Sick Days Comfort Foods

The weather has been crazy lately, resulting in many cases of the flu and coughs going around. Yours truly is not spared either.

As such, let's look at some of the comfort foods that will automatically lift the spirits a little during those days when we are feeling under the weather. Hey, just because our noses are dripping like a leaky sink and our taste buds can't tell the difference between cardboard and candy, it doesn't mean we should curl up into a ball and feel sorry for ourselves.


Chicken Soup

Ah, the ultimate comfort food reminiscent of childhood and packed with healthy ingredients and all of mommy's love.

Every family has their own secret recipe for chicken soup. The fact is, chicken is so versatile to work with, it's the ultimate "blank canvas". Anything goes. You just need to boil some chicken carcasses and flavor the broth with any aromatic ingredient you want. Once all the flavors from the chicken bones have infused with the liquid it is boiled in, add the garnish of your choice.

You can add pasta, noodles, cream, potatoes, carrots, corn, peas, mushrooms, herbs, practically anything under the sun. But if you are feeling under the weather, add ginger. The heat from the ginger will act as an instant pick me up and stimulate your appetite. The warm sensation afterwards will slowly spread throughout your body and is very soothing.

Of course if you can't get homemade chicken soup, you can always have a can of Campbells cream of chicken soup as a substitute.


Hot Chocolate

Now who doesn't love hot chocolate, especially topped with marshmallows?

The trick is to add a pinch of cayenne pepper into the hot chocolate. There's something about that spicy undertone that instantly jolts the senses.

Besides, when you're sick, you don't really have much of an appetite. The rich chocolate will work well to keep your stomach filled and give you some energy while you rest.

Chocolate also stimulates the brain to produce serotonin, the feel good happy hormone that will make you feel relaxed and aid the recovery process.

So go ahead and down that cup of hot chocolate then get under the covers for a few hours of blissful sleep.

Tomato Soup

Tomatoes are full of vitamin C so it's natural that they are the perfect weapon to combat the common cold. The tangy sour taste will also help to stimulate your appetite

Tomatoes also contain lycopene which acts as an antioxidant and helps boost the immune system.

To prepare, cook tomatoes (preferably fresh but you can use canned tomatoes as well) in any broth of your choice with a mirepoix of carrots, celery and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Once vegetables are soft, puree till smooth and stir in cream. Serve hot.

Honey Lemon Tea

Honey and lemon have been known for centuries to help fight the common cold.

In ancient Egypt, honey was used to cure all kinds of maladies, event to vicious infections. Lemon, high in vitamin C and antioxidants will help boost the immune system.

Have a big tumbler of this next to your bed and take frequent sips to keep yourself hydrated. You can also add ginger juice, especially for warm honey lemon tea as this will help sooth raw and aching throats.

Fruity Smoothies

Smoothies are tasty and very easy to prepare.Blend any types of fruits that are high in vitamin C and antioxidants to create a rich and nutritious smoothie. Add yogurt to replenish the good bacteria in the gut.

The best fruits for smoothies include banana, apples, oranges, raspberries, passion fruit,  pineapple, strawberries and blueberry. Top up your smoothies with nuts like walnuts and almonds for added crunch.

So hopefully these comfort foods will help brighten the days when you feel so terrible that you just want to hide under your covers. Just bear in mind that it will pass, as long as you take care of yourself, get plenty of rest and keep yourself hydrated.

I will be back soon to discover and share with you more delicious food from my beloved paradise island of Penang.