Chicken Macaroni Soup

So how's 2014 treating y'all so far? For my family and I, the new year started really good...and I'm hoping it's the same with you and your loved ones! We welcome 2014 with so much joy in our hearts...and of course, lots of food! There's abundance, togetherness and love in our home, and there's nothing else we could ask for! The first week of the new year was spent bonding with my brother who was here with us for the holidays. The cold weather brought cough and colds to the hubs, the girls and my brother but thank God, it's nothing serious...they're all well now! The bro has left and it's just me, the hubs, the girls and our dog (Russ) again! I may say everything here is pretty much back to normal, except for the temperature which remains too low for Texas!

For the past week, I've been making soup to give us comfort and warmth. This recipe that I'm sharing with you today is one of our favorites. It's one of those we consider ultimate Filipino comfort food. It's an all-in-one meal in a bowl that has everything in it --- meat, veggies, milk and pasta! I've featured Macaroni Sopas here on the blog before but that one has ground pork. This time, it's Chicken Macaroni Sopas! 

This is a very easy to make comfort food that's definitely delicious and nutritious! Ground beef, as well as leftover ham or turkey will work well as a meat replacement. You should try it!



Ingredients:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 1 lb boneless chicken breast, cubed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small yellow onion, minced
• 2 pcs. Knorr chicken cube
• 1 medium sized carrot, chopped
• ½ bell pepper, chopped (Red is preferred but green will work. You can also use both)
• 3 Tbsp fish sauce
• 8 cups water
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 cup evaporated milk (or full-cream milk)
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large sauce pan, over medium low heat, saute garlic in butter until light brown. Add onion and sauté until translucent. Add chicken cube and saute until melted. Add cubed chicken breast. Season with 1 Tbsp. fish sauce & a pinch of black pepper. Cover sauce pan and simmer for about 5 mins.

2. Pour in water and bring to a boil. Add macaroni. Cook for 12 minutes, stirring frequently until the macaroni is almost done.

3. Add carrot & red bell pepper. Cook until vegetables are half done. Add the remaining fish sauce and stir in milk. Add salt and pepper to suit your taste. Remove from heat. Transfer to individual serving bowls.