Pbenjay's Blog

English: Green, yellow and red bell peppers from the capsicum annuum plant. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Everyone knows that chicken soup is good for a cold.  I don’t really know why although I’m sure if I Google it, I could find out what qualities it contains that help alleviate some cold symptoms.  Maybe it’s just because it’s hot and warming, maybe it’s because we believe it will help or maybe…

• Chicken soup. Chicken soup might help relieve cold and flu symptoms in two ways. First, it acts as an anti-inflammatory by inhibiting the movement of neutrophils — immune system cells that participate in the body’s inflammatory response. Second, it temporarily speeds up the movement of mucus, possibly helping relieve congestion and limiting the amount of time viruses are in contact with the nose lining.

Ok so I did do the Google thing and now we know why Chicken Soup is just what mother and the doctor ordered.  Therefore let me do you one better;  I have a recipe for Red Hot Chicken Soup, a guaranteed cold buster.

1 head of garlic

2 TBS olive oil

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 green bell  peppers ( I used orange and yellow – I hate green peppers), chopped

2 red bell peppers, chopped

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced

3 TBS grated fresh ginger

8 cups of chicken broth

1 whole poached chicken breast ( poach breast, remove skin and pull meat from bones)

1 bunch of cilantro, chopped

Salt, Pepper

4 TBS lemon juice

Preheat toaster oven to 350 degrees, separate unpeeled cloves spread on baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes.  Cool, then press garlic out of skins and mash.  Put aside.

In 4 Qt heavy sauce pan , heat olive oil, Add chopped onion and cook over low heat, stirring for 10 minutes.  Add green, red and jalapeno peppers, mashed garlic, grated ginger root and cook stirring for a couple of minutes.  

Add chicken broth, simmer for 3-5 minutes.  Add chicken pieces and cilantro and cook a couple of minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Add lemon juice just before serving.

I can’t remember where I got this recipe otherwise I would give credit where credit is due!