Whole bunches of cilantro, watercress and parsley. Chopped up and added last minute to a bowl of hot noodle soup--preferably home made but can be bought---and then doused in lots of fresh lemon juice. For bonus I add chili powder and a dash of sesame oil. That is my go-to cold cure!
Dressed up oatmeal. And if you're too lazy too cook it on the stove, make it muesli style by throwing rolled oats and milk (I use vanilla flavored almond milk) some raisins and pecans in a container and let sit for a few hours or overnight until the liquid is absorbed. When I'm ready to eat, I often add in some chopped fresh fruit and drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
For upper respiratory things (and chest congestion things) I love hot and sour soup. The heat breaks up the gunk, and the hot, spicy clears out the sinuses.
For tummy troubles, I'm a fan of the "burn it out" philosophy. I usually go for chile, the hotter the better. Or chile/cheese fries, with raw onion, for a double dose of hot and grease. For some reason, for me, it works.
Thanks Latoscana. I forgot the mac and cheese. Guys are such big babies when sick and want the 'box dinner stuff'. I'll need to pick some of that up tomorrow when he's off soup and fruit.
If I'm cooking for myself I'll usually make a tomato soup, as that rarely requires a trip out of the house. I always have onions and canned tomatoes on hand. If I'm lucky I'll be able to make croutons for it, too.
rice soup/jook. it's easy to make and really comforting. boil a bit of rice (cooked or uncooked) in a generous amount of stock until the rice starts to fall apart. it can be as thin or as thick as you like. garnish with fresh ginger, green onions, soy sauce, white pepper. you can also use fish sauce, chilies (fresh or in sauce form), sesame oil, veggies (spinach, broccoli, carrots), an egg (fried or poached in the soup itself). the add-ins are endless.
I'm also a fan of soups - warm, salty liquid (aka broth) helps with the edema (water retention/swelling) of the throat that happens when your throat is sore. The salt helps draw some of the excess water out, helping the swelling to go down and the liquid helps rehydrate the mucous membranes. Also, broth is easier to swallow than solid foods. If I'm feeling nauseated, I often go for a soft boiled egg and toast cut into thin strips that I dunk into the yolk. This is always what I was given as a child when I was sick, so it's what I associate with the act of getting better! It's plain, yet delicious, and great if you aren't feeling up to eating much.
If it's a cold. Usually Pho soup...or a quick Coconut chicken soup.
Easy Version:
1/2 tsp of red thai curry paste.
Ground chicken or cubed Tofu.
Lime Zest.
Coconut Milk
Chicken stock.
Cook the chicken with the curry paste lime zest. Add coconut milk, simmer..add chicken stock simmer.
Add more lime zest and juice.
(Additions: Sub tofu for the chicken, add mushrooms, carrots)
If it's the flu: Basic beef broth and toast, fruit. Chicken soup and matzo ball soup.
Good green tea and honey lemon. Fruit juices.
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For tummy troubles, I'm a fan of the "burn it out" philosophy. I usually go for chile, the hotter the better. Or chile/cheese fries, with raw onion, for a double dose of hot and grease. For some reason, for me, it works.
Easy Version:
1/2 tsp of red thai curry paste.
Ground chicken or cubed Tofu.
Lime Zest.
Coconut Milk
Chicken stock.
Cook the chicken with the curry paste lime zest. Add coconut milk, simmer..add chicken stock simmer.
Add more lime zest and juice.
(Additions: Sub tofu for the chicken, add mushrooms, carrots)
If it's the flu: Basic beef broth and toast, fruit. Chicken soup and matzo ball soup.
Good green tea and honey lemon. Fruit juices.