Ingredients

Serves 6 to 8

　　a 3 1/2 pound chicken

　　2 cups all-purpose flour

　　1 tablespoon cold vegetable shortening

　　1 teaspoon salt

　　1 large egg, beaten lightly

　　2 carrots, sliced thin

　　1 rib of celery, sliced thin

　　1 onion, minced

　　1 pound boiling potatoes (about 4)

　　1/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

　　

Step 1

Season the cavity of the chicken with salt and pepper, put the chicken in a kettle just large enough to hold it, and add 14 cups water. Bring the water to a boil, simmer the chicken, covered, skimming the froth, for 45 minutes or less, or until it is tender, and transfer it to a large bowl. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones, cut the meat into bite-size pieces, and chill it, covered. Measure the stock remaining in the kettle and boil it until it is reduced to about 10 cups. Strain the stock through a sieve into a bowl, let it cool, uncovered, and chill it, covered, overnight.

　　

Step 2

In a bowl blend together the flour, the shortening, and the salt. In a small bowl whisk together the egg and 2/3 cup cold water, add the mixture until it forms a soft but not sticky dough. Halve the dough, keeping half of it under an inverted bowl, roll out the other half on a heavily floured surface into a 12- by 10-inch rectangle, and cut it with a pastry wheel into 2-inch squares. Transfer the squares to a lightly floured baking sheet and roll and cut out the remaining dough in the same manner.

　　

Step 3

Discard the fat from the stock, return the stock to the kettle, and bring it to a boil with the chicken, the carrots, the celery, the onion, the potatoes, peeled and sliced thin, and salt and pepper to taste. Add the noodle squares, a few at a time, stirring gently, simmer the mixture, covered, for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the vegetables and noodles are tender, and stir in the parsley.