Greek Egg-Lemon Soup

4-5 lb. Stewing hen (I use boneless/skinless thighs a LOT)

1 sm carrot, chopped

1 Med. Onion, diced

2-3 celery stalks (chopped with leaves)

salt & pepper to taste

¾ c rice

4 eggs, separated

6 TBS fresh lemon juice

1 TBS olive oil

1-2 TBS chicken bullion (if needed – to taste)

Saute chicken in olive oil – just to sear.  Add veggies, bullion & cover with water (approx 1-2 qt)  Simmer 2-4 hours, add salt & pepper to taste (you’ll check again before serving)  You’ll need to end with about 8 cups broth. Gradually add rice and cook til tender (12-15 minutes, depending on your rice).  Remove from heat.

In a separate bowl, beat egg whites til stiff, add yolks & beat well (2+mins).  Gradually add lemon juice, mix well.  Temper egg mixture by adding a ladleful at a time of chicken broth into the egg mix.  Once brought up to temp, add warmed egg mix to soup.  Raise the temperature of the soup slowly – don’t boil.  Remove from heat & allow to sit for 5 minutes.

Goes great with salad & crusty bread.  

Yassa Poulet

4 skinned chicken thighs

4 large onions, diced

4-5cloves garlic, minced

approx ½-1 tsp salt (to taste)

1-1/2 to 2 TBS FRESH ground pepper

½-1 tsp red pepper flakes (to taste)

2 cubes Jumbo

3 TBS white vinegar

1 TBS vegetable oil

Juice of ½ lemon

Oil for frying

Mix ingredients (except oil for frying)  in large bowl & allow to marinate at least ½ hour.

In heavy pot, heat oil for frying until VERY hot.  I generally use just a few TBS…enough to lightly laver the bottom but not to leave the dish greasy.  Once oil is hot (nearly smoking, add chicken , turning occasionally.

Once the chicken is done, add the rest of the onion mixture.  I generally rinse out the bowl with ½ c. or so of water & add that in as well.  Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally.  Once onions are well cooked (takes 30-45 mins., I taste for salt & adjust, if necessary.  

Add 1 TBS of Dijon mustard and a dozen or so green olives then allow to simmer an additional 10 minutes or so.

Serve over white rice.

Serves 4