Traditional Soups and Appetizers

A comfort food that includes a meal prepared at home means you need not complete all the courses before moving on to the dessert, Having a leisurely meal is a custom and an art seemingly lost to us in today’s busy world. Remember, comfort food is a great stress reliever, but stress is not normally conducive to healthy eating.

Dominican Chicken Noodle Soup

(Caldo de Gallina)

Every culture has its version of chicken soup. When you feel a need for comfort food or a light meal, try this tropical twist on an old fashioned favourite. This soup recipe is also great for using up leftover chicken. This recipe uses calabaza (West Indian pumpkin). If you can’t find it locally, try hubbard or acorn squash as a substitute.

Servings about 6

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 lbs cooked chicken (skinned, boned,

cut into small pieces)

• 2 chicken bouillon cubes

• ½ cup celery stalk (chopped into cubes)

• 2 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)

• 1 tbsp dried cilantro (if not available,

substitute dried parsley)

• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

• ½ tsp white pepper (or to taste)

• 2 cups calabaza (peeled, seeded and cubed)

• 10 cups water

• 8 oz angel hair pasta

1. Heat olive oil in a soup pot.

2. Add chicken, bouillon cubes, celery, garlic, salt, pepper and dried cilantro.

Sauté for 3 - 4 minutes.

3. Add the water and calabaza. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium.

4. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes. Break up the angel hair pasta and add

to the pot.

5. Stir frequently until noodles are tender. Remove from the heat and serve.