THE MEDICINAL CHEF’S FLU FIGHTER SOUP

Warming up with a bowl of soup is a comforting, healthy treat that’s even more rewarding when it’s homemade. Homemade soups are essential when it comes to beating a cold and flu, as along with fresh healthy ingredients, steam is a real benefit – sipping hot soup and breathing in the steam helps clear up congestion too.

‘This one-pot wonder is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to dealing with colds and flu,’ says Dale Pinnock, aka The Medicinal Chef. Filled with immunity-boosting chillies and vitamin A rich sweet potatoes, this recipe is perfect for the colder months and so easy to make, that is why we love his recipes.

INGREDIENTS

Serves 4

•  1 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 green chilli, finely chopped
•  4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
•  5cm piece fresh root ginger, finely chopped
•  2 tablespoons olive oil
•  2 medium sweet potatoes, diced, skins left on
•  1 punnet shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 2 handfuls goji berries
• vegetable stock, to cover
• salt and black pepper

METHOD

• Put the onion, chilli, garlic and ginger in a large saucepan with the olive oil. Cook over a medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, until the onion softens.
• Add the sweet potatoes and mushrooms to the pan along with the goji berries. Stir well, then add enough vegetable stock to cover all the ingredients. Simmer well for 10–15 minutes, until the potato is soft.
• Season with salt and pepper. Carefully add the soup to a jug blender in batches, and blend into a smooth, vivid orange, spicy soup.