Big Batch Chicken Soup Food

BIG-BATCH CHICKEN SOUP

Steps:

• Fry the sofrito mix in the rapeseed oil for about 10 mins until it is really soft and the onion is translucent. Do this over a low heat and don't let it brown. Tip into a casserole.
• Sit the chicken on top of the sofrito, add the bay leaf and stock melts and enough cold water to come most of the way up the chicken. Bring slowly to a simmer and then put a lid on the casserole. Cook for 1 hr then check whether the chicken is cooked through - the meat should have started to pull away from the ends of the legs if it is. Carefully lift the chicken out of the pan and let it cool a little then ease the breast meat from the carcass. (Cool and chill the breasts if you want to keep them for another day, or chop them if you want to make a generous batch of this soup.) Strip the remaining meat off the bones and chop it into cubes small enough to sit on a soup spoon.
• Taste the broth the chicken was cooked in and if it tastes weak, then boil it for 15-20 mins to reduce it then taste again. Don't season it until you are happy with the flavour. If you want to chill or freeze some of the soup base do it now and add the rest of the ingredients later when you reheat it. Stir in the peas and sweetcorn (if using) along with the soup pasta and bring back to a simmer. Add back the chicken meat.

BIG-BATCH CHILE-CHICKEN POSOLE

Steps:

• Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon of the oregano, 1 teaspoon salt and some black pepper; set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onions, jalapenos and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 6 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to a blender. Add 2 cups of the broth, the chiles, cilantro and the remaining 1 teaspoon oregano, and puree until smooth.
• Return the mixture to the Dutch oven. Add the hominy and the remaining 6 cups broth, and bring to a simmer. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and turns deep green, about 12 minutes. Add the seasoned chicken, and simmer until tender and cooked through, about 12 minutes more.
• Let the soup cool to room temperature, then divide among four 1-quart containers and freeze for up to 1 month.
• To reheat: Let the soup thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until heated through. Thin with a little water if desired, and adjust the seasoning with salt.
• Garnish with avocado, radishes and/or corn chips if using.