"Chik'n" Noodle Soup (Vegetarian)

Alright, so we're vegetarian...what do we get to eat when we have a cold, huh? I vote this no-chik'n noodle soup...it is home-made and tastes so much better than anything coming from a store! Even if you are not vegetarian, this is just one heck of a good soup!

Vegetarian Tip: Quorn, an English company, makes a great line of faux-meat/protein products that are sold in the vegetarian frozen foods section of most grocery stores (look for the orange box). The "chicken" products are fantastic to work with because they have a good flavor on their own, but will also absorb the flavors they are cooked with to become juicy, tender and tasty morsels that can compliment any meal. Unfortunately, many of their products are not sold in American markets, but my favorite staples include the Quorn tenders, Quorn cutlets and the Quorn roast! Also, these are not suitable for a vegan diet as most, if not all, include egg whites.

"Chik'n" Noodle Soup

Ingredients:
3 tbsp olive oil
2 carrots peeled and diced
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 stalks of celery, diced
1 bay leaf
7.5 cups prepared bouillon water (use enough vegetarian bouillon cubes to match up, for example - if using the Rapunzel brand, you would use 3 cubes (1 cube to 2 cups of water), you can purchase boxed veggie broth...but, I don't recommend it)
salt & pepper to taste (salt content will largely depend on your bouillon cubes, about 2+ tsp pepper)
1 bag of Quorn Tenders (let them thaw somewhat)
3 tbsp fresh parsley, minced (dry isn't going to work for this one)
1/2 lb eggless flat noodles

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the carrots, onion and celery and cook until soft...10 to 15 minutes.
2. Add the bay leaf, bouillon broth, salt and pepper to the pot. Raise the heat and bring to a boil. Add the Quorn chunks, parsley and noodles and return the soup to a boil. Then reduce heat to a simmer and leave for 10 minutes or until the noodles are tender.
3. Remove the bay leaf and serve with crackers.

I bet you feel better already!