'SNOWMAN'S ANNIVERSARY' ... CHICKEN SOUP with RICE

In February

it will be

my snowman's

anniversary

with cake for him

and soup for me!

Happy once

happy twice

happy chicken soup

with rice.

~ Maurice Sendak

(CHICKEN SOUP WITH RICE)

~ My Snowman

_____________

CHICKEN SOUP WITH RICE
(serves 4 so double for hearty eaters)

2 cups uncooked brown rice or Lundberg Country Wild

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 large chopped onion

3 minced garlic cloves

8 oz. fresh stemmed shitake or baby bella mushrooms

8 cups organic chicken stock

1 Tbsp. fresh chopped rosemary (1 tsp. dried)

1 (15-oz.) can drained and rinsed chickpeas or cannellini beans

1 (15-ounce) bag baby spinach leaves

2-3 cups shredded cooked chicken

coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup freshly ground Parmesan cheese

• Cook rice in 4 cups of chicken broth or water about 30 minutes. Set aside.
• In heavy stockpot, saute onion in olive oil until tender. Add garlic and mushrooms and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add remaining broth and rosemary. Bring to boil and remove from heat.
• Add cooked rice (all or reserve some), chickpeas, cooked chicken and spinach. Carefully return to boil. Watch for spinach to wilt and add season with coarse salt and cracked pepper.
• Ladle into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. (Reheat gently as needed to keep spinach green)