Hamud (Chicken Soup with Lemon)
Hamud (Chicken Soup with Lemon) Recipe - Traditional Arabian Dish
Introduction
Hamud, also known as Chicken Soup with Lemon, is a comforting and flavorful dish that is perfect for warming up on a cold day or when you are feeling under the weather. This soup is a popular dish in Middle Eastern cuisine and is loved for its tangy and savory flavors.
History
Chicken Soup with Lemon has been a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries. It is believed to have originated in Lebanon and Syria, where it was traditionally made with fresh chicken, vegetables, and plenty of lemon juice. The soup was often served to guests as a welcoming and nourishing dish.
Ingredients
How to prepare
- 1) Gather a fresh chicken carcass, giblets, and bones to create a flavorful stock. Ensure that the giblets are very fresh, and the bones and carcass are from a chicken prepared on the same day. Otherwise, any meat on them will be tough and dry, and the marrow in the bones will be stale. Gently crack the bones to enhance the release of flavor.
- 2) Place the carcass, bones, and giblets in a large pan. Add celery and, if desired, sliced leeks. Add slivered garlic and cover with approximately 9 cups of water. Bring to a boil and skim off any scum that rises to the surface. Season with salt and pepper, and squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into the pan. Simmer gently for about 1 hour. Remove the pan from heat and discard all the bones, leaving only pieces of chicken in the broth.
- 3) If using zucchini, add them to the pan and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
- 4) Adjust the seasoning, adding more lemon juice if needed. The soup should have a distinct lemony tang, which, combined with the taste of garlic, gives it an Oriental flavor.
- 5) Just before serving, add cooked rice to the soup to prevent it from becoming soggy and mushy.
Variations
- Add diced carrots or potatoes for extra vegetables.
- Use quinoa or couscous instead of rice for a different texture.
- Add a pinch of cumin or coriander for a Middle Eastern twist.
Cooking Tips & Tricks
Use fresh chicken carcass, giblets, and bones to create a flavorful stock.
- Gently crack the bones to enhance the release of flavor.
- Skim off any scum that rises to the surface while boiling the stock.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste, adding more lemon juice for a tangier flavor.
- Add cooked rice just before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy and mushy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Chicken Soup with Lemon hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a slice of lemon. It pairs well with crusty bread or a side salad.
Cooking Techniques
Gently crack the bones to release more flavor into the broth.
- Skim off any scum that rises to the surface while boiling the stock.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste, adding more lemon juice for a tangier flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions
Use chicken broth or stock instead of making your own.
- Substitute chicken breast or thighs for the carcass and giblets.
- Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version of the soup.
Make Ahead Tips
You can make the stock ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just reheat the stock, add the zucchini and rice, and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Presentation Ideas
Serve Chicken Soup with Lemon in a bowl, garnished with fresh parsley and a slice of lemon. You can also serve it in a bread bowl for a fun presentation.
Pairing Recommendations
Pair Chicken Soup with Lemon with a side of hummus and pita bread for a complete Middle Eastern meal. It also pairs well with a crisp green salad.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the soup on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Nutrition Information
Calories per serving
Each serving of Chicken Soup with Lemon contains approximately 250 calories.
Carbohydrates
The main source of carbohydrates in this recipe comes from the boiled rice, which provides approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Fats
The fats in this recipe come from the chicken carcass and giblets, as well as any fat that may be present in the broth. Each serving contains approximately 10 grams of fat.
Proteins
The protein in this dish comes from the chicken carcass, giblets, and bones. Each serving provides around 20 grams of protein.
Vitamins and minerals
Chicken Soup with Lemon is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C from the lemon juice, as well as iron, calcium, and potassium from the chicken and vegetables.
Alergens
This recipe contains chicken and may not be suitable for those with poultry allergies.
Summary
Overall, Chicken Soup with Lemon is a nutritious and flavorful dish that provides a good balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
Summary
Chicken Soup with Lemon, or Hamud, is a comforting and flavorful dish that is perfect for warming up on a cold day or when you are feeling under the weather. This Middle Eastern classic is easy to make and packed with nutritious ingredients. Enjoy a bowl of this tangy and savory soup for a satisfying and nourishing meal.
How did I get this recipe?
I can't forget the moment I stumbled upon this recipe for Hamud, a delicious chicken soup with lemon that has been a favorite in my family for generations. It all started many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in a small village in Lebanon.
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a hot summer day, and my mother had been busy preparing lunch for our family. As I sat in the kitchen watching her cook, I noticed that she had a new recipe book open on the counter. Curious, I asked her what she was making, and she told me about this traditional Lebanese soup that her own mother used to make.
Intrigued, I watched as my mother carefully chopped vegetables, simmered chicken, and added a generous amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the pot. The aroma that filled the kitchen was intoxicating, and I couldn't wait to taste the finished product.
As we sat down to eat, I took my first spoonful of the soup and was instantly transported to a place of comfort and warmth. The tangy lemon flavor combined with the rich chicken broth was unlike anything I had ever tasted before. I knew right then and there that this recipe would become a staple in my own kitchen.
Over the years, I have perfected the art of making Hamud, adding my own little twists and tweaks to make it truly my own. I have shared the recipe with friends and family, who have all fallen in love with the comforting flavors of this dish.
But the story doesn't end there. As I grew older and traveled to different countries, I discovered that variations of this soup could be found in many different cultures. In Greece, they call it Avgolemono. In Turkey, it is known as Terbiyeli Tavuk Corbasi. Each version had its own unique spin on the classic recipe, but they all shared the same comforting and nourishing qualities.
I have collected recipes for Hamud from various places and people over the years, adding them to my ever-growing collection of culinary treasures. Each recipe tells a story of tradition and heritage, of love and family, of comfort and warmth.
And so, as I sit here now, in my own kitchen, preparing a pot of Hamud for my own family, I can't help but feel grateful for all the memories and experiences that have brought me to this moment. The simple act of cooking a meal has the power to connect us to our past, to our loved ones, and to the world around us.
As I stir the pot and inhale the fragrant steam rising from the soup, I am reminded of all the women who came before me, who passed down their recipes and their stories with love and care. I am grateful for the gift of cooking, for the joy of sharing a meal with those we hold dear, and for the timeless tradition of food as a source of nourishment for both body and soul.
And so, as I ladle out steaming bowls of Hamud for my family, I know that I am not just serving them a meal. I am serving them a piece of history, a taste of tradition, and a reminder of the power of food to bring us together in love and gratitude. And for that, I am truly thankful.
Categories
| Arabian Recipes | Arabian Soups | Chicken Recipes | Leek Recipes | Rice Recipes | Zucchini Recipes |