Chicken And Leek Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 medium sized leeks, well washed and chopped to 3/4-inch lengths
3 medium sized carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 stick celery, washed and coarsely chopped
1 fresh whole chicken (2-3 lbs)
1 bay leaf
salt
crushed black pepper

Preparation

Heat the oil in a large stock or soup pan. Add all the vegetables and brown over a medium-high heat for 5 minutes stirring constantly.
Add the chicken to the pot and enough water to more than cover. Add the bay leaf. Add 6 leek.
Cover the pot and simmer gently for 1- 1 1/2 hours or until the chicken is falling off the bone Remove the chicken and reserve.
Continue cooking the broth for 20 minutes to intensify the flavour. Season with salt and pepper.
Shred some of the reserved chicken meat and add to the finished soup.
Note: The reserved chicken can also be served as a separate course with boiled potatoes and other fresh vegetables.