Happy Soup:

My parents have a lake home in the middle of no where in Canada.  We have so many wonderful memories of our time spent there.  It’s one of those places where life stops and you just relax with good friends and family.  Just before we leave to head back to California, mom goes on a mad cooking spree using up all the leftover food and freezing until we get up there again in a few more months.  This soup came about on one of those sprees.  Mom named it “Happy Soup” because “It was so colorful it just made her happy!”

You can’t really mess up soup, and this one  has everything but the kitchen sink in it.  When Addie was first starting to eat veggies, this was the best way to get them in her.  And Hayden loves it too, I just blend it in the food processor for her.

Ingredients:

Chicken Stock, enough to fill your pot (Can or fresh is fine – you can dilute with a little water if you prefer)
Rotissiere Chicken, shredded (if I’m doing a big batch, 2-3 chickens, just for us only 1 – I like to grab these at Costco)
Red Peppers, chopped (1 or 2 – you can buy all of the peppers in 1 bulk bag at Costco)
Yellow Peppers, chopped (1 or 2)
Orange Peppers, chopped (1 or 2)
Yellow Cooking Onion, chopped (1 medium)
Celery, chopped (1 bunch)
Zuchini, chopped (3 or 4)
Yellow Squash, chopped (1 or 2)
Orzo Pasta (I use this size as it’s easiest on the Littles – but you can use any pasta you want – 1 lb)
**can also add any other random veggies leftover in your fridge.

Directions:

There is nothing special you need to do with this soup.  I usually make it in really big batches and give it to a few friends and neighbors with some fresh warm bread from Costco the same day I make it. And then freeze a couple containers too for us later.  If you are going to make in a big batch, it’s helpful to use a food processor to chop everything.  Doesn’t need to be perfect!

I pour all the stock in the pot, turn to medium hot and adjust as needed to keep it at more of a simmer.  Then I add the veggies as I chop them.  I let it simmer for a good portion of the day to really let the veggie flavors come out.  You can season with Salt & Pepper to taste, but it wont need a lot b/c all the veggies make it taste soo good.  Honestly, you could serve it 20 minutes after you start, or hours later.  It’s just an easy soup to help warm a day or beat a flu!

Great with Parkerhouse Rolls and  a salad.