The Startup Cook – Quick Chicken and Noodle Soup 

The country’s weather is as unpredictable as its internal political situation. One time - it's torrential rain, the other - it’s blistering sunshine! (At one point it’s a hullaballoo over the 20th A and then all of a sudden parliament is dissolved?). Obviously, a head cold at the very least is expected.

Hence when you’re under the weather, the best sort of warm food to revive that congested chest is the stuff you can make instantly. Based on that personal anecdote, I present to you a homemade remedy that is based on two separate processed foods. This very delicious and hearty Chicken and Noodle Soup, takes only a minimal amount of time (and just a tad bit of your already laboured patience) to execute, and guarantees a speedy road to recovery.

This is by far is the least ambitious culinary venture I have engaged in.  But the sense of pride I feel after making it is the same as if I had made Rachel Khoo’s Chicken Dumpling Soup. It really is an incredible quick-fix broth.

Ingredients 

200g of chicken
50 g of parsley
2 instant noodle packets
1 chicken and sweet corn soup packet
½ lime
Salt
Pepper
Oregano
Cinnamon

Directions 

Wash and cut the chicken in to bite size pieces.

Juice the lime over the chicken.

Add a teaspoon of salt, pepper, cinnamon, oregano to it, mix and leave it to marinade.

Wash and fine dice the parsley, and set it aside.

Add two cups of water to a pot, place it on a medium high flame, add the noodles in and boil until it’s cooked.

Once it’s cooked, add the given seasoning to the noodles, mix and set it aside.

Add half cup of water in to a pan, place the chicken in it and boil on a medium high flame for a few minutes.

Lower the flame, empty the contents of the soup packet in to the pan and pour six cups of water in to it.

Add a teaspoon of salt, two teaspoons of pepper and oregano to the soup.

Add the chopped parsley to the soup.

Bring the soup to a boil while stirring continuously.

Then add the cooked noodles to the soup, stir for few minutes and then take it off the flame.

Serve while it’s hot and with a dash of chillie paste.

Disasters, Warnings and Tips 

My fridge crashed. The chillie paste went bad. Gah!

This is one amazing quick fix soup. So yum!

Both the chicken and noodles will make the soup thicker.

Prima was the brand of the instant noodles I used - a safer option I believe.

Toss the parsley stalks in to the soup while it’s been made. It provides super flavour. But fish it out before you serve.

You may have to add an extra cup of water.

I was listening to the song Chicken Noodle Soup while making this. I like my entertainment to match the food I make.

Lead has been found in certain noodle brands. Do be careful.

Use spices according to personal taste.

The chicken is an additional touch. When I’m sick it’s only soup and noodles.

My father is the biggest fan of this recipe.

By Shazzana Hamid