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Hunkering Down!

With the weather downright frosty a cozy soup celebrates the art of hunkering down! Not Your Grandma’s Chicken Soup… This is grandma’s famous chicken soup, with a colorful twist or two. There’s nothing like it for healing body and spirit.

Chicken soup is magic, we all know that, but there’s science behind that magic. Chicken soup is comforting, can keep you hydrated while you’re under the weather, and helps with upper respiratory cold and flu symptoms. Grandma was smart, and her soup is pretty good, but this version is even smarter and includes herbs, vegetables, and other ingredients many cultures believe are helpful remedies when you’re down for the count.

hot chicken broth ~ hydrating, helps maintain your electrolyte balance, and acts as a mucus clearing decongestant

garlic and leeks ~ they have antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. SUBSTITUTE: onions or green onions

ginger ~ fights infections, anti-inflammatory.

carrots ~ Vitamin A to help produce antibodies. SUBSTITUTE: sweet potatoes

olive oil ~ to help with the absorption of fat soluble vitamins (D, A, K and E)

turmeric ~ this superfood has super anti-inflammatory powers. SUBSTITUTE: saffron or cumin

cayenne ~ the anti-inflammatory capsaicin can help ease a sore throat and clear clogged passages. SUBSTITUTE: fresh jalapeno or Serrano peppers.

thyme ~ antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, expectorant, and astringent. SUBSTITUTE: sage

But all that healthy stuff means nothing if you don’t have the time or energy to make this soup. This recipe is ready in 30 minutes ~ so important when you’re feeling under the weather. To make the magic happen in record time, use Swanson Chicken Broth and a rotisserie chicken. I chose Swanson Organic Free-Range Chicken Stock because it’s made by cooking the meat and bones down to concentrate the flavor, in other words, it does grandma’s work for you.

The emerald green pistou is a French trick for livening up soups… it’s a pesto-like blend of fresh basil, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. This optional step adds a pop of bright flavor and color when you spoon it onto the soup before serving. Stir it in just before taking your first slurp. Grandma would approve!

“If winter helps you curl up and more that makes it one of the best of the seasons.”
~ Murray Pura