I came up with this soup, “on the fly” because I had purchased some rapini (broccoli rabe) at Sprouts. I think it was under $3 for a good sized bunch of buds, leaves & stems which I recognized as a good deal! The main grocer (I take him to be so.) at Sprouts, keeps a well stocked vegetable & fruit section. Often there are very good prices, but you would think that Sprouts might be “high end” and they are on some things.
The first time I made this, I used a odd sized can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup and the finished product had such a distinctive flavor (due to the rapini, which I had steamed first separately) that I wanted to make it again. The second time, I realized that I would have to supply the canned soup ingredients. I used chicken stock, chunked chicken breast, margarine, and pasta shells. I cooked this all in one pot, and did not pre-steam (cook) the rapini. Not sure on how to get the pasta shells to be done, without overcooking the rapini. The rapini did not bleach out though.
- Chicken Breast (chunks – canned)
- Rapini (Broccoli Rabe)
- Onion
- Pasta Shells (Medium)
- Mushroom Pieces
- Hot Pepper Flakes
- Marjoram
- Garlic Powder
- Chicken Stock
- Olive oil
- Margarine (butter)
- Salt & Pepper
One pot process:
I chopped the onion and put it in the pot first, with some margarine and olive oil and began to brown the onion slightly. I then added the dry pasta shells which became shiney with the oil & melted margarine coating. I poured in some chicken stock to cover the dry pasta, and later added some water. I let the pasta cook for a while to get it near being done, but then added the rapini, mushrooms and chunk chicken. The red pepper flakes, marjoram, salt & pepper are added throughout. I only added three garlic cloves slightly crushed, and some garlic powder.
NOTE [ 09/16/23 ]: I had some mild peppers (bought at State Farmer’s Market – Raleigh) left and a few chicken strips. I also had just bought (yesterday at Pate’s) some good looking okra. This soup has chicken, lentils, carrots, peppers, okra, onions and a few small tomatoes cut up. Although I read online that you shouldn’t (or its not done) include okra and Gumbo File powder to your soups. Supposed to choose one or the other. I think Gumbo File powder is supposed to be used as a thickener. *This is made from Sassafras. I remember a long time ago that my mom and I were walking on the old farm, way in the back along a sandy road. I think there was a Sassafras plant growing in the middle of this path. We managed to cut out a little of the Sassafras root and took it back home and made hot tea out of it. With sugar, and some creamer, the Sassafras tea was good.
***As I recall, I didn’t like the flavor of the Chicken Rappini soup. It looked good, but I wouldn’t make it again. But, the latest soup above had good flavor, with just minor heat. The okra added to it’s earthy flavor.
Bill Gibson, II 