Yia Yia Chicken Avgolemono Soup Food

GREEK LEMON CHICKEN SOUP AKA AVGOLEMONO

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Add the chicken breasts and then lower to a simmer. Simmer until the chicken is just cooked through and the internal temperature registers 160 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes; remove to a bowl. Once cooled, shred the chicken and reserve.
• Add the orzo or rice to the pot with the chicken stock and cook until al dente, 5 to 8 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and most of the lemon juice, reserving some to add later as needed. Fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites. Once combined, ladle in some hot stock to temper the egg mixture, whisking constantly and adding the hot liquid slowly. Very slowly, add the warm whipped egg/lemon mixture into the pot, whisking constantly to prevent any curds or clumps from forming. Continue to cook over medium-low to medium heat, whisking, until the soup thickens, about 10 minutes more.
• Add the shredded chicken and any reserved juices to the soup. Add the lemon zest and season with salt and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper. Taste and add additional lemon juice if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley.

YIA YIA'S AVGOLEMONO

Steps:

• Place the chicken, salt, onion, carrots, celery, and water into a stock pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the chicken is tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Skim away any scum that forms as the chicken simmers.
• Strain and reserve the broth in a clean pot. Pick the meat from the chicken, discarding the bones, skin, and vegetables. Cut the meat into small pieces, and set aside. Bring the broth to a boil over medium heat and stir in the orzo pasta. Let simmer 20 minutes.
• While the orzo is cooking, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks, then whisk in the egg yolks until completely incorporated. Measure out 2 cups of the simmering broth, and combine it with the lemon juice. Slowly pour the lemon mixture into the eggs while whisking continuously until incorporated.
• When the orzo is nearly done, return the chicken meat to the soup, and cook until reheated. Stir in the egg mixture, stirring gently until incorporated into the soup. Serve immediately.

AVGOLEMONO: CHICKEN SOUP WITH EGG-LEMON SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a large pot and add enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to low, skimming when necessary.
• Heat the oil in a separate pan over medium heat and add the onions. Cook the onions until clear, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• When the chicken is cooked through, 45 minutes to 1 hour, remove from the broth. Let the chicken cool, and then pull the meat from the bones. Dice into large cubes and set aside.
• Add the bay leaves, carrot, leek and reserved onions to the broth and simmer, about 1 hour.
• Remove the carrot and leek from the broth and add the rice. Bring to a boil, and then turn the heat to medium-high to simmer until the rice is cooked to al dente, about 30 minutes. Add the chicken back into the broth. Add more water if needed.
• In a small bowl, beat the lemon juice and eggs together. Pour 2 cups of broth slowly into the bowl, whisking continuously. Once all the broth is incorporated, add the mixture into the pot of chicken soup and stir to blend well throughout. Add the salt and pepper. Serve hot.

YIA-YIA'S AVGOLEMONO

Steps:

• Bring the chicken broth to a boil.
• Add the orzo noodles to the broth and cook, covered, on a very low boil, until the noodles are al dente- it should take 8-12 minutes, roughly.
• While the orzo is cooking, separate the whites from yolks, and put the whites in a very large mixing bowl.
• Beat the whites until they're as fluffy as you can get them.
• Add almost all of the juice from the lemon (keep a little left over in a small bowl- people will use this later for adjusting the taste of their own soup).
• Beat the egg-lemon mixture again, get it very fluffy.
• Add the yolks, and beat.
• When the orzo noodles are done, remove the pot from the heat.
• Add one ladleful of broth (avoid the noodles) to the egg-lemon mixture, and beat until fluffy.
• Continue, one ladle at a time, until you can't get any broth out of the pot.
• Pour the contents of the bowl back into the pot, and cook it slightly below a boil for just a few minutes.
• DO NOT allow it to boil- the eggs will cook too much and you will get a grainy white residue in your soup.
• Serve immediately with thick bread and offer the extra lemon juice to anyone who would like their soup to be more citrusy.