Almost like clockwork, February rolls around and, one by one, my family catches a cold. This year, my husband brought the viral plague into the house, and I was next in line to catch it. Before my first sniffle, though, I got out my stock pot and started on a large batch of chicken stock, because I knew I'd be making plenty of soup in the next few days.
I don't know why soup seems so comforting when we're sick. Perhaps it's because soup is light, especially if it's broth-based, and it's generally easy to digest. The fact that it's warm and soothing on a sore throat probably doesn't hurt, either. But does your mom's famous chicken soup contain any special healing properties? I guess that depends on your mom and her soup.
While no one understands how the mysterious properties of chicken soup make someone feel better, there is science behind why certain foods do make a difference when you've come down with a case of the common cold.
Of course, we all know that foods rich in vitamin C are a good idea, but drinking a tall glass of OJ might not be too soothing on a sore throat or a tender tummy. Consider other foods that also offer vitamin C, such as dark leafy greens, peppers (both sweet and hot), broccoli, berries, cantaloupes and tomatoes. All of these foods have the added benefit of being generally nutrient-rich. So when you eat them, you're getting the benefit of a whole host of other vitamins, too.
Orange fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and sweet potatoes, are rich in beta-carotene. When we eat these foods, our bodies convert the beta-carotene to vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining a strong immune system.
So this year, when faced with the prospect of my whole family being hit with the cold bug, I decided to make a soup that was a cold-fighting powerhouse by including as many of the viral-busting foods that I could reasonably fit into the pot.
Oh, and I also wanted it to be quick, easy and good. Who has the energy for a long, involved recipe when they're sick? Not me. And no one wants to sip soup that doesn't taste good, even if you do think it's going to make you feel better.
After careful consideration, in between a few strategically placed naps, I landed on a Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup. Chicken, carrots and spinach are combined with a ginger-infused chicken broth and poured over rice and fresh ginger slivers. The result is a clean-tasting, comforting soup, with just a hint of spiciness from the ginger.