2024 is officially in the books! For our Zoo, the year was eventful–MLK Day Snow-in; a summer trip to Caroline Lockhart’s Montana and Wyoming ranch; and Spring Break adventures to Jimmy Carter’s Boyhood Home and the CSS Hunley in Charleston. But the culminating event was Pop not feeling his perkiest for the last month of the year. The cause? A 99% blockage in his heart…aka a “widow maker.” (It’s a good thing he listened to Mom to go into the ER!) But within a matter of days, My Pop was home and raring to get back into his normal routine, minus some salt intake.
Needless to say, we’re beyond thankful Pop is still kicking. To start out this New Year, we’ll stick with our tried and true traditions. The usual fare of ham, collards and black-eyed peas is a given. Ham, or eating any piggy product, on New Year’s is a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. The rooting motion of a pig’s snout shows forward motion, with its meat bringing wealth and abundance. Eating greens like collards paired with black-eyed peas represents money in the Southern U.S. of A. This makes 2 lucky to-do’s done! But to be on the safe side, we’re adding a few extra precautions.
Polka Dots
#3: In the Philippines, wearing polka dots is considered good luck. Heck, having anything round in your pockets or on your person symbolizing coins and fortune is encouraged…this includes cookies!
Underwear Color
#4: South Americans’ underwear choice helps encourage New Year goals. Argentinians and Brazilians believe sporting bright red or pink underwear helps one find love. You can also wear tighty-whiteys for peace and yellow briefs for luck. Dixie took one for our team and wore red boxers to help out the youngest Minion.
Empty Suitcases
#5: Since traveling is our thing, we made sure to follow suit with the Columbians by dragging an empty suitcase around. The faster you walk at midnight ensures more travel destinations. (Do we get extra credit for the red suitcase?)
Grapes and Pomegranates
#6: In Spain eating 12 grapes at the strike of midnight ensures luck for each upcoming month. And in Turkey, smashing a pomegranate into pieces on your front door safeguards abundance. The more the pieces spread, the more abundance you may receive. Eating these fruits also helps keep the germs at bay thanks to the Vitamin C!
And last, but not least, #7: Today’s recipe is thanks to a Japanese tradition. The Japanese believe eating long noodles on New Years Eve, particularly buckwheat Soba noodles, symbolizes longevity. The buckwheat plant provides resiliency. I didn’t have any buckwheat noodles, but had long whole wheat ramen. 7 is a prime number and is a sign for spiritual growth. These foot-long noodles will definitely work!
Secret to a Tasty Chicken Noodle Soup
The secret to this copycat of. a famous chicken chain’s noodle soup is brining the chicken breast.
A couple hours before you want to make the soup, make a quick salt-sugar-water brine and soak the sliced chicken breasts in it.
Take the chicken out of the brine, rinse, dry, and grill outside or on a grill pan inside. Cut into bite-sized chunks and add to the soup.
This Chicken Noodle Soup is pretty basic…carrots, celery, spices, and noodles. But the combination of the brined, grilled chicken breast and two thickening methods makes this soup spectacular. A butter and flour roux cooked to a golden blonde color adds a rich depth of flavor. The cornstarch and water slurry added towards the end of the cook time gives a silky mouthfeel. If you don’t have soba or ramen noodles, feel free to use whatever your favorite noodle is. With 7 lucky protections done, here’s to a prosperous, productive and healthy 2025!
PrintChicken Noodle Soup
There’s a certain famous chicken noodle soup that’s good any time of the year, but it’s especially lucky when you use whole wheat noodles in it! Brining and grilling the chicken breasts before dicing and putting into the soup ensures juicy and flavorful meat. The combination of a flour-butter roux and cornstarch makes this soup extra succulent. Tender diced carrots and celery round out this quintessential comfort food.
- Prep Time: 30 Minutes + 2 Hour Brine Time
- Cook Time: 45-50 Minutes
- Total Time: About 3 Hours
- Yield: About 8–10 Servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Chicken Brine:
2 c. water
1 T. + 1 tsp. salt (kosher or sea)
1 T. granulated sugar
2 medium-sized chicken breasts, skin and bones removed
For the Noodle Soup:
Non-stick cooking spray
1 T. canola or vegetable oil
1–1/2 c. carrots, diced into 1/4 to 1/2” cubes
1 c. celery, roughly chopped
3 T. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
8 c. chicken broth or stock (I used “Better than Bouillon” brand’s Roasted Chicken flavor.)
1/2 c. water
2 T. cornstarch
1 tsp. dried parsley
1 tsp. salt (table, kosher or sea)*
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
6 oz. wheat-based pasta of your choosing (i.e. rotini, fusilli, etc.)**
Instructions
Prepare the chicken by combining water, salt and sugar in a gallon-sized zip-top bag set into a bowl. Cut chicken breasts into 1/2-inch thick strips. Brine chicken in the water mixture for about 2-3 hours in the refrigerator. Remove from brine, pat dry and lightly spray the chicken with non-stick cooking spray. Cook chicken on a preheated grill pan or grill until cooked through with browned marks, about 5-6 minutes per side. Cool and cut into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
Cook noodles according to the package, drain, and set aside.
In a Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-heat, heat 1 T. canola oil. Add carrots and celery. Stir often and cook until softened for about 5 minutes.
In a smaller saucepan over medium heat make the roux by melting butter. Whisk in flour to create a roux. Cook until mixture is lightly browned and thickened. Stir often. Remove from heat and add to carrots and celery.
Stir chicken broth or stock into carrot/roux mixture. In a smaller bowl, dissolve cornstarch in 1/2 c. water. Add to carrot mixture with parsley, salt, black pepper, onion and garlic powders. Bring soup to a simmer and add diced chicken and pasta. Cook for about 20-30 more minutes at a simmer until soup thickens. Serve or cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
Notes
*If you use chicken bouillon like I did, adjust the amount of salt to taste.
**I used fresh ramen noodles, but Soba noodles should be used to make this truly a New Year good luck dish.
IMNPB
Recommended To You
