Ultimate Chicken Soup

For one person, maybe 2.

Ok, the first secret is to use Marzano tomatoes. They are an Italian import and are, hands down, for whatever magic Italian reason, the best canned tomatoes out there. Yes, they are a little spendy, but well worth it. The second secret is to cook them down. You should do this with all canned tomatoes, simmer them for 20 minutes or so, it takes the canned taste away, but especially in this case. Just put them in a little saucepan or skillet for at least 20 min, a half hour is preferable and let them simmer gently.

1 can of chicken stock. Or if you are a superstar and have homemade on hand you can use that.

A big handful of spinach.

A little carton of whipping cream. This is Ultimate Chicken Soup! Don't skimp!

Toasted almonds, preferably slivers.

Some shredded chicken. This is a good thing to do with left over chicken!

After the tomatoes have ceased to taste like can, add the chicken broth and a few tablespoons of cream. Let simmer away for a bit longer, say, 10 minutes.

Add chicken and spinach and simmer until the spinach has wilted.

Make some buttered toast on nice dense bread.

Pour soup into bowl and top with toasted almonds.

Pour a nice glass of white wine and ahhhhhh....

This can be made vegetarian, with the obvious substitutes. You can add cooked rice, or other grain to it. You can pour it over a cooked grain and add a poached egg!

And you can make it without cream. But it will not have the lushness that lets your weary soul know that you are taking care of it.

And what to do with the whipped cream?

hah! Whip it. Whip it real good!

xo