Tis the season to pay extra attention to all things that keep you healthy and warm, your immune system strong and to protect yourself from germs that try their hardest to bring you down! Now is also a great time to enjoy immune-boosting and hydrating chicken soup! Few things feel better then chicken soup in winter. Astragalus is an immune boosting herb added to this soup recipe.
SUPER-BOOST CHICKEN SOUP adapted from www.nourishingmeals.com
yields ~12 servings
ingredients
BROTH:
1 whole organic chicken (4 to 5 pounds)
16 cups water
1 medium onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
4 to 5 shiitake mushrooms, chopped
1 whole head garlic, halve each clove
2 to 3 inches fresh ginger, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons dried astragalus
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 stalk lemongrass, chopped
*consider adding cayenne pepper to taste for an extra kick
SOUP:
1 medium onion, chopped
3 carrots, sliced
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 cups shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
2 to 3 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
4 to 5 cups sliced cabbage of choice
1 cup chopped cilantro
*consider adding in diced sweet potatoes / yams
DIRECTIONS:
To start making the soup, add all ingredients for the broth into an 8-quart stockpot, cover, and simmer for about 1 ½ to 2 hours on low heat.
Place a large colander over another 8-quart pot or large stainless steel bowl. Pour the broth through it to strain out the chicken and vegetables. Place the pot of broth back on the stove. Place the chicken onto a plate to cool. Bring the broth to a boil, add the all of the ingredients for the soup except the cabbage and cilantro. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
While the vegetables are cooking, pull all of the meat from the chicken and cut into smaller pieces. Add the chicken to the soup. Once the vegetables are tender, turn off the heat and add the chopped cabbage and cilantro. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired.
“Concern yourself not with what is right and what is wrong but with what is important.” ~Unknown
Be Well ~Meg @REJOOVwithMeg
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