Roast Chicken Redux

Be thrifty the next time you roast a chicken or buy a roasted one at the grocery store. How? In the past I’ve given lots of recipes for leftover chicken, but here is a recipe that uses the carcass itself for a nourishing, Jewish-style chicken noodle soup.

Keep yourself busy around the house while the stock is simmering--this isn’t a pot that needs to be watched. Enjoy the homey aromas and the comforting pleasures of a simple homemade soup.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Active Work Time: 25 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 1 1/2 hours

1 cooked chicken carcass, chopped into large pieces

1 bay leaf

5 whole black peppercorns

3 sprigs fresh parsley

1 small onion, unpeeled, halved

Salt

1/4 pound fine egg noodles

2 large carrots, thinly sliced

3 large ribs celery, thinly sliced

1/4 cup minced parsley

Freshly ground pepper

Place the chopped chicken carcass in a 4-quart saucepan. Add 6 cups of cold water, the bay leaf, peppercorns, parsley and onion. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat so the liquid just simmers. Partially cover the pot and cook the stock for 1 hour.

While the stock is simmering, bring a 2 1/2-quart saucepan of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles until al dente, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain, then rinse under cold water. Drain again, and set aside.

Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl. Pour the stock through the strainer. Discard the solids. Pour the stock back into the saucepan. Use a spoon to skim off any fat. Add the carrots and celery to the stock and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Add the parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cooked noodles and heat through. Serve immediately, or refrigerate or freeze for later use.

4 servings. Each serving: 125 calories; 1,293 mg sodium; 9 mg cholesterol; 3 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 15 grams carbohydrates; 10 grams protein; 2.81 grams fiber.

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Morgan is author of “The Thanksgiving Table: Recipes and Ideas to Create Your Own Holiday Tradition,” (Chronicle Books, $18.95).