Ancient Chinese Secret Soup a/k/a Healing Soup

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Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 8
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 113.7
  • Total Fat: 3.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 47.5 mg
  • Sodium: 225.1 mg
  • Total Carbs: 7.5 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1.4 g
  • Protein: 14.9 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Ancient Chinese Secret Soup a/k/a Healing Soup calories by ingredient


Introduction

My best friend's Chinese-American Mom made this whenever one of her six kids fell sick so we call this "Ancient Chinese Secret Soup." It has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and the spice really opens up your sinuses when you're stuffed up. I think it's important that your stock is high quality (mine is an unsalted brown chicken stock that has been simmered overnight in a 200 deg oven with bones and de-fatted--very healthy with intense roasted chicken flavor). However, if you have nausea and GI upset, use a light broth and 2 chicken breasts instead and lose the spicy stuff. Ginger is excellent for nausea. My best friend's Chinese-American Mom made this whenever one of her six kids fell sick so we call this "Ancient Chinese Secret Soup." It has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and the spice really opens up your sinuses when you're stuffed up. I think it's important that your stock is high quality (mine is an unsalted brown chicken stock that has been simmered overnight in a 200 deg oven with bones and de-fatted--very healthy with intense roasted chicken flavor). However, if you have nausea and GI upset, use a light broth and 2 chicken breasts instead and lose the spicy stuff. Ginger is excellent for nausea.
Number of Servings: 8

Ingredients

    8 C chicken stock, no salt added or low sodium
    4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
    1 C carrots, diced or cut into thin rounds
    1 C celery, chopped
    1.5" knob of garlic, sliced in medallions (5-6)
    6-12 smashed and minced garlic cloves
    2 C sliced mushrooms
    1.5 C red cabbage, shredded
    sriracha/chili garlic sauce/hot sauce to taste (I use 1 T. chili garlic sauce or more)
    juice of 1 lemon
    1 T. soy sauce (or more, to taste)

    Opt: dash cayenne pepper, 1-2 t chile powder, diced jalapeno peppers, hot paprika, etc.


Tips

Excellent with soba noodles or other grains/pasta but usually I eat this plain as the vegetables make it very filling. Serve it to your patients with extra lemon wedges and hot sauce. I like chopped cilantro sprinkled over it, too.


Directions

Add chicken stock, chicken thighs, carrots, celery, garlic, and ginger to a pot and bring to a boil. Cook thighs until done (10-15 minutes). Take out, shred and return to pot. Add mushrooms, cabbage, hot sauce, lemon and soy sauce and cook 5 min. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Serving Size: Makes 8 2-C servings