Hønsekødssuppe(Danish Chicken Soup)
Updated: Apr 19, 2021
Danish chicken soup is usually prepared with a flavorful, clear chicken broth, vegetables such as carrots and leeks, small-sized pork or beef meatballs, and dumplings. It is usually seasoned with various fresh herbs such as thyme and parsley, and the chicken meat is mainly shredded and used in another Danish classic, the creamy høns i asparges mini-tarts.
Clear soup with meatballs and dumplings, is not without reason has become a classic of Danish cuisine. However, it is often a big difference in quality. The first time I tried Clear soup was 4 yeas ago in Calgary it was suggested by our president Svend Nielsen, he had taken myself and my husband there to introduce me to Danish cuisine, I will forever be grateful for his suggestion! It was an instant favourite. The flavourful soup broth with simple vegetables and delicate dumplings, and instead of chunks of chicken that I expected I was pleasantly surprised with flavourful tender meatballs, toped with the fresh punch of fresh parsley and green onions.
A Brief History of Chicken Soup, the ‘Jewish Penicillin’
Chicken soup – you love it or you don’t. Either way, it is undeniable that the dish has made its way into the hearts of people across the world, becoming a staple ‘rainy day’/’sick day’ comfort meal and an act of hostility to any kid who hates carrots (memories, shudder). Chicken soup’s broth is usually filled with nutrients from chicken bones, and the Canadian classic version often has carrots, celery, and various other root vegetables; the recipe is also accredited with healing properties.
Chicken soup has been with us for a long, long time, and there its fame has made its history so easy to find. People have obsessed over chicken soup since the domestication of fowl around 7,000 to 10,000 years ago in Southeast Asia. The Ancient Greeks also had their own version of chicken broth, and believed the soup to have those healing properties. Today, the dish is a staple meal in cuisines from all around the world.
But while chicken soup on its own has stood the test of culinary time, with chicken soup often comes noodles, and that union came about much more recently. The exact date of adding noodles, or dumplings is unknown what is known is that this genius union was the greatest add to a already beloved favourite food.
Inside the Science Behind Your Favorite Cure for the Cold
It’s not unusual to want to wrap your hands around a hot cup of chicken noodle soup when you’re clogged up and bogged down with a cold. You may even swear that you’re feeling better after that first sip. While there’s no research yet on whether it’s the memory of your mom’s home remedies that makes you feel better, studies do support the cold-fighting effects of chicken noodle soup.
A classic bowl of chicken noodle soup includes chicken broth, vegetables (usually celery, carrots, onion that are full of vitamin A, C and other antioxidants), chicken (packed with protein) and noodles (comfort food carbs). The vitamins, minerals and antioxidants spread across the bits that give chicken noodle soup it’s bulk are all known to support a strong immune system - and protein can pack a punch as well. But at the end of the day, the real relief comes from the broth itself.
It’s All About the Broth
Chicken broth is a great source of vitamins, minerals and provides a healthy amount of fat, too. Furthermore, its properties directly help address the symptoms of the common cold, such as coughing and congestion.
White blood cells called neutrophils go straight to your throat when you have a cold and create inflammation, which is responsible for your coughing and sore throat. Chicken noodle soup has been associated with preventing this movement and can serve as an anti-inflammatory for this reason.
Chicken noodle soup also relieves congestion. First, the steam from hot soup and the salt in the broth thins mucus. Then, the heat of the broth dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow, which in turn speeds up the movement of mucus. That improves airflow and reduces congestion.
Hydration is one of the most important components of treating a cold. As a liquid, chicken broth naturally hydrates the body, but broth also includes salt and electrolytes that help with retention.
Finally, research also suggests chicken noodle soup can prevent additional contagions from entering your body by improving the function of cilia, tiny hairline projections in your nose.
So next time you’re feeling under the weather and your gut instinct tells you to fix a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup, there’s no need to hesitate.
Everyone has a chicken soup recipe and variety as a staple in all cultures and truly a lot claim theirs to be the best or original, I believe ours at the Danish Canadian to be one of the best I have had.
Now this delicious soup just would not be complete without the Meat balls!
Danish soup dumplings, aka melboller, are a must have in soups in Denmark. They feel soft, light, and fluffy. They kinda melts in your mouth and has a subtle salty flavor.
Most people in Denmark buys soup dumplings from the freezer aisle in the supermarket. But we always make them ourselves at the museum. So for me the store bought dumplings tasted kinda funny. I learned to make these four years ago. The best and easiest way to shape these dumplings is to, cut the dough from the dough press (bollesprøjte) and the small dumplings would fall into the hot water.
If you enjoyed this article or others please consider making a donation to the museum
By Susan