::lemony:chicken:&:orzo:soup::

In The Kitchen...

I wrote the other day that I began writing a post and than quickly deleted it...much of it was about feeling uninspired...and honestly, I can't seem to get out of my rut with regards to writing. It's like I have some sort of writer's block and all my writing is just a bunch of bullshit and I feel like cursing. 

It's all a bunch of monotonous garbage and even my vocabulary is hampered and insipid. 

Last night I tried to write a blog post as I sat next to our fireplace. We turned it on for the first time...who wouldn't feel inspirited? Cozied up under the blanket with my puppy, Travis watching a bit of TV, fireplace going, cool and crisp out there, knowing that Autumn is on its way...I mean? Why am I always drawing blanks?!!
Anyways, there is no sense in beating myself up now...I am even deliberating on deleting this blurb right here. I can't even effing type properly right now!!!

So I have been on the search for some Fall-isk recipes since it has been quite cool ~ this morning it's only +11C out there! 
But now I hear that this weekend we are supposed to get a bit of a heat wave...what is with you Mother Nature?!? 
Regardless, I am still going to share a recipe that I found. I was thinking of making it tonight but honestly, I can't be bothered going into the grocery store, yet again tonight...I am notorious for going into Zehr's {our grocery store here in Southern Ontario} on a nightly basis grabbing random ingredients and that really has to stop because I tend to just grab arbitrary things here and there also. I have been doing pretty good lately just going once a week but I also tend to get into these moods where I do plan my meals on a weekly basis and then I change my mind abruptly because I peruse sites and suddenly change my mind on what tonight's dinner meal will be. 

Who know's...I might do that tonight...either way...this is the recipe I'd like to share with you, sounds delicious, although my boyfriend isn't too fond of "too much" lemon, I think I will give this a try soon enough...I am not a fond of celery, but I will give this a crack either way. ;) 

Bon Appetit!

Lemony Chicken & Orzo Soup

Serves: 4 // Prep: 15 min // Total: 45 min

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium leek, white and pale-green parts only, halved length-wise, sliced crosswise 1/2-inch thick

1 celery stalk, sliced crosswise 1/2-inch thick

12-ounces skinless, boneless chicken thighs

6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup orzo

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

Lemon halves {for servings}

Directions
Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add leek and celery and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are soft, 5-8 minutes. Add chicken and broth; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer until chicken is cooked through, 15-20 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate. Let cook, then shred chicken into bite-size pieces. 

Meanwhile, return broth to a boil. Add orzo and cook until al dente, 8-10 minutes. 

Remove pot from heat. Stir in chicken and dill. Serve with lemon halves for squeezing over. 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Actually that didn't seem so bad. I thought that the recipe called for lemon within the cooking and not for an actual garnishing. So my boyfriend might not mind too much. 

This sounds like a delightful dinner for a cold night, like what it's supposed to be like tonight! Maybe I can convince Travis to make a stop at Zehr's. :P 

Instead of celery I might just add carrots instead since I prefer that, and we are both fans of leeks, so I am sure neither of us would mind that and instead of thighs I might throw in boneless, skinless breasts. Orzo sounds like a nice alternative to egg noodles too. 

And it's all in one pot, which makes for easy cleanup. 

Definitely something I am going to have to give a try soon. 

-S.*