Now starts the cold and flu season

So Friday, my son, who is never sick got the flu (or a cold). He recovered by friday but now I have gotten it and I am sure mine will linger a bit longer. One of my favorite things when I am sick is homemade soup. Thanks to some turkey leftovers from my Thanksgiving Pt 2 (Sat at my grams) I made turkey noodle soup and it cost me next to nothing.
I had some frozen noodles (they were great for soup) Reamers I think was the brand.
Irish Penicillin

I filled my pot about halfway with water and added a couple scoops of chicken broth. To that I added some minced garlic AND some Whole cloves of garlic (I like lots of garlic, it has great healing properties naturally). Then I added my still frozen noodle and some organic baby carrots (Whole) and let it cook for awhile. When it is near done I add just a pinch of red pepper flakes (this helps clear your stuffy nose). I added some fresh ground peppercorns. Finally I added some leftover turkey (ripped into bite size pieces). Cooked for about 10 minutes and served with crackers.

Notice there is no recipe per se, this is a highly adaptable to your taste. You can add chicken or beef, you can use veggie broth instead of chicken broth. Add barley, whatever you like. Let me tell you there is nothing like homemade soup.

Now there is a recipe that I love to make and keep on hand for soup nights...Cheesy Soft Pretzels...

Cheesy Soft Pretzels

1 package dry yeast
1 Tblspn sugar
1 1/2 C warm water
1 tspn salt (I use sea salt)
4 C Flour and (Can substitute whole wheat flour)
1 C flour (extra)
4 C grated cheese (I use cheddar or three cheese)
1 Egg
Kosher Salt optional

Dissolve yeast and sugar in water. Combine salt, 4 C of flour and cheese in a large bowl. Stir in yeast mixture and add more flour as needed to form a stiff dough. Knead 5.10 minutes until smooth.

I then separate it into three (there are 2 of us in my house makes 6-7 med pretzel sticks/balls
I will freeze 2 to enjoy at a later time.
Finally I take my leftover dough, call in my son and we form the pretzels on a SPRAYED cookie sheet (use foil for easy cleanup, but still spray it). We usually make sticks and balls. Now take your egg and mix it really well. Brush the egg over the pretzels and then sprinkle kosher salt to taste.


I love this recipes because it is fun to make with the kids and you have some to freeze. They are soooo good served with soup (or anything else really).