Avgolemono Soup
Avgolemono is one of those soups that I've made many times, but rarely from scratch. It's usually a 'there's nothing in the house' type of thing and made with a carton of broth. Even in its quick-and-easy form, it's a delicious and comforting meal, but when you use a fresh whole chicken, it becomes epic. Garnish with parsley and lemon zest.
whole chicken
1
(3 pound)
onion, chopped
1
celery, chopped
2
ribs
carrot, chopped
1
bay leaves
2
salt, or more to taste 
2
teaspoons
dried oregano leaves
¼
teaspoon
cold water
3
quarts
finely diced onion
2
cups
extra-virgin olive oil
2
tablespoons
arborio rice, or more to taste
⅔
cup
large eggs
2
ground black pepper
½
teaspoon
cayenne pepper
1
pinch
fresh lemon juice
½
cup
 Place chicken, 1 chopped onion, celery, carrot, bay leaves, salt, and oregano in a large pot. Pour water over the top; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, skimming foam as necessary, until chicken is falling off the bone, 60 to 90 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
  Transfer chicken to a large bowl to cool. Strain all vegetables from simmering broth, discard vegetables, and return broth to the pot. Chop chicken meat into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
  Combine 2 cups diced onion, olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion mixture until onion is soft, sweet, and golden, 7 to 10 minutes.
  Stir onion mixture into broth in the pot and set over medium-low heat; add Arborio rice and a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, until rice is very tender and broth flavors combine, about 45 minutes.
  Whisk together eggs, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl; whisk in lemon juice until combined. Slowly pour 1 cup broth mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk another 1 cup broth mixture into egg mixture, then pour egg mixture into the pot. Stir well.
  Add chopped chicken and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes more.
