I made the best chicken soup--EVER--in the whole history of chicken soups--on Saturday night, outdoing my previous best. And I have to say I do make really, really good chicken soup. Homemade stock and homemade noodles being key parts of what makes it so good.
But Saturday? A whole new level of chicken soup nirvana.
I mentioned it on Twitter/Facebook and received some requests for the secret. And here's my dilemma: Do I share it? Do I keep this one recipe as my specialty, my super-duper secret recipe? Or do I give it to the world? (Or those of you who read my blog, as the case may be.)
Of course, it would be more of a set of chicken soup guidelines, because I just make it and don't ever measure anything in the process.
Maybe I'm wondering because I watched New in Town the other day--and there's a secret tapioca recipe in the movie. (BTW, I love tapioca. Can't remember the last time I had it, but YUM.)
So here's my question: Do I keep a secret recipe? Do you? What is it? (The recipe, not the secret.) And how do you feel about tapioca? Love it? Hate it? (Seems like it's either one or the other--no in between.)
Okay, so that's more than one question. Waiting to hear...
Tapioca was a staple fall/winter comfort food in my house. It is one of the few good childhood memories I have. LOVE IT.
I don't believe in secret recipes. What is the point of keeping it secret? Our lives are so darn full that the comfort of a good recipe should be shared. The love involved in a secret recipe is passed on whenever it is shared. So love and good food being shared by friends - you can't top that!
Posted by: Yvette | September 20, 2010 at 05:57 PM
Share please! I'm all the way in Alabama...I won't tell...pinky promise
Posted by: Wife of Rob | September 20, 2010 at 07:32 PM
I don't care what you do, but the word "tapioca" gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Posted by: Marla Taviano | September 20, 2010 at 07:38 PM
Tapioca = Love
I say tease a little with the recipe. Do you add an unexpected ingredient or two? The fun of recipes - especially soup - is trial and error!
Posted by: chapmanchick | September 20, 2010 at 07:38 PM
I LOVE-LOVE Tapioca!!
Posted by: Bobbie Jo | September 20, 2010 at 08:29 PM
I'm a recipe-sharer--but like you, I find it difficult to explain exactly what I did. "Um, I threw a couple of handfuls of frozen green peppers in... And there was maybe half a package of cream cheese leftover from some cream cheese brownies that I added too..."
I like tapioca, but wouldn't go out of my way to have it.
Posted by: bekahcubed | September 21, 2010 at 05:35 AM
hee hee....I loved New in Town! Especially the scrapbook of dead pets :) I LOVE tapioca...and homemade chick n noodle soup! Bob Evan's is one of my fav's. I'm guessing it is the homemade noodles that makes it soooo extra yummy. I like secret recipies...they're kinda fun and have a warm fuzzy kinda feeling for the family ;)
Posted by: Jeni | September 21, 2010 at 09:22 AM
I have loved that my mother-in-law -- who is an excellent cook -- has never kept a secret but rather has freely shared her knowledge & taught all us daughters-in-law much about cooking. But, the mother-in-law sharing is different than sharing with the whole blog world....that on the other hand is a different question for which I know not the answer.
Posted by: Kathleen Jaeger | September 21, 2010 at 12:03 PM
I usually share my recipes freely - except for the measurements. Just guesstimates. But not because I'm mean or secretive, simply because other than baking I rarely measure ingredients. However, I think it's pefectly fine (and kinda fun) for people to have "signature dishes" that they are known for. I have two recipes that I created that everyone begs me to make: a creamy jalepeno dip and a fresh apple spice cake. Similar recipes can be found but it's the little "tweaks" that make them mine all mine.
So? If you're the soup queen, hold back on that one recipe and make it your signature dish - just be prepared to make it for everyone since they can't make it themselves! LOL
Posted by: Dawn W | September 21, 2010 at 01:02 PM
Not to be morbid, but it was such a shame when my great-grandma died and her "secret" recipes died with her. So at least, write them down somewhere.
My mom loves tapioca. I've never tried it. Now I'm curious.
Posted by: Meg | September 21, 2010 at 02:09 PM
I say share the recipe please and I like tapioca but rarely make it. I've so enjoyed the recipes you've shared!
Posted by: Gretchen | September 22, 2010 at 04:29 AM
Ick on the tapioca. It's just ummm...GROSS! Can't take the little slimy balls. eeeww!
However, I am having the exact same recipe dilemma. I have two recipes that I get CONSTANT requests for and I just can't decide if I want to part with them. So I haven't done anything......yet! :-)
Posted by: Jen | September 22, 2010 at 04:47 AM