: Chicken Soup-Culinary Poetry<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It’s often known colloquially as “Jewish penicillin.” [[Ashkenazi Jews]] living in [[shtetls]] were often very poor, but chicken-raising required few resources.<ref>[http://www.epicureantable.com/articles/archicsoup.htm Article: Chicken Soup-Culinary Poetry<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Most Jewish families would try to acquire at least one chicken for [[Shabbat]] and try to make the most of it, using as much of the chicken as they could. Dishes such as [[chopped liver]], ''[[helzel]]'' (stuffed chicken neck), ''[[gribenes]]'' ([[crackling]] made from fat and skin), ''[[pupik]]'' (roasted gizzards), ''[[p'tcha]]'' (chicken feet) were born of poverty-driven necessity. [[Chicken fat]] was rendered into [[schmaltz]] and used for cooking. The remaining carcass was used to prepare the soup. [[Image:Chicken Soup With Kreplach.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Kreplach]] shaped in the form of [[hamantash]]en float in a bowl of chicken soup made for the [[Purim]] [[seudat mitzvah|seudah]].]] The soup, prepared with chicken flesh, vegetables like [[carrots]] and [[onions]], and herbs like [[parsley]] and [[dill]], was often served with ''[[kneidlach]]'' (matzah balls), ''[[kreplach]]'' (dumplings), ''[[lokshen]]'' (flat egg noodles), or ''[[mandlen]]'' (soup "nuts"). A traditional garnish was unlaid chicken eggs, which were taken from a hen and boiled in the soup.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/dining/07eggs.html?ex=1328504400&en=4baf21b1f8cba27b&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss What the Egg Was First - New York Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Modern health standards make these difficult to obtain now. ===Korean=== ''[[Samgyetang]]'' is a Korean chicken soup with Korean ginseng, dried [[jujube]] fruits, garlic, ginger, [[glutinous rice]], and sometimes other medicinal herbs. It is held to be not only a cure for physical ailments but a preventer of sickness. ''Baeksuk'', which is the Korean counterpart to the chicken noodle soup of Western culture, is also popular among Koreans for its power to cure minor illnesses such as a cold. While the chicken noodle soup, as the name suggests, has some noodles in it quite often, Baeksuk does not contain any noodles. ===Mexico=== [[Caldo de pollo]] is a common [[Latin America|Latin-American]] [[soup]] made with whole chicken pieces instead of chopped or shredded chicken, and large cuts of vegetables, such as half-slices of potatoes and whole leaves of cabbage. Another variation of chicken soup is [[caldo tlalpeño]] which is garnished with chopped avocado, white cheese, and a [[chipotle]] chile. ===United States and Canada=== In the United States and Canada, chicken soup often has [[noodle]]s in it, thus giving it its common name of “chicken [[noodle soup]].” The term may have been coined in a commercial for [[Campbell Soup Company|Campbell’s soup]] in the 1930’s. The original 21 varieties of Campbell’s condensed soup featured a “chicken soup with noodles”, but when it was advertised on the “[[Amos & Andy]]” [[Radio programming|radio show]] in the 1930s by a slip of the tongue the soup was referred to as “chicken noodle soup”; Campbell's was preparing to discontinue the soup due to low sales. After the broadcast, letters began pouring in asking for Chicken Noodle Soup. Campbell’s then changed the name of their soup. Several variations on chicken noodle (Usually with the pasta in various shapes such as "ABC's" or stars) have made chicken soup one of Campbell's best selling products. ==Chicken soup in history and media== * When [[Manilal Gandhi]], son of [[Mahatma Gandhi]], contracted typhoid and pneumonia, a doctor recommended chicken soup and eggs. As strict [[vegetarian]]s, his parents would not agree to this, but Manilal received treatment and recovered. * Chicken soup is mentioned in [[John Steinbeck]]’s ''[[East of Eden]]'': "And Tom brought him chicken soup until he wanted to kill him. The lore has not died out of the world, and you will still find people who believe that soup will cure any hurt or illness and is no [[Bad Thing|bad thing]] to have for the funeral either." * Both [[Maurice Sendak|Maurice Sendak’s]] ''[[Chicken Soup with Rice]]'' and his [[Animation|animated film]] and stage production ''[[Really Rosie]]'' (with music by [[Carole King]]) make multiple references to the dish. * There is a [[Book series|series of books]] entitled ''[[Chicken Soup for the Soul]]''. * ''Chicken Soup'' was the title of a short-lived 1989 [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] [[sitcom]] starring [[Jackie Mason]]. * Chicken Noodle Soup is a popular children’s song by Gibbs promoting Campbell’s chicken noodle soup. * “[[Chicken Noodle Soup (Song)|Chicken Noodle Soup]]” feat. [[Young B]]. was made into a popular [[Hip hop|hip-hop]] song by [[DJ Webstar]]. * Chicken soup was referred to on the [[Law & Order]] TV series by [[Jerry Orbach]] as "Jewish penicillin". ==Preparation== The flavor of the chicken in chicken soup is most potent when the chicken is boiled in water with salt and only a few vegetables, such as onion, carrots, and celery. Variations on the flavor are gained by adding [[root vegetable]]s such as parsnip, potato, [[sweet potato]] and celery root, herbs such as parsley and dill, and other vegetables such as zucchini, whole garlic cloves or tomatoes. The soup should be brought to a boil and then simmered in a covered pot on a very low flame for one to three hours, adding water if necessary. Seasonings such as black pepper can be added. A clearer broth is achieved by skimming the film of congealed fat off the top of the soup as it is cooking; the broth can be further clarified by straining it through a strainer or cheesecloth. [[Saffron]] or [[turmeric]] are sometimes added as a yellow colorant. <!-- Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Avoid_weasel_words to fix the following sentence: It has also been said that the amount of scum can be reduced by first bringing the chicken to boil from a pot of cold water and discarding it before continuing. --> ==Nutritional value== Chicken soup can be a relatively [[Diet food|low fat]] food: fat can be removed by chilling the soup after cooking and skimming the layer of congealed fat from the top. The nutritional value of chicken soup can be boosted by adding [[turkey (bird)|turkey]] meat to chicken soup recipes: turkey is a richer source of [[iron]]. A study determined that "prolonged cooking of a bone in soup increases the calcium content of the soup when cooked at an acidic, but not at a neutral pH".<ref>[http://www.springerlink.com/content/p7u013w7360016w2/ Chicken soup revisited: Calcium content of soup increases with duration of cooking]</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} *Aish HaTorah Women’s Organization (1987). ''The Taste of Shabbos: The Complete Sabbath Cookbook''. Jerusalem:Feldheim Publishers. ISBN 0-87306-426-7. * [http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodsoups.html#stock definitions and history of stock, broth, bouillon and consommé from various sources] * [http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/118/4/1150/ Rennard, BA, Ertl, RF, Gossman, GL, ''et al''. (2000). Chicken soup inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. ''Chest''. '''118''', 1150-1157] * [http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/161/12/1532 Ohry, A, Tsafrir, J. (1999) Is Chicken Soup an Essential Drug? ''Canadian Medical Association Journal''. '''161''' (12)] * [http://www.springerlink.com/content/p7u013w7360016w2/ Chicken soup revisited: Calcium content of soup increases with duration of cooking] ==External links== {{Cookbook|Chicken Soup}} * [http://www.parshift.com/ovens/Secrets/secrets025.htm Chicken stock and chicken broth] * [http://www.pbs.org/saf/1210/features/know2.htm PBS article on Rennard’s study] * [http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/food/chickensoup/ Consumer's Market article on Rennard’s study] * [http://www.mysouprecipes.com/coldyogurt-chickensoup.php Cold Yogurt Chicken Soup] ==See also== *[[Broth]] *[[Tabatchnick Fine Foods]] [[Category:Chicken dishes]] [[Category:Soups]] [[ar:شوربة الدجاج]] [[de:Hühnersuppe]] [[es:Caldo de pollo]] [[he:מרק עוף]] [[nl:Kippensoep]] [[ja:チキンスープ]] [[pl:Rosół]]