Perhaps our most famous immune boosting recipe, Congee is the TCM version of Chicken Soup. It is easy to make and easy on the digestive system. This nourishing recipe gives the body nutrients it needs to heal, while taking excess energy away from the digestive system so the body can focus on strengthening the immune system.
Congee Recipe
1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
7 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 inch piece of ginger, diced
3 garlic cloves, diced
Sliced green onion
Splash of tamari or soy sauce
Splash of black sesame oil
Black or white sesame seeds
In a large pot, add rice, stock, ginger and garlic. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer for about 1 hour until the congee is thick and creamy. Serve with green onion, tamari, sesame oil and sesame seeds.
Feel free to add your favorite veggies to this. Just add them at the beginning before simmering. My favorites are sweet potato, carrots and celery.
This is a great recipe to make on a rainy day and freeze for cold season. Freeze in single portion containers. To defrost simply heat over low in a pot for 20 minutes. Feel free to double the recipe and make a bunch to have on hand.
My next favorite recipe is even easier and uses items most of us already have on hand. This recipe is incredibly helpful for stubborn coughs with phlegm and only has 3 ingredients.
Steamed Pear for Cough
1 pear
3 slices of fresh ginger
1 tablespoon of honey
Place pear and ginger in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam until very tender, about 15 minutes. Serve pear in a bowl and top with honey and eat while still warm. This recipe is especially great for treating a lingering cough after a cold and it tastes great too!
