Chicken Soup For The Bowl

By Tracy Schruder

I’m a huge fan of chicken soup, but only if it’s homemade. Store-bought just can’t compare to the rich flavors and nutrients that come from a lovingly prepared pot of homemade goodness. My mom made the best homemade chicken soup I’ve ever tasted. I have tried, on several occasions, to emulate the flavour but a main ingredient is always missing. That ingredient is her. I believe we miss that most, when people pass away. No one can ever cook the same as mom did because they are not her. She, herself, was her own secret ingredient.

A Hearty and Nourishing Tradition
Mom’s soup was a staple in our household, always chock-full of fresh vegetables and leftover chicken boiled off the bone. Always boiled off the bone because that broth was essential to the soup. It was a meal in itself, and on cold winter days, it was the perfect comfort food to warm us up on our lunchtime trip home from school. As my grandfather used to say, it “warmed up your inners” like nothing else could.

More Than Just a Meal
But mom’s soup was more than just a meal; it had a way of opening hearts and drying away tears. On tough days, her soup came with hugs and gentle, tear-wiping gestures from her apron. It was a reminder that sometimes, all we need is a little comfort and love to get us through. She would serve it not only to us kids but her dad and brother would drop in for a bowl every once in a while. They would come over on their lunch break the odd day. She enjoyed it when this happened because she always got to catch up with them. Oh, and certainly, over a piping hot bowl of her soup, they would confide in her and receive her loving comfort and advice, as well.

Love and Comfort
As I grew older, I began to appreciate the love and care that went into every pot of mom’s homemade chicken soup. Each time I make a batch, I’m reminded of her and the comfort she brought to our family. I used to joke that Jack had the “soup for the soul,” but mom had the “better soup for the bowl.” Little did I know, Jack might have been right – chicken soup is indeed for the soul…

A Tribute to Mom’s Love
I started writing this blog post with the intention of sharing my many chicken soup recipes, but it morphed into something more. As I reflected on mom’s homemade chicken soup, I couldn’t help but share my feelings and the memories that came flooding back. It’s a testament to the power of food to evoke emotions, create connections, and transcend time. Mom’s homemade chicken soup, a gift of your love and comfort. As my soup brews in the pot, I breathe in the pleasant aroma and enjoy warm memories of my mom’s chicken soup for the bowl.

Thank you for reading 😊🙏