Heal Everything Chicken Soup

Whenever someone in our home gets sick I make a big pot of this. Sometimes it's all we’ll eat for days, giving the body a well needed break from digesting food so it can focus all energy on getting better. Since we haven't been to a doctor in years we call it medicine. Pump up the garlic and add some turmeric and more herbs like thyme and oregano for an extra immune boosting kick.

Serves 4

You’ll Need:

For the stock:

1kg chicken drumsticks or 1 whole chicken

1.5 litres water

For the soup:

2 Tbsp tallow or coconut oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed (add more if your palette likes it, potent immune support here!)

1 carrot, peeled and diced

1 stick celery, chopped

2 cups of other veggies to suit your tastes:

cauliflower or broccoli florets, zucchini rounds,

spinach leaves, diced swede or pumpkin etc.

More immune support: a handful of chopped herbs like thyme, oregano, rosemary or whole bay leaves

Method:

1. In a large pot (3-6L) heat the chicken and water until bubbling. Turn the heat down and simmer for 60-90 minutes or until the meat is falling off the bone. You may need to top up the water as it cooks to keep the chicken covered.

2. Remove the chicken from the stock and set aside to cool.

3. Strain the stock and set aside.

4. Warm the oil and sauté the onion, garlic, carrot and celery in the same large pot.

5. Once starting to caramelise add the reserved stock and top up with a little extra water, if needed. Add the remaining slower cooking vegetables (eg. swede or pumpkin) and herbs, then simmer for about 20 minutes or until soft.

6. Meanwhile shred the meat off the cooled chicken, reserving the meat, discarding the bones. Coarsely shred the chicken.

7. Add the quick cooking veggies (eg. zucchini and spinach) and the reserved chicken. Cooking for 2-3 minutes or until the veggies are cooked. Ladle into bowls and serve.

To freeze: Let the soup cool completely and then divide into portions and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. For best results, avoid vegetables like potato, pumpkin and zucchini if you want to freeze.