Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

We've been eating a lot of soup around here lately. I can throw a pot of soup together throughout the day in between Henry's feedings, (and let me tell you they are very frequent!). I can leave it simmering on the stove and always have a big pot of leftovers to serve for lunch the next day. That's another really nice thing about my little maternity leave break-I get to spend my lunch hour with Rich. Just having that extra time in the day together is really great!

I am a big soup lover, and this one is really delicious and comforting. Thick, creamy, and fills you up for that long winter's nap. Oh, and it's super easy. That's the best part!

Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
*adapted from allrecipes.com

4 c. chicken stock
2-3 c. water (use 3 if you like a thinner broth)
1 whole chicken, already baked (or buy a rotisserie)
1/2 c. finely chopped carrot
1/2 c. finely chopped onion
3/4 c. flour
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1/2 c. butter and 2 t. butter
1 minced garlic clove
2 c. heavy cream or whole milk
1 box of Uncle Ben's long grain and wild rice **FAST COOK RECIPE** Shown below:



In a small pan, melt 2 t. butter. Add the chopped carrots and onion to the butter and saute until they are soft. Remove from heat and set aside. Remove chicken from bone and add to the chicken broth and water in a large stockpot or pan. Bring to a gentle boil. Add the rice to the boiling water (but save the season packet for later), along with the sauteed carrots and onion. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a medium saucepan, melt the 1/2 c. butter. Add to it the reserved season packet from the rice. Add in the minced garlic, salt and pepper. Slowly stir in the flour until a thick roux is formed. To this, slowly whisk in the heavy cream/or milk. Heat over medium heat for a few minutes until thick and creamy. Slowly whisk the flour roux into the soup and mix well. Heat over medium-low to low heat for another 30 minutes, stirring often.

Sometimes I add another cup of wild or long grain (already cooked) to the soup to make it even thicker.

More pictures of our little Henry to come soon!

Introducing...

Henry Colin Belanger! He arrived Thursday, December 17th at 5:17 p.m. I was induced a day earlier than planned and the labor was truly a wonderful experience. Thanks to an epidural and a super doctor.

I can't even describe how I feel about this baby. He is absolutely the most precious little boy. Every time I look at him or think about him I'm filled with such a sense of happiness that I just want to cry buckets.

We are still in the hospital and I can't sleep even though I'm thoroughly exhausted. I'm on a natural high and I just want to look at him and touch him. He's finally here and he's ours!

To see Sam meet him for the first time was one of the most special moments. Rich is so comfortable and natural with him. We are all so blessed with this Christmas gift!

I suppose I should go join Henry in his nap...but I just had to share him with all of you before I do. Thank you for the prayers and well wishes!

When We Meet Again

When we meet again, my friends, we may finally have another member in our family. If all goes as planned, I will be induced this Friday, the 18th. This is because my labor with Sam was only 3 hours long and we are 45 minutes from the hospital and our weather stinks! I'm dialated a bit already.

I have been so busy sanitizing, packing, cleaning and groaning while my lumbering body works it's way through the house. My stomach enters the room well before I do. I have this insane need for this house to be spotless before I give birth. Like the baby will care if there's a tuft of dog hair in the corner or an unemptied garbage! Still, I want it to be perfect for him.

Be on the lookout this weekend for pictures. Man oh man, I can't wait. When we meet again I will no longer see this when I look down for my feet:



And when we meet again, this crib will no longer be empty:


When we meet again my heart will be so full it just might burst. Please pray that all goes well!