Flu Fighter Soup by The Medicinal Chef

A one-pot wonder and a powerhouse when dealing with colds and flu.  We use it every single year since we read the recipe by The Medicinal Chef, Dale Pinnock.  This robust and full bodied soup is so delicious that it actually lifts our spirits when we're a little bit under the weather.  It works exceptionally well with Opus extra virgin olive oil and its abundance of healthy polyphenols.  

INGREDIENTS

1 red onion, finely chopped

1 green (or red for less spiciness) chilli, finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

5cm piece fresh root ginger, finely chopped

2 tablespoons Opus extra virgin olive oil

2 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed and diced (skins left on)

1 punnet shiitake mushrooms, roughly 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 heat for about 5 minutes (or a couple of minutes more), 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.

Allow the soup to cool slightly, then blend the soup to a smooth consistency either in a jug blender in batches or with an immersion blender in the saucepan.

Serve warm in a bowl, sprinkled with a couple of goji berries and drizzled with Opus extra virgin olive oil.

HEALTH NOTES

• Extra virgin olive oil is the most evidence-based culinary oil in the world for health.  Opus is a rare quality olive oil that is high in polyphenols, Omega 3's and 9's, Vitamin E and unsaturated fats.
• Sweet potatoes contain a specific type of protein which may stimulate the production of white blood cells, possibly helping with immunity.
• Garlic is helpful against blood clots, strokes and heart attacks, but also against colds and flus.
• Ginger is also a powerful natural anti-inflammatory.
• Shitake mushrooms, according to WebMD, are a good source of key minerals and vitamins, such as copper (healthy blood vessels and immune support), selenium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6 etc.
• Goji berries are high in Vitamins C and A which support immune function.  Some studies suggest they improve mood and reduce stress.