Ripe Deli is an institution in Auckland, and their Soul Soothing Chicken Soup is one of the best I’ve ever made. Best of all, it’s super simple – just throw all the ingredients into the pot, pour over the liquid and cook. Minimal effort, maximum flavour! Perfect for the chilliest of winter days and nights.

Ripe Deli’s Soul Soothing Chicken Soup

Soup Ingredients

3 celery stalks finely chopped
1 onion peeled and finely diced
4 cloves of garlic peeled and finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves finely chopped
2 carrots peeled and grated
2 bay leaves
8 cups water
3 cups chicken stock
½ cup pearly barley or quinoa
1 small whole chicken left whole or cut down the middle

Garnish

1 cup kale or silverbeet finely sliced
½ cup fresh curly parsley finely chopped
Juice of ½ a lemon
Salt and pepper

Method

In a large saucepan or stockpot over a medium heat place all the ingredients. Cover with a lid and bring to the boil.
Reduce the heat to low, simmer for approximately 1 hour or until the chicken is cooked and starting to fall of the bone.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully take the chicken out of the soup.
Allow the chicken to cool and then strip the meat from the carcass.
Add the chicken meat, kale, parsley and lemon juice to the soup.
Bring the soup back to the boil and then remove from the heat.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.