Vegetable Broth Recipe
This recipe is vegan, paleo and gluten-free! That’s right, there’s a cruelty-free way to enjoy this best soup for a cold!
Ingredients
- 1 small to medium leek, sliced lengthwise and well cleaned (use white and light green parts)
- 2 medium carrots
- 3 stalks of celery
- 2 large or 3 medium whole cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1 very small or ½ large regular sweet potato
- 1 cup winter squash (like butternut)
- ½ a small bunch kale or chard (or a mixture of leafy greens), leaves only
- ½ cup fresh or ¼ cup dried shitake mushrooms (or a blend of mushrooms)
- 1 handful fresh flat leaf parsley
- 1 large piece of kombu
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 or 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, skin removed and grated
- 1 or 2-inch piece of fresh turmeric, skin removed grated
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 quarts/12 cups filtered water
- 1 Tablespoon of butter or extra virgin olive oil for serving
Instructions :
- Coarsely chop the vegetables into even sized pieces.
- Place all the ingredients except for the butter or olive oil into your slow cooker and add the water to cover. Set to 5 to 6 hours on high or 10 to 12 hours on low. (You can simmer it for longer for a more flavorful and reduced broth)
- Alternatively, in a large stock pot, cover the vegetables, herbs, and spices with the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and barely simmer on low for about 90 minutes.
- Strain liquid through a fine mesh strainer (set vegetables aside). Salt to taste.
- Let cool to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing.
Key Ingredients
Here are the ingredients that will make your soup pop!
1. Broth
Broth is at the heart of this best soup for a cold: the more nutritious the broth, the better!
Chicken soup contains nutrients that boost immune response and feed all your body’s systems. It’s all full of protein and fat, replenishing the energy your body is putting into fighting your infection.
Best of all, hot chicken soup improves nasal mucus velocity, helping your body expel pathogens and speed healing.
Vegetable broth is equally healing, so don’t think that you’re missing out if you’re vegetarian or vegan.
2. Garlic
This powerful bulb has the ability to prevent the common cold if taken daily for at least three months time. In fact, this habit can make you more than 50% less likely to suffer from a cold. It also shortens the duration of a cold (2).
That’s because garlic has antiviral and anti-inflammatory benefits, among other things.
3. Astragalus Root
Astragalus Root is a Chinese herb that’s been used for centuries to strengthen the body’s internal systems. It’s an adaptogen, which strengthens your body’s resistance to physical, mental, or emotional stress. It works by boosting immune response, lowering blood pressure, regulating blood sugar, and improving liver function. Plus, it’s particularly known to help against the common cold, allergic rhinitis and hayfever (3).
4. Ginger
Ginger is an incredible spice for inflammation, swelling, and pain typically caused by the cold and flu. It also has the ability to directly fight your infection. Fresh ginger actually protects against human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) infections by blocking viral attachment and internalization. This virus is responsible for various infections, including the common cold (4).
Best of all, ginger improves digestive issues, nausea, and appetite loss caused by the cold to speed up your recovery. It even soothes a sore throat.
5. Onion
Onion, like garlic, is a potent antiviral. It also contains quercetin, a heart-healthy flavonoid that boosts immune response and relieves allergy symptoms (5).
With a few good cups of this best soup for a cold, your illness will be gone in no time! Just make sure to stay hydrated by drinking a few cups of tea, and get plenty of rest.