Saturday, January 5, 2013

Shabbat Shalom! Look and Learn - with Classic Chicken Soup Recipe

Look and Learn

Do you consider walking out the Christian life a journey? One of the most difficult aspects of life in my twenty-seven year walk with the Lord has been not only to remember who I am, but more, whose I am....... and that I am on a journey.
    The Bible gives us a multitude (literally) of examples at which to look and from whom to learn. In Genesis 11, God's two covenant people, Abram and Sarai became Abraham and Sarah through obedience to God as they journeyed. God, the Holy Spirit breathed on them and anointed them to serve Him in newness of Life. Abram became Abra -cham (the 'ch' indicating, in the Jewish language, the gutteral sound "cha" as in a breath, i.e. the Holy Spirit), and Sarai became Sar-ah, (also indicating breath.) They realize their true purpose and journey when God changes their names and.......their nature.
     In Isaiah 51, (a sweet, beautiful promise) God tells Israel, "Look to the Rock from which you were hewn." God chiseled Abraham and Sarah separately from The Rock (Yeshua, Jesus) and called them together for His purpose. They learned obedience and God's purpose for their lives on their journey. So must I. It's a process......... As a Christian ( 'follower of Christ' of whom Abraham is a 'type'/Sarah is a 'type' of The Church), I have the privilege of looking at and learning from them. God uses these 'types' for our edification.  Frankly, I believe it's really all about who I am "becoming" (Christ-like) and not about what I am "doing." - although we must put "feet" to our faith!
      According to the Jewish calendar, we're in the tenth month, the month of Shevat, between Hanukkah and Purim. January is the 10th month ( Passover/April being the first month.) The number 10 according to Jewish thought is a number of testing and proving. Or, could it be a combination of two 5's - 5 being the number of Grace. How about a double portion of Grace? Thank you, Lord! 
There are many, many more delicious nuggets God has planted for our edification, but right now it's all about ............soup!

Classic Chicken Soup
 
 
On a cold January afternoon, what could be better and more therapeutic than a steaming bowl of homemade chicken soup. From my Feasts of Israel Cookbook my recipe for chicken soup warms the heart and stirs the soul. Be sure this is all that's "stirred."  I suggest simmering the soup all day not stirring it even once. Stirring makes the soup cloudy. For the most beautifully golden, translucent, flavorful chicken soup you've ever savored, enjoy making and serving this classic.
 
1 ( 3 to 5 lb) whole chicken, or quarters
12 cups good quality water ( spring, or distilled)
3 large carrots
1 stalk celery, with leaves
1 to 2 parsnips
1 large onion, whole, peeled
1 Tablespoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
 
Clean chicken and remove excess fat. Fill an 8 quart stock pot with 12 cups water. Bring to a boil. Place chicken and vegetables in pot. Add salt and pepper. Turn the heat down (and here's the secret) so the water just barely "blip, blip, blips." Cover. Simmer all day. Enjoy the aroma wafting through your home! Remove whole chicken from the broth carefully with a slotted spoon. Set aside to cool. Remove vegetables with a slotted spoon to cool. Ladle beautiful, golden chicken soup into awaiting bowls. Add bits of chicken and vegetables, if you like, or simply enjoy the broth. Ahhhhh....... simply delicious!
 
 B'tayavon ( Hebrew for 'good appetite!')

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