Basic Chicken Soup

Bring all ingredients just to boil in a large pot. Skim off foam and discard. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 21/2 hours or until the chicken is very tender.

Strain the liquid, cool and refrigerate so the fat can be removed easily. Let the meat cool until it can be handled. Remove meat from bones. Discard bones (your dog or cat will thank you for the skin and the vegetables).

Skim fat from the broth; freeze up to 6 months or make one of the recipes below.