France was hard hit by World War II. Laws were passed to help the Gestapo round up French Jews for exportation to concentration camps. Of the 76,000 French Jews taken into custody, only about 2,500 survived. Most of the exported were taken to concentration camps created to hold about 700 people but eventually the number of inhabitants in the camps reached more than 7,000. Despite the effect of World War II on the Jewish population in France, the 2,000 year history is stronger than any insurgence. Today there are more than 500,000 people in Jewish communities in France.

Jewish Penicillin has been used to fight cold in pregnancy for centuries. The ingredients are all natural and work with the body to fight the symptoms of the common cold including fatigue, sneezing and coughing. While not all chicken soup recipes are listed as Jewish Penicillin, it does not mean one version is any more effective at fighting cold in pregnancy than another.

INGREDIENTS

6 leeks (whites only) – cut in ¼” circles and rinse well
4 medium onions, sliced
10 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
Thyme, thinly sliced
Black pepper, to taste
White wine, dry
3 ½ lb whole chicken
Cold water

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the chicken in a large stock pot and just cover with cold water.
2. Turn the heat to high and bring water to a boil.
3. Add sliced leeks, sliced onions, salt and pepper.
4. Throw the thyme into the pot.
5. Cover half way with a lid.
6. Allow to boil softly for one hour.
7. Take the chicken out of the pot and remove the skin.
8. Place the chicken back into the stock pot.
9. Add the sliced carrots to the broth.
10. Allow the chicken broth to boil until carrots are firm but cooked.
11. Add wine to the boiling broth – about one to two cups.
12. Simmer for 15 to 30 minutes to cook the alcohol out of the wine.
13. Serve hot with crusty French bread.