Coming down with a cold? Try this Atomic Soup

I started to feel a bit unwell yesterday evening so I resolved to make up a batch of the nuclear weapon I unleash upon the threat of a cold. It’s based on recommendations of a couple of my friends. I’d like to call it Dragon’s Breath Soup, but that name’s already taken so I’ll call it Atomic Soup. You can make a chicken or vegetarian version.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A big saucepan, preferably a casserole – we’re making a load of this soup ok?
• Water – about half-fill your pot with it
• Chicken (or vegetable) stock or stock cubes
• Root vegetables – I’ll leave this to your taste, but any of: celery, celeriac, carrots, chop into small pieces
• Ginger, shavings if you can (I use a vegetable peeler for this)
• Garlic, chopped
• Fresh chillies, finely shopped
• Juice of one lemon
• Optional: one whole cooked chicken (I cheat and get a cooked chicken from the local supermarket), in pieces (separate the breast meat, you’ll want to eat that)
• For extra credit (for the flavour): fresh coriander (cilantro) and thai basil, chopped

Making it’s easy, start with the water, then the stock or stock cubes, then other ingredients, in the order they’re listed. Let it simmer for an hour or so, stir occasionally.

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