Vegetable And Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

4 skinless chicken breast halves, pounded
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 small sweet onion, chopped
1 large leek, halved, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large carrot, julienned
3 medium red skinned potatoes, diced
1 can (16 oz. size) Italian tomatoes, drained, sliced
1/4 teaspoon marjoram
1 small green zucchini, sliced thin, diagonally
1 small yellow zucchini, sliced thin and halved
1 can (16 oz. size) consomme
2 cups water
2 cans (16 oz. size) chicken broth
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 bay leaf
8 black peppercorns
6 fennel seed
2 cloves garlic, crushed




Directions:
Rub chicken breasts with piece of crushed garlic and sprinkle with thyme. Heat small amount of oil in large skillet. On high heat quickly sear both sides chicken breast. Transfer to plate and season with salt and pepper.

Add consomme and scrape bits off bottom of skillet. Add chicken stock and water.

Tie peppercorns, garlic, bay leaf and fennel seed into cheese cloth. Add to stock. Add onions, leeks, carrots, tomatoes and potatoes to skillet and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 6 minutes.

Add chicken and simmer for a further 10 minutes. Add green and yellow zucchini, simmer 2 minutes.

Remove cheese cloth bag and discard. Remove chicken pieces, julienne and return to skillet. Add chopped parsley.

Serve with freshly grated Parmesan and crusty bread.