If you’re feeling under the weather this winter, before you head to your doctor’s office, take a trip to your kitchen.
When you feel the first signs of a winter-borne bug, a scratchy throat, a runny nose, an achy feeling, Women’s Health magazine suggests it’s time for some feel-good foods.
The January-February issue includes the following recipe for made-from-scratch chicken soup, as an example of a dish that’s not only comforting, but is also packed with ingredients to boost your immune system and ward off illness. What it’s not packed with is fat and empty calories.
According to the magazine, researchers at the University of Nebraska found that homemade chicken soup really does make you feel better when you’re sick. It reduces congestion and inflammation by limiting the movement of white blood cells that produce infection-related mucus. The result? Fewer sniffles.
Ultimate flu-busting chicken soup
3chicken breasts (skin on and bone in, about 2 pounds)
2stalks celery, cut in half
4garlic cloves, peeled
1medium yellow onion, cut in half
2cups baby carrots, cut in half
1sprig fresh oregano
1teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (about 4 teaspoons)
1tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
1 1/2pounds red or purple potatoes, cut into bite-size pieces
3medium plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped (about 2 cups)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Put chicken, celery, two garlic cloves, 1 cup carrots, the oregano sprig, and half the onion into a large pot. Fill pot with cold water 2 inches above ingredients; put over high heat. When water boils, cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer 1 hour.
Set aside chicken to cool and discard all veggies and herbs. Strain broth into a large bowl, skim fat from top, and set aside.
Put oil, jalapeno, the chopped oregano leaves, 2 remaining garlic cloves (minced) and the remaining half onion (chopped) into a large pot. Cook at medium heat until vegetables are just soft, about 5 minutes. Turn heat to high; add broth, potatoes and remaining carrots. When broth boils, reduce heat to medium. Cook until potatoes and carrots are tender, about 15 minutes.
Remove skin and bones from chicken. Shred meat into bite-size pieces. Add chicken, tomatoes, salt, and pepper to soup. Cook until warm.
Makes about four 3-cup servings. Per serving: 291 cal., 26 g pro., 36 g carbo., 5 g fat (1 g saturated), 5 g fiber, 74 mg sodium.
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