Foodie Friday: Chicken Soup Ain’t Just For The Soul

Homemade chicken soup for the common cold

During the winter months, my family tends to get slammed with one cold after another.  As we all know, there are no cures for the common cold, but there are non-medicinal remedies that can work wonders. As moms and grandmas have known for centuries, one of the best ways to deal with a cold is a steaming hot bowl of chicken soup. Or, in the case of serving soup to a toddler, a lukewarm sippy cup of chicken soup broth. When I’m sick, as I am this week, I would still much rather spend a few minutes prepping my own soup than pull out the canned stuff. There is something so healing about homemade soup, even when you’re the sick one who has to make it!

According to the Mayo Clinic, chicken soup for the common cold it’s not just an old wives’ tale. Scientists have verified the medical benefits to slurping down chicken soup during cold and flu season. The ingredients in chicken soup can serve two really beneficial purposes for combating a cold; it can act as an anti-inflammatory which can help sooth sore throats and it can speed up the movement of mucus which can help relieve congestion.

Some people are intimated by the thought of making homemade chicken soup or may believe that it takes too long to prepare. Not true! I have found a very quick and easy recipe from Martha Stewart that I love because it’s so easy and quick.  The original recipe is very good, but lacking a bit in flavor. Here is the original version of the recipe along with some of my minor tweaking: (continues…)