I love soup. Which is semi-unfortunate, because my husband is a meat-and-potatoes man who will only eat soup in the event that there’s a zombie apocalypse and soup the only thing left after the dog food is all gone.
The few times I’ve served up soup for dinner, he’s gagged, flailed, seized, and fallen out on the floor in a big dramatic display.
So I don’t cook soup very often, and that’s just the cross I bear, people.
But I will plan lunch dates around the soup at Potpourri House (I’m swooning right now, just thinking about it). When I need some comfort food, my mom’s homemade soup is my first choice, and if I can’t get that, I’ll get some Egg Drop Soup from a drive-thru.
And this soup, that I’m about to tell you about? It’s one of my favorite Nourishing Traditions recipes because it reminds me a lot of the soup you get for your first course at Shogun or Yamoto.
And it’s not only tasty, it has LOTS of health-promoting ingredients like enzymes, minerals, and vitamins and whatnot. I’ve already told you about the powerful healing properties of bone broth; this recipe starts there and adds even MORE… more flavor AND more nutrients, and that makes this a “powerful and comforting remedy for colds and sore throat.” Nourishing Traditions, p. 198
So a few days ago, when Annie stayed home from school with the sniffles, I made this for her and we both sipped on it for lunch. And the next day, we were pretty near back to normal. With all this nasty flu running rampant, I figure we need all the immune boosters we can get! So make this soup today!
Start with a quart of chicken stock (recipe here). But if you don’t want to wait for homemade, be SURE to buy broth WITHOUT MSG. Bring your stock to a boil, then skim off any gunk that rises to the top. If you’re using your own homemade broth, you’ve probably done this already.
Add 1 1/2 cups whole coconut milk (I just add a whole can; that’s gotta be pretty close to 1 1/2 cups, right?)
Then add the chile flakes. They add just the right amount of zing.
Then the ginger. I am in LOVE with ginger. I buy it buy the truckload in the winter, because it’s a key player in all my immune-boosting recipes (like this Immune Brew Tea, here). Plus it’s just delicious. I press mine in my garlic press.. FYI. It may not be the most efficient way to do it, but it works.
Simmer all that for about 15 minutes.
Now for the Fish Sauce. I don’t know about you, but I was absolutely repelled by the idea of “Fish Sauce” and left it out the first few times I made this soup. But Nourishing Traditions seems pretty sold on it because it’s rich in iodine which benefits the thyroid. And HEAVEN knows we need to benefit our thyroids…
Heck, you only live once. Remove your soup from the heat and toss in a few drops of Fish Sauce. I did, and surprisingly, I only tasted… salt. But my thyroid feels MUCH better.
They SAY the green onions and cilantro are optional; well, green onions and cilantro are NEVER optional in MY book (unless I’m out of cilantro, ahem…). Ladle your soup into bowls and garnish away; it’s the perfect way to get some extra vegetables into your sickly one.
Sip, and feel soothed and comforted. And get yourself back to school tomorrow.
- 1 Quart Chicken Stock
- 1 1/2 Cups Whole Coconut Milk or Coconut Cream Concentrate
- 1/4 tsp Dried Chile Flakes
- 1 tsp Freshly Grated Ginger
- Juice of 1 Lemon (optional... I've made it both ways and prefer this soup without the lemon)
- Sea Salt or Fish Sauce
- Several Green Onions, Very Finely Chopped (Optional)
- 1 T Finely Chopped Cilantro (Optional)
- Bring the stock to a boil, and skim any foam that rises to the top.
- Add coconut milk, lemon juice, chile flakes, and ginger.
- Simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Season to taste with sea salt or fish sauce.
- Ladle in to bowls and garnish with onions and cilantro.
- For Trim Healthy Mamas, this would be best in an 'S' setting.
*This post may contain affiliate links. If you liked this post PLEASE share it with your friends! ~ Melissa Beene Taylor
I love your wipes. I did come up with a way to keep them fresh in the bag. Snapware has a long flat 4.5 cup container that works great. I found it at both Walmart and my local Krogers. My kids my be 8 & 10 years old now but baby wipes are still a staple in the car, cheer bag, and hubby's Army rucksack.
Well as much as my family loves pizza…we just gotta try it. who knows? It may replace the real thing! It would be a win/win!
With adding the Tea Tree Oil, about how long do these wipes last? Thanks!
I bet someone could make these into a trim healthy mama recipe. Do you have any ideas?
By the way -it just about died laughing at your soup post- it's a mirror image of my husband! Your husband and mine would get along perfectly on the health food thing!
Great article! I'll be sure to share… And your so right on store bought cleaners… Scary how toxic they are!
Yum! This looks really yummy and simple too
The only thing I can find online linking lavender to estrogenic activity is a case study of 3 boys with gynecomastia – is that what you're referring to? Just curious about this because I'm new to the essential oil scene.
I really enjoyed this although I will probably never make my own baby wipes (kids are grown) but this was so entertaining, I couldnt stop reading! Thanks!
I really want to try these. Since you want to find another soap that's not burts bees, have you considered baby castle soap? just curious. Cori
I like the idea… We just use fresh water and paper wipes at home. And on the go, there's nothing better than "Water Wipes". Love em!
are these freezer friendly? Because I love this idea and want to use them but won't have much time to make them after baby is born. can i make and freeze them, then thaw as needed?
I wouldn't have tried this, because I dislike cauliflower, very, very much. I will take your word for it though, that it doesn't taste like cauliflower though, and give it a go. Pizza is my biggest comfort food, and maybe this will be my answer. Thank you for the inspiring post!
if you use 100% Therapuetic Grade Essential Oils (Young Living) you should have zero problems relating to Lavender Essential Oil. The problem is with synthetic lavender oil made for commerical use, not true lavender oil.
Thanks for sharing. I am always looking for ways to be more frugal. Glad you have found a less toxic baby soap, I use Ava Anderson non toxic for my boys baby wash, lotion, and diaper cream. It's great stuff!! If you want to check it out here is a link. <br /><br />Www.avaandersonnontoxic.com/marcimayfield
I've seen recipes for cauliflower pizze crust floating around for several months. I think I'm ready to try it!