Soups and Starters
Flu Fighting Sweet Potato Soup |
This recipe is wonderful. It provides masses of nutrients, improves circulation, and includes herbs that give the immune system a kick! Not to mention the fact that it is delicious!!!
1 Large sweet potato
2/3 cup of red lentils
1 medium sized red onion
1 inch of fresh ginger
3 cloves of garlic (not advised before a date!)
for stock
1 cup of dried astragalus roots (available from stores such as Neals Yard Remedies)
1.5 cups of dried shiitake mushrooms
vegetable buillon powder to taste
Start by preparing the stock. Put the astragalus roots and shiitake mushrooms in a large skillet pan and cover them with cool water. Bring this to the boil then simmer gently for about 30 mins, occasionally topping up the water to maintain the original volume. Strain the liquid, discard the roots and mushrooms and add enough vegetable buillon to suit your taste. Set the stock aside in another container.
Put the red lentils on the boil until they are soft. In the skillet again saute the finely chopped onion, garlic, and ginger in some cold pressed olive oil, adding a liitle bit of salt (very important to bring all the flavours out). Saute these until they are all soft. Add the peeled diced sweet potato and the drained red lentils. Cover all these ingredients with the enough stock to suitably cover these ingredients (you can always add more if it is too thick, but you cannot take it away!). Boil together until the sweet potato is soft. At this point blend the soup thoroughly and a beautiful smooth rich soup is the end result. A nutritional and medicinal power house.
contains:
Anti-oxidants - such as vitamin C, beta carotene and many flavanoids (red, yellow, and orange pigments in plants) which will reduce inflammation that is partly responsible for the aches and pains.
Polysaccharides - These are large sugar molecules that aren't actually absorbed by the body, but will influence the immune system. These molecules come from the astragalus root and the shiitake mushroom. They stimulate the production and activity of white blood cells, and make them more aggressive - thus increasing the rate of recovery.
Protein - from the lentils. Good quality protein is vital when fighting any infection. It is vital for recovery and for optimal functioning of the immune system and production of the cells that compose it.
Garlic - is a potent antibacterial and antiviral agent. It contains volatile oils (that friends can smell the day after your curry!!) that is capable of killing bacteria and viruses in the upper respiratory tract (lungs, nose throat).
Ginger - increases circulation thus aids in nutrient and oxygen transport to all areas of the body. This ensures optimal function of all tissues and provision of nourishment to them!
Enjoy!!!!!