Immune Boosting Soup

Chicken & Rice Soup

Feeling under the weather this season? You're not the only one. I know it's super tempting to load up on all the over the counter medications because you're busy, You don't have time be sick! You have a life, a schedule, and tons of things to do that do not wait for you while you're sick. Whatever your regimen is to kick the sickness, this soup certainly won't  hurt! They key is making a flavorful broth that is packed with immune boosting ingredients. From there, you can add any ingredients that you like. I happen to love chicken and rice so I can use that as a base and create any number of delicious soups around that! So take this recipe and make it your own! Use up all those leftover ingredients that are sitting in your fridge. Be proactive with your health and reap the benefits. The keys to this immune boosting broth are simple. I start by sauteing garlic, white onion, fresh ginger and chili flakes in a touch of olive oil. By sauteing these ingredients I open up the aromatic elements and start creating a flavorful base. From there, you can add water or chicken broth along with other aromatic elements to create a stock that we will later use to assemble our soup. Once the broth comes to a boil, add in some chicken breast and allow that to slowly simmer for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken, and strain your stock. Now we're ready to make the soup. 

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Ingredients

For the stock:
3 cloves of garlic, smashed
1 whole white onion, rough chop
1T chili flakes
1T ginger, rough chop
1-2 stalks celery, rough chop
1-2 each carrots, peeled
1T black peppercorns
stalks of parsley or cilantro
2-3 chicken breast
1 QT water or store bought chicken broth
Salt to taste

For the soup
1/2 lb yukon potatoes, medium dice
1/2 lb carrots, medium dice
cooked white rice
1-2 roma tomatoes, quartered and de-seeded
3 corn tortillas, lightly charred
1 T red pepper paste (mild or spicy)
reserved chicken, shredded
Salt, pepper, cumin to taste

​For Garnish
cilantro
cabbage
radish
green onion
poached egg

Method

1. Start by making a stock from scratch. You could always simplify this step by purchasing a store bought stock and adding the immune boosting ingredients (ginger, onion, chili and garlic). 
   
2. To make from scratch, start by sauteing your ginger, chili flake and garlic in 1T of olive oil. Once you can smell the lovely aroma go ahead and add your water or store bought stock. Throw in your other aromatics, white onion, celery, carrots, peppercorns, herb stems, and season with salt. 
3. Once this mixture comes to a boil, reduce to a simmer and add your chicken breast. Cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken and reserve for later. Strain your stock through a fine-mesh strainer and reserve. 
4. Now to prepare your soup, first cook your white rice and reserve. Shred your chicken once it's cooled.  Cut , quarter and de-seed tomatoes. We won't add this into the soup because they cook very quickly and the hot broth will cook them once it is served. 
5. Lightly char your corn tortillas and add to a blender. Add about a cup of your hot broth along with your red pepper paste and puree until smooth. You will add this mixture back to your soup. This step isn't necessary however it adds a layer of flavor and texture that is just delicious!
6. Prepare all your garnishes. Chop cilantro, green onion, and cabbage. 
7. Peel and cut your carrots and potatoes. Bring your strained stock to a boil and add the carrots and potatoes and allow to simmer for 25-30 minutes until cooked through. Add in your shredded chicken. Bring to a boil and now you are ready to assemble. If you are incorporating an egg, crack it right into your hot soup and allow to simmer for 3-4 minutes until the white is set. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. 
8. In a serving bowl, scoop out about 1/2 cup of cooked rice. Arrange your  tomatoes around the rice. Ladle in your delicious broth with potatoes, carrots and chicken. 
9. Garnish with all your cut veggies and poached egg and enjoy!