We all know that feeling, don't we? Waking up with a scratchy throat, a slight chill in the air brushing against our skin, telling us that our bodies are bracing for a battle against the onset of a cold or flu. It's during these times we're gently reminded of the age-old wisdom that sometimes, the simplest remedies are tucked away in the warm embrace of our kitchens.
Today, I want to share something special with you—a recipe that's not just food, but a time-honored elixir for those under-the-weather days. This isn't just any recipe; it's Esther’s Warming Chicken Soup to Kick Out the Flu, a healing concoction from the treasure trove of knowledge in Total Health the Chinese Way by Esther Ting and Marianne Jas.
Why is Chicken Soup So Healing?
There’s a quaint charm and an almost magical aura surrounding chicken soup, isn't there? But what if I told you that its ability to soothe your symptoms and nudge you towards recovery was grounded in solid, traditional Chinese medicine principles? According to Ting and Jas, "Hot and Warming foods: Onions and chicken move energy upward and outward, helping the body to perspire and release toxins locked inside." In essence, this delightful broth doesn’t just warm your soul but actively participates in your healing process by promoting the outward movement of yang energy to "kick" the viruses out of your body.
The inclusion of ginger and onions isn't mere happenstance. These ingredients are champions at warming the body, aiding in digestion, and ensuring smooth circulation - all critical when your body is in the grip of a cold or flu. It's about creating a nurturing environment for your body to heal, by choosing foods that bolster your body's natural defenses.
Esther’s Recipe - A Bounty of Warmth and Healing
Let’s peel away from the theory and dive into the heart of Esther’s recipe. It's beautifully simple and calls for ingredients that are likely already part of your pantry:
1 whole young chicken
3 small pieces of ginger, sliced
1 large onion
2 ribs celery, cut in half
1 bunch parsley
1 bunch dill
Salt and pepper to taste
Place the entire chicken and ginger in a large pot. Add water to cover. Boil for 45 minutes.
Add the vegetables and simmer for 10 minutes, until soft.
Remove the chicken, debone it, and add it to the bowl.
Skim off fat from the broth, if any, and season to taste.
Add the broth and vegetables to the bowl, inhale the aroma, and enjoy!
Prepare it In Advance
The best time to prepare this soup isn't when you're already sniffling and sneezing. It's a brilliant idea to make and freeze it ahead of time because, let's face it, cooking is the last thing you want to do when you're feeling under the weather.
Next time a cold whispers its way into your life, let the warm, healing embrace of this soup be your shield.
Your body knows instinctively what it needs to heal - sometimes, all it asks for is a bowl of comforting, healing chicken soup, prepared with love and a sprinkle of wisdom from traditions old and new.
Reference: "Total Health the Chinese Way" by Esther Ting and Marianne Jas, provides the foundation for the healing properties of chicken soup discussed and shared in this post.
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