Canja (creamy chicken and rice soup)
Canja, a creamy-lemony broth, was a staple served by Maria Lawton’s mother during special Sunday dinners and holidays. Additionally, it was used as a tonic to boost the family’s health whenever anyone fell ill. This delightful soup is more than just your average chicken soup and could make a fantastic addition to your household menu.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 small organic chicken or 2 pounds bone-in chicken parts
- 1 onion
- 1 large garlic clove
- Seasalt, to taste
- 1 cup medium-grain rice
- 1 lemon
- 2 egg yolks
Instructions
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Place the chicken in a large stockpot. Cover generously with water, and add the whole onion, whole clove of garlic, and a teaspoon of salt.
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Bring to a simmer over medium heat, and then turn down to low and cook gently, lid ajar, for 60 – 90 minutes. When the chicken is cooked through and tender, but not yet falling apart, use a slotted spoon to remove it and the onion and garlic to a colander over a large bowl. Taste the broth for salt and adjust as needed.
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Rinse the rice and add it to the broth. Continue to simmer, stirring it periodically.
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As soon as the chicken is cool enough to handle, chop or shred the meat into small pieces, and stir it into the simmering broth. Discard the onion and garlic.
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When the rice is fully tender and you are ready to serve, finish the soup. Squeeze the juice from half the lemon into a medium bowl. Beat in the egg yolks, then beat in about a cup of the hot broth. Stir the tempered mixture into the hot soup; keep stirring for a minute or two, or until heated through and slightly thickened, but do not boil.
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Taste again for salt and serve immediately, along with the remaining lemon half, in wedges, on the side.
