Waste Not – Avgolemono Soup

Avgolemono Soup by TheMessyBaker.com

Waste Not – Avgolemono Soup

Avgolemono Soup by TheMessyBaker.com

Avgolemono soup might be hard to say but it’s incredibly simple to make. It’s so easy, you can make it when you’re sick and wobbly and barely able to stand without sneezing so hard you knock yourself over. I proved that the other day.

Being on the far side of a bad winter cold that kept me housebound, the fridge was not its normal over-stuffed self. Other than some questionable cheese and wilting celery, the only edibles were eggs, a bit of leftover rice and just enough cold roast chicken to leave you wishing you had more. Fortunately, this is just what you need for avgolemono soup — minus the questionable cheese and wilting celery. Well, that and lemons and chicken stock, which I consider pantry staples, even though they’re not kept in the pantry

Avgolemono Soup by TheMessyBaker.com

The soup comes together in a matter of minutes requiring no more skill than the ability to crack a few eggs and zest a lemon. The biggest challenge — and I use that term loosely — is tempering the eggs. Rush things and you could end up with a curdled mess. But with a bit of patience, you can make those eggs produce a smooth, velvety soup that’s gently rich.

Grab a whisk. Set out the eggs. Shred those scrips and scraps of chicken, and pull the cold, clumpy rice from the back of the fridge. In the time it takes to heat a frozen, cardboard-crusted pizza, you can create a soup that will make you forget it’s winter and that your sinuses are on strike.

Avgolemono Soup by TheMessyBaker.com

Got a soup that uses up the leftovers? Share your tips in the comments section.

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Avgolemono Soup

Avgolemono Soup by TheMessyBaker.com

This classic Greek soup is dairy-free, yet velvety smooth. Loaded with lemon and dotted with chicken and rice, this is a perfect way to use up leftovers from last night’s dinner.

  • Author: Charmian Christie
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups chicken stock (homemade is best, use low-sodium commercial broth in a pinch)
  • 3/4 cup slivered cooked chicken (optional)
  • 3/4 cup cooked rice
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature (3 if using commercial chicken broth)
  • Zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (don’t use bottled)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat, bring stock to a gentle boil. Add the rice and chicken. Heat until it just begins to boil again. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook 5 minutes.
  2. In a medium, heatproof bowl, whisk the eggs with the lemon zest and lemon juice until smooth.
  3. Slowly, slowly, slowly pour a ladle of hot stock into the eggs, whisking as you pour.Slowly add a second ladle of hot stock. (This warms the eggs gently. If you add the hot stock too quickly the eggs will curdle.)
  4. Remove the pot of stock from the heat and slowly pour the warmed egg mixture into the soup, stirring well.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

Why the extra egg with commercial broth? A good homemade chicken stock is gelatinous when chilled and produces a full-bodied soup. Commercial broth might have flavour, but is liquid and watery. I find avgolemono made with homemade stock needs only 2 eggs, but commercial stock needs a third.

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13 Comments
  • A Canadian Foodie
    Posted at 14:16h, 14 February

    You know, I made this soup years ago, loved it – so why never again? Because my experience was that making it was an ordeal… that was when I wasn’t so experienced in the kitchen. Thanks for the confidence builder. I will definitely give this soup another go… and about waste – and not to be obnoxious – but after I bought my Thermomix machine, almost all of the soups I make anymore are made to use food I used to throw out – because I can now make soups so effortlessly…
    Not that making soup is hard, but it is so effortless for me, now – and I adore soups – so most definitely, and almost daily, I am cleaning out my fridge and either throwing the wobbly veggies in a soup or a stir fry – usually a soup. Aromatics, broth and veggies, seasonings and then I usually do a pureed soup. If I am really adventurous – and depending upon the salvageables in the fridge, I may toast some spices and add them to the mix.
    🙂
    Love your waste theme.
    V

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 17:03h, 14 February

    Valerie, I just made another pot this afternoon, again using up leftovers. I swear to you, this one of the fastest, easiest soups I make. I first made it in university using bottled lemon juice. I changed that quickly and haven’t had an issue since. If you can whisk, you can make this soup!

    The Waste Not theme will resurface from time to time. I tossed dead vegetables last night (sniff). I don’t have a Thermomix, but that’s no excuse not to salvage vegetables. I just need to work on small batch soups!

    If you do make the avgolemono soup, I’d love to hear if you find it as easy as I do!

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  • Kim Bultman
    Posted at 16:00h, 11 March

    I saw your Avgolemono soup on Chef Dennis’ “Let’s Eat Healthy” event and HAD to get your recipe. Thank you so much! Wonderful writing and photos, too. 🙂

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 16:06h, 11 March

    Thanks so much, Kim. I really appreciate your kind words and enthusiasm. I hope you like the recipe. I made it three times in a row when I had a horrid winer cold. I love how easy it is to make.

    Thanks also for letting me know where you found the recipe. Chef Dennis is a genius for creating that event!

  • Laurel Chouinard
    Posted at 16:48h, 03 November

    I also added spinach…yummy!

  • Laurel Chouinard
    Posted at 16:49h, 03 November

    I also added spinach…yummy!!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 19:43h, 26 November

    What a great idea! I’m following this under “why didn’t I think of this myself”. I’ll have to give this a try the next time I make avegolemono soup.

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  • Kathe Lieber
    Posted at 11:16h, 23 March

    I’m going to make this today — I happen to have all the ingredients, so the stars are clearly aligned!

    Will probably make the Buttermilk Scones as well — picturing you in your cosy kitchen.

    Thanks from Montreal,

    Kathe

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 14:06h, 23 March

    Glad your culinary stars have aligned. Hope you like this soup. I make it in class on occasion and people are amazed how quickly it comes together.

    If you make the scones, please enjoy one with a cup of tea for me. I’ll be there with you in spirit. Stay safe! Best wishes from Ontario (we just got locked down!)

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