San Marcos Record, San Marcos, TX

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  • For many, a mom or grandmother’s famous soup, whether a hearty potato or a simple tomato, is the best treatment for the common cold. With the weather starting to cool down, such recipes are good to have handy. Carl Durocher

    Tomato Soup

  • Garlic is said to be great for fighting diseases.

    Garlic
November 4, 2009

Ill-Fitting Foods: Recipes to consider when feeling under the weather

By Jeff Walker

It seems like everyone is falling under the weather lately.

First it was my wife. Then a good friend, and a friend of a friend. And yesterday my brother fell victim to a 102 fever.

It never fails. The cooler weather always seems to blow in with it all kinds of sniffles and sore throats. And as sick as we may all get from time to time, we’ve still got to eat.

For most people, the first thing mentioned is soup: Something steamy like chicken broth to coat our throats and warm up our insides. Every family has its own idea of edible remedies. My grandmother’s favorite thing to serve to a sick person was a simple potato soup. My mom added a plate of melted cheese toast and a Sprite to whatever soup she cooked, usually chicken noodle.

Just knowing mom’s got such dishes on the way usually makes us feel better. Nothing was more welcome for me than that bowl of chicken soup.

But there are other options. Serve something with plenty of garlic: Garlic is one of the most potent-disease-fighting foods available and the fragrance is strong enough for even the stuffiest nose. Drink green tea, which is packed full of antioxidants, to boost immune function.

Plain yogurt is full of probiotics. Don’t like it by itself? Include it in a smoothie.

If nothing else, it will feel great on that sore throat of your’s.



Potato Soup

• 6 medium potatoes

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2.5 cups milks

• salt and pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons flour

• grated cheese and/or bacon



Peel 4 large or 6 medium size potatoes.  Dice into fairly small pieces, cover with water and boil under tender when pierced with a fork.

If you have any water left after potatoes are done, drain off most of it. You want only a small amount of water remaining, to which you add 2 tablespoons of butter, with the potatoes. 

Add milk (approximately 2.5 cups), salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low until you reach a slow boil.

Thicken the soup:Start with 2 tablespoons of flour in a small bowl or cup.  Whisk in water until you get a thick consistency, but not pasty.  You don't want any lumps. 

Gradually add this mixture to the soup until you reach the consistency you want. Garnish with grated cheese and/or diced crispy bacon.

 

Super-Thick Smoothie

• 3/4 cup plain yogurt

• 1/2 cup blueberries or any frozen fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, mangoes

• 1 whole frozen banana, sliced

• Maple syrup, optional



Add all ingredients to blender and blend till smooth. If chunks of ingredients remain, stir and blend again.



Garlic Soup

• 1.5 quarts water

• 4 potatoes, diced

• 1 carrot, diced

• 2 celery stalks, diced

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 bulbs garlic, peeled

• 1/2 teaspoon thyme

• salt to taste



Bring water to a boil. Add vegetables, garlic and spices. Cook over medium heat for 30 minutes. Puree in blender and serve.

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