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Scottish Cock-A-Leekie Soup

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pounds meaty chicken pieces (breast halves, thighs, and/or drumsticks)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups water
• 4 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces (2 cups)
• 1 stalk celery, sliced (1/2 cup)
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 medium leeks, sliced 1/4 inch thick, white and pale green parts only (1 1/3 cups)
• 1 tablespoon snipped thyme
• 3/4 cup quick-cooking barley
• 1/2 cup snipped dried plums (prunes)
• 1/3 cup snipped parsley
• 2 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, and chopped up

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients above up to leeks.
2. Bring to simmering over medium heat.
3. Simmer, covered, for 30 to 35 minutes.
4. Remove chicken, debone and chop it before returning meat to pot.
5. Add leeks and thyme to pot and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
6. Stir in barley.
7. Simmer, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes.
8. In a bowl combine dried plums, parsley, and bacon.
9. Ladle soup into bowls and top with bacon mixture.

Attribution