Immune Boosting Chicken Noodle Soup
My family loves chicken noodle soup – especially on a cold, snowy day! When my kids were smaller, nothing was more comforting than a big pot of soup simmering on the stove all afternoon while the kids were building snow forts and sledding. They would troop into the house, all snowy and wet. As soon as they got inside, they would smell the soup simmering and, with a hopeful look, ask if it was ready. I would peel all the wet layers of hats, gloves, boots, and jackets off and set them down at the table. As soon as that bowl of steaming soup was in front of them, they would taste that first spoonful and grin. I still picture those rosy faces slurping up all that chicken noodle goodness! Fast forward to 2021. I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent an aggressive treatment plan. I battled breast cancer and won. One of my weapons of choice was food. Healthy foods helped keep up my strength during chemotherapy, helped me heal after surgery, and helped reduce inflammation after radiation. In particular, there was an amazing mineral broth recipe my friend shared that I drank on a regular basis. Made from tons of vegetables and kombu, it was nutrient dense, with tons of natural electrolytes, yet gentle on your stomach. Perfect for those days after chemo when you were nauseous but still needed to eat to keep up your strength. It worked better than Ensure, or any of the various electrolyte drinks doctors suggested. Now, I am always finding ways to boost the health impact of my recipes. My Immune Boosting Chicken Noodle Soup does take a couple hours to prepare – I worked in some of the mineral broth ingredients – but I promise you it is totally worth it! It has all the feel good noodles, some simple additions that add great health benefits, AND tastes awesome! What are the health benefits? Chicken thighs vs. Chicken breasts Dark meat chicken contains vitamin K2 (menaquinone), a naturally occurring, fat-soluble vitamin that has antiangiogenic properties. What does that mean? A lot. Vitamin K2 helps suppress the growth of new blood vessels needed by cancerous tumors to grow and metastasize. Eating K2 rich foods can significantly reduce your chances of dying of heart disease. It also interferes with the body’s ability to make cholesterol and can prevent hardening of the arteries. Kombu Kombu is a type of thick, flat seaweed commonly used in Asian cooking. You can find it in your local Asian markets or on Amazon, dried and packaged in large strips. It has a wonderful umami flavor and is often used in Dashi broth for ramen bowls. It is a nutritional powerhouse; high in iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. The amino acids in kombu also help your body to break down and digest food easier. Turmeric Tumeric has an active ingredient, curcumin, which has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Rich in phytonutrients, turmeric protects the body by neutralizing free radicals and preventing cell damage. Diets rich in plant-based foods with lots of phytonutrients are associated with the prevention of conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Can you see why I like this soup so much??? How to Make Immune Boosting Chicken Noodle Soup Prepare the Stock Cut carrots, celery and onion into large chunks. These veggies are to add depth and flavor to our stock. Place the chicken thighs in a large stockpot. Add the carrots, celery, onion, bay leaf and kombu. Cover with about 10 cups of water. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. As the chicken simmers, occasionally skim off the foam. Prep Veggies and chicken While the stock is simmering, peel and slice the carrots, slice the celery, and chop the onion. Once the chicken is cooked through, pull it out and let cool enough that you can shred the chicken and set aside. Scoop out the carrots, celery, onion, kombu and bay leaf from the stock. Discard. Prepare the Chicken Soup Add 3-4 more cups of water. Add the carrots, celery, onion, thyme, parsley, turmeric, black pepper, and bouillon. Bring the stock back up to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmer and Serve Add the shredded chicken back in along with the pasta and chopped spinach. Simmer for an additional 6-8 minutes until pasta is cooked. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy! Immune Boosting Chicken Noodle Soup is filled with healthy ingredients, feel good noodles, and tastes awesome! Health Benefits You might also enjoy
Blood Orange Balsamic Dressing
When fresh blood oranges are in season, this Blood Orange Balsamic Dressing is the one you want to make! The bright citrus notes with the rich, aged balsamic is balanced with the sweetness of maple syrup to create a luscious dressing for salads or drizzled over your favorite roasted vegetables. How to Make Blood Orange Balsamic Dressing Prepare all of your ingredients. Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Store Store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks. Blood Oranges Blood oranges are only in season for a short time. If you cannot find them, you can substitute equal parts fresh orange juice and lemon juice (approximately 3 Tbsp. of orange juice and 3 Tbsp. lemon juice). Cinnamon Cinnamon in this dressing gives a fall/winter vibe. If you want a more all-around dressing, omit the cinnamon. Flavorful dressing with fresh squeezed blood oranges, aged balsamic, and a touch of maple syrup! You might also enjoy
Super Easy Creamy Roasted Tomato Sauce
Super easy, FRESH Creamy Roasted Tomato Sauce will elevate your pasta! Make this with just 7 ingredients. It’s a great way to use those beautiful, summer tomatoes! Freeze for later to enjoy that summer flavor all year long. What kind of tomatoes should I use? Use ripe, seasonal tomatoes. Here, I’ve used cherry and San Marzano tomatoes from my garden. You can also use slicing tomatoes like Beefsteak and Brandywines. Slicing tomatoes have more liquid, so you may end up with a slightly thinner sauce. Do I need to peel and seed the tomatoes? Nope. Not at all. This recipe is focused on keeping things simple! Which herbs work best? The beauty of a roasted tomato sauce is it’s versatility. You can use whatever herbs you have on hand. My garden had plenty of thyme, oregano, and rosemary so I cut a small handful and spread them across the baking sheet. If you don’t have any fresh herbs, you can easily substitute dried Italian seasoning. How to Make Creamy Roasted Tomato Sauce Prep the tomatoes Preheat oven to 400° F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Rinse the tomatoes. If you have cherry tomatoes, they can go directly onto the baking sheet. For larger tomatoes, like Campari or plum tomatoes, cut off the stem end and cut into large pieces. I quarter plum tomatoes and cut larger, slicing tomatoes into big chunks. Spread them in a single layer. Add garlic and herbs Cut the top off a small head of garlic and add to the sheet. Spread the fresh herbs across the tomatoes. Drizzle with a generous amount of olive oil, add a few pinches of sea salt and fresh, cracked black pepper. Roast Place in the oven for 30-40 minutes until tomatoes have slumped and their skins are starting to blister. Cool slightly so you can handle them. Remove woody herb stems and discard. Blend veggies Scoop the roasted tomatoes into a pot. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the tomatoes. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth or until the consistency you prefer (You can also use a blender or mash with a potato masher for a chunkier sauce). Warm sauce and add cream Warm gently over medium-low heat. Stir in heavy cream and heat through. Season to taste. Serve over your favorite pasta! If you are staying low-carb, substitute zucchini noodles. Sooo good! CAn I freeze the sauce? The answer is YES! Once your sauce is cooled, transfer to freezer bags or freezer safe containers. I freeze in 2 cup portions that are easy to thaw and add to my favorite dishes. The sauce will keep for 3-4 months. Super easy, FRESH Creamy Roasted Tomato Sauce will elevate your pasta! Just 7 ingredients. Great way to use those beautiful, summer tomatoes! You might also enjoy