Soup Monday

The elementary teachers, plus a few other staff members at school have developed a cooking club/exchange.  It's called "Soup Monday."  We each take a turn making soup for everyone in the group.  Not too long ago, (before break) it was my turn to make soup.  I wanted it to be "Minnesotan" so what better soup to bring then Boundary Waters Chicken Wild Rice Soup from the Marshell-Field's Cookbook.    

First, get all the ingredients!

Wild Rice- Yes, it can be bought here.  

  

Chicken- used it for making stock and for meat.  This is a special "soup" pack with the "extra" pieces of chicken that are not that desirable to eat but make good stock.  It includes backs, necks, hearts, wings, and feet.  Yes, I just said chicken feet!!!  I bought chicken feet.  

 I wasn't sure whether to be grossed out or excited to be using such a unique ingredient.

Chicken feet

Don't worry there is no meat on the feet.  They are just for flavor.  

I really appreciate how nothing is wasted here.  They use every part possible to make something.  I feel it is being a good steward of what the Lord has provided for us.  Why should we waste perfectly good chicken feet that help make stock tasty just because it might actually remind us it's an animal we are eating.  At the store you can purchase chicken feet, hearts, and other organ meat in packages or by the kilo.  It makes for interesting shopping experiences.  

Well the soup turned out great.  I enjoyed sharing my MN roots with my Budapest friends.  I even had leftovers for a few extra meals during the week!  

I love Soup Mondays.   Oh, wait tomorrow is Monday.  I don't have to make lunch.  It's a great incentive to get out of bed on these dreary, cold, dark winter mornings knowing that there will be yummy soup for lunch.