Hilary Duff’s Texas childhood includes a very fond memory: Her mom, Susan, would make a brothy chicken soup, infused with corn, cilantro and lime, whenever Ms. Duff was feeling under the weather. It’s a tradition she now carries on for her four children.
While promoting her new album, “Luck … or Something,” and tour, Ms. Duff stopped by the New York Times kitchen studio to share this family favorite recipe.
Watch the full video below (or on YouTube) to see her make the recipe, and read ahead for excerpts from the interview and the outtakes, which have been edited and condensed.
Credit…David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Hilary, this is your mom’s recipe. Can you tell us more about it?
HILARY DUFF Every time I’m sick, my mom makes me this soup. It’s got a little bit of a Mexican flair to it, so there’s cilantro and lime and jalapeño. It’s meant to be a real sinus opener. Just like that comforting chicken soup vibe with a spin.
How is this recipe shared in your family?
DUFF This recipe is not shared on an index card. She’s a real free-flowing recipe. So, we’re like, “What do we have? How do we throw this together?” It’s casual soup, if you will. There’s no real measurements. I think that’s the way soup is meant to be.
Did you tell your mom that you were sharing her recipe with us?
DUFF Oh yeah, I had to call my mom and be like, “I know how to do this, but do you have the measurements or can you walk me through the steps?” I asked for some tips, for sure. I need the GOAT to tell me what to do.
Who’s the cook in your house?
DUFF I’m the cook in my house, although my kids say that my husband [the music producer Matthew Koma] makes better avocado toast, and I’m so offended by that.
What does he do differently?
DUFF I don’t know! Quicker, faster, less thought? I like to put dill on my avocado toast, and lemon and chia seeds, so there’s texture, and they’re probably repulsed by that. His is straight up basic, lemon, salt. And he mashes it to all hell. Really dogging that guy. I’m appreciative when he makes it, and I don’t have to!
What was the first thing you cooked for your husband?
DUFF I used to make overnight oats for him, for the week. And I would make all kinds of crazy concoctions in little cute jars and label them with tape. And I think he was like: “This is a good girl. We’re gonna try to keep her around.” [Laughs] He’s also lactose intolerant, so that’s been a hard thing for me to swallow through our relationship. I have to go on my cheese journeys alone or with a friend.
Credit…Victoria Chen
Do you have any go-to recipes?
DUFF We do a lot of taco bowls. I’ve recently gotten into making enchiladas with my son. It’s so easy, and it’s really fun. And I just love that he’ll hang out with me and do something in the kitchen. I aspire to cook more in the coming years, but right now, I have a lot of kids with a lot of opinions.
Are your kids picky eaters?
DUFF I wouldn’t say they’re picky eaters, but this one doesn’t like this thing, and this one kinda likes this thing. I just can’t get too advanced with the meals.
When you’re on tour, do you request any specific food items on your rider?
DUFF My rider is so boring right now. I have to change things around. I’ll tell you what’s on my rider. Chips and salsa, a jar of dill pickles, string cheese, a veggie tray, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, watermelon Sour Patch Kids, wine, lemon Spindrift, Diet Coke and water. Oh and meat sticks, like Chomps. My kids call them meat sticks, I’m like, “we gotta change this.” I’m used to making the snacks, and then someone’s like, “What do I want?” And I’m like, “I don’t know what I want!” It’s so weird to think like that, I think, as a mom.
You’ve spent some time living in New York. Do you have a restaurant you always go back to when you visit now?
DUFF I used to go to The Little Owl a lot. When I was doing “Gossip Girl,” I lived around Union Square, and there was a restaurant called Union Square Cafe. I used to love going there. But I’m not a creature of habit. I like to try new places.
Is there a specific food that reminds you of being on the “Lizzie McGuire” set?
DUFF I can literally see the craft service table in my mind right now, and I haven’t thought about that in so long. I think I ate a lot of chicken tenders back then. I think that was probably my main food source.
Will the song “I Can’t Wait” from the “Lizzie McGuire” soundtrack make it to your set list?
DUFF I just had a conversation with my musical director about that song and when we’re going to use it. That’s a deep cut. But like, the ones who know, know. I’m gonna use it when I need it, but it’s not going to be on a set list. It’ll just make a surprise appearance, and I think there’s going to be a couple of tracks that rotate to excite.
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