Chicken soup for the immune system

By Wendell Fowler

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A tasty, Happy Holiday gift from my heart to your tummy. Chilled to the bone? Got the flu or a wicked cold? [ad#single-post]Prepare this immune system-nurturing soup the day before. Why? If you refrigerate the golden elixir overnight while you sleep, the flavor will deepen, plus you’ll be able to remove the yellow islands of heart-congesting saturated fat suspended at the surface. Garlic is antiviral and antibacterial. The anti-inflammatory ginger and hot peppers act as an expectorant as well as a decongestant draining your swollen sinus cavity and clear your lungs. The noble shiitake, for centuries, revered for its immune stimulating virtues, will power-up your family’s immunity. Chicken soup freezes beautifully, so make a double batch and store the leftovers for future use. Like when you get the flu. 3-pound free-range or organic chicken (remove gibs) ½ gallon Pacific chicken or vegetable stock 2 cups dry white wine 1 bay leaf 1 inch of fresh ginger minced finely. Peal first. 1/8 tsp. poultry seasoning 1 tbs. Better than Bouillon Chicken Base (Found at all major grocers) 2 carrots, diced 1 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 pound of washed, trimmed and slivered shiitake (discard the stem) 2 ribs of celery, chopped 1 large onion, chopped Sea salt and ground pepper 1 pinch or more of cayenne powder or 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped 1 tbs. chopped raw garlic 1 leek, washed, trimmed, and cut into julienne strips Put water, wine, bay leaf, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper into a large pot and place on high heat. Remove the yellow globules of fat from inside the chicken cavity and rinse the bird well, inside and out. Place the chicken in the pot and when the water comes to a boil, reduce fire to medium. Wash your hands. Add the carrots, celery, shiitake and onion. Turn the heat down to low. Simmer the stock for one hour. Remove the bird and let cool until you can begin pulling the meat small pieces from the bone. Add to the stock. Discard the skin and bones, but do not even think about sharing it, or the gibs, with the dog or cat. Animals get salmonella and heart disease, too. Shut off fire and add the chopped leeks, parsley and raw garlic. Serve promptly. Cooking destroys the antiviral properties of garlic. Add more hot peppers to relieve your stuffy sinuses. Boil the giblets and add them to the family pet’s dinner. Cook them first, however. Bon appetit!

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