Soup's On! - High Energy Chicken Soup.

1 chicken, rinsed
1 large onion, thinly sliced
3 stalks celery, sliced
3 carrots, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 sprigs fresh parsley
2 dried bay leaves
2 tsp thyme leaves
1 tsp coriander seed
1/2 tsp black peppercorns
1/2 tsp whole allspice
1 tsp cumin seed
2-3 dried small hot red chilies
2 sprigs fresh mint
1 can (15oz) garbanzo beans
1 lb. zucchini, cubed
3 large Roma tomatoes, diced
Salt

Place chicken in a 6-8 quart pan. Add onion, celery, carrots, garlic, and parsley. In a cheese cloth bag put bay leaves, coriander seed, black peppercorns, allspice, cumin, chilies. (Personally, I never use a cheese cloth bag, but make sure no one eats the whole allspice, or bay leaves) Add two quarts of water. (I fill pot until the chicken is well covered) Cover, and bring to boiling over high heat; reduce heat and simmer gently until chicken is no longer pink at bone in thigh, about 1 hour. Remove pan from heat; lift out chicken and set on a plate.

Discard parsley. If making ahead, let broth cool uncovered, then cover and chill until cold or up to 1 day. Skim or lift chilled fat from broth and discard. (I never do this step)

When chicken is cool, pull meat from bones. Discard bones and any skin. (I always do this step). Tear meat into bite-sized pieces. Cover Soup and bring to a boil on high heat. Add mint, garbanzos, zucchini, and tomatoes. Simmer, covered, until zucchini is tender when pierced, about 10 minutes. Discard Mint sprigs. Add chicken into soup and heat through, 2 or 3 min. Don't forget to add the salt! To taste 1 tbl. more if needed.
Makes: 16 cups, 7 or 8 servings.

This is soooo goood on a cold rainy (or snowy) day. I love all the herbs and spices floating around in my soup! but remember, the whole all-spice and bay leave should not be eaten. (I am a little heavy handed when it comes to seasonings, I usually add more than this recipe calls for.)

I hope you will try this, you will love it! Dennis and I had this soup for about 3 meals. We put it over rice on the third night, it was delish!