On the curative powers of Chicken Noodle Soup:

I’m not certain if people actually ever eat chicken noodle soup when sick, or if that’s just an overused trope in media, whether it comes in the form of Bubbe’s Matzo Ball Soup, or the Samgyetang prepared lovingly by Umma in Kim’s Convenience.

My mother never prepared it for me, instead focusing on Toast Soldiers, or the simple beauty of Mashed Potatoes with spring onions and butter.

However, today, I discovered truly how wonderfully simple but elegant chicken noodle soup can be.

I had a leftover precooked chicken, I had an open pack of dry egg noodles, and proceeded to throw in some green onions, shiitake mushrooms, seaweed, alongside a broth cube, soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and for spices, salt, pepper, some curry powder, and some fresh ginger.

I threw it together figuring what's the worst that could happen. Its (likely) impossible to screw up a soup.

It was phenomenal, the steam curling up from the bowl as it layered around my cold Edinburgh Flat, the rich smell of chicken and ginger filling my apartment, as i carried it to my desk.

The rich glow of schmaltz on the surface of the bowl, the tender bits of chicken falling apart into strands, and the slippery feel of the egg noodles as i picked them up with chopsticks and slurped them, in a life affirming matter, every second was that of pure enjoyment, similar to the experience portrayed in Samurai Gourmet by the protagonist as he enjoys common foods with relish.

Despite the fact that the world is currently looking more and more vicious, cruel, and stupid every day, the first sip affirmed me to count the little things as we go into 2022, and has revived me.

Am I waxing poetically over this small soup like its a miracle? Maybe.

Have i also spent the past 4 days in bed, with a tangle of sheets that I wish i could sell to the Saatchi Gallery for £ 150,000.00 as Tracey Emin did after a depressive episode? Yes.

Am i trying to look forward to the future? Quite possibly yes.

So, if you can, make some soup. It may not be as effective as the Booster jab for the Omicron Variant, but it may help you recover a bit of perspective and some goodwill for the coming year ahead.

I do truly hope that going forward, everyone is able to keep safe, sane, and regain some measure of stability as we enter 2022.

Here is to another year, and may the year forward bring some good news in the face of overwhelming despair.

With best wishes

Patrick.