This soup is simple to make and plain. There are some who claim that this soup is medicinal. There is something comforting about this soup and chances are it will become a favorite meal, especially on rainy days.

You will need: 1 sm. onion, quartered 1 sm. celery stalk with leaves, cut in 3 pieces 4 cloves garlic, put through a garlic press 1 tbsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 2 1/2 qts. water

Put 2 1/2 quarts of water in a 4 quart pot. Remove half the skin from the chicken and rinse the chicken well. Put the chicken in the pot of water. Add the onion, celery, garlic, salt and pepper to the water. Bring the soup to a boil, turn it down and simmer the soup for 2 hours. Remove the chicken from the pot to a platter. Pour the broth through a strainer so that it is clear. Have 1/2 pound of fine egg noodles prepared and portioned off into soup bowls. Separate and serve the chicken. Ladle the broth over the noodles and chicken in the soup bowls. Serve with pocket bread. A simple fruit salad makes a nice appetizer.

Variation: Replace the onion and celery with a dill sprig. Use only the chicken breast. The result is a lighter, milder soup.