We are now approaching that time of year when it seems like everyone gets sick. And what’s worse than being sick during the vacations? Not much. If you feel like you’re on the verge of contracting something, drop everything and whip up this anti-sickness soup!
The health benefits of this soup are directly related to the ginger and garlic. Not only is ginger a natural anti-inflammatory, but it also aids digestion and treats nausea, vomiting and fevers. Garlic’s benefits include relieving sore throats, regulating blood pressure and eliminating parasites. Not bad for two natural foods, eh?
To prepare this anti-flu ginger and garlic soup, you need:
4 green onions, finely sliced
50g of grated root ginger
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely diced
7 cups of chicken broth or stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarians and vegans)
1 finely diced medium-hot chili pepper
Directions:
Step 1: Place the onions, garlic, and ginger in a large pot and gently saute on low heat for about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add the stock or broth and bring the soup to a boil.
Step 3: Gently simmer until all of the ingredients are softened.
Step 4: Add the chopped chili pepper and simmer for five minutes before serving with warm, crusty bread.
Variations:
If you are not a fan of spicy, try swapping out the chili pepper and sprinkle in some cinnamon instead for other health benefits.
For a heartier soup, add carrots and butternut squash to the pot. Allow them to simmer until softened and then puree the soup.
If you want to turn the cold-fighting benefits of this soup into a full meal, add sliced mushrooms, chopped broccoli, and cubed organic chicken cutlets into the pot. For vegetarian and vegan options, add beans instead of chicken. Add some wild rice or quinoa into the individual bowls and you have an easy and flu-fighting meal!
