Chicken Wild Rice Soup
There are a lot of steps to this soup - this is from my friend, and this is how she makes it...
Ingredients:
1 cup wild rice
4+ cups chicken broth for rice + more for soup
1/2 tsp. salt
2-3 chicken breasts (cooked, chopped, and added later)
1 onion (chopped)
3-4 celery stalks up to a whole bunch (chopped)
10+ large carrots (cut into pieces)
3-4 bullion cubes
3/4 cups butter
3/4 cups flour
6-8 cups chicken broth
2-3 cups half & half or heavy cream
Directions:
In a large pot with a lid, bring the following ingredients just to a boil, then cover and remove from heat.
1 cup wild rice
4 cups chicken broth (you can use 2 c. broth & 2 c. water)
1/2 tsp. salt
Let it rest for about 1 hour.
Repeat this process 2 more times (total of 3 boils) adding more liquid as needed before boiling.
While you are doing this, boil
2-3 chicken breasts. When completed, chop and set aside.
After your rice is soft & split open, add the following and cook until vegetables are hot:
onion
celery
carrots
chicken breasts
bullion cubes
In a medium pan make a rue:
3/4 cups butter - melt
when melted, remove from heat and add
3/4 cups flour
slowly add more broth, stirring with a whisk so there are no lumps
6-8 cups of chicken broth
bring to a boil to thicken.
Pour into the large pot and keep warm until you are ready to serve.
About 10 minutes before you are ready to serve, add 2-3 cups of half & half - heat until hot (do not boil).
salt & pepper to taste.