Get Well Recipes: Ideal Meals for Cold and Flu Season

The winter falls near the middle of flu season. And with it being cold and wet outside, I tend to be more vulnerable to colds and other respiratory infections this time of year. At the onset of congestion, I often turn to one of my tried and true "cold resistant" recipes. These dishes are helpful in building my immune system, clearing congestion and just giving me that warm feeling all over.

Good Old Chicken Soup

Both my mother and grandmother were adamant that chicken soup would shorten the length and severity of a cold. Whether this is actually true or not, I have found chicken soup to be of aid to me in helping to sooth body aches and clearing both head and chest congestion. Here is a recipe that I often use:

Makes about eight bowls of soup.

Ingredients:
4 cups of chicken broth
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 cup of chopped onions (green)
1 cup of stewed tomatoes
2 cups of cooked chicken cubes (skinless and boneless)
2 small or 1 large bag of mixed soup vegetables
12 oz. package of noodles, rice or other pasta

Preparation:

Boil water and chicken broth on high in crockpot.

Add remainder of ingredients.

Stir well.

Cook for about 4 hours checking periodically.

Add water as needed.

Add noodles the last 1/2 hour of cooking.

Serve with garlic bread sticks and a salad for a delicious and healthy meal.

Spicy Mixed Greens

Greens are a favorite southern dish. They are also recognized as being a good source of nutrients including vitamin C. Add some spice to this dish, and you have a wonderful healing dish for the cold and flu season.

Serves 4 to 6.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 to 2 pounds of washed/cleaned mixed greens (collard, mustard and turnip)
1 can of chicken broth
1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
1 sliced/diced small red onion
1 sliced/diced small white onion
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
3 sliced jalapeno peppers
1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
8 slices of turkey bacon (or other meat) - optional
salt/pepper to taste

Preparation:

Bring 1 1/2 quarts of water to a boil.

Add chicken broth, onions and garlic to water.

Lower to simmer.

Add greens slowly and stir.

Cover and allow to cook for about 15 minutes.

Add meat, sliced peppers, pepper flakes, vinegar and other seasonings.

Cook for one hour stirring periodically.

Serve with hot chicken wings, sliced tomatoes and corn bread muffins for a hearty meal. For more heat, top with a spicy salsa or hot sauce.

Hot & Spicy Spaghetti and Meatballs

Another favorite of mine in the cold days is that of spaghetti. I make my standard recipe except with lots of kick. This is done with large amounts of garlic and spices such as chili powder, hot sauce and red pepper flakes.

Serves 4 to 6.

Ingredients:
1 bag of frozen turkey meatballs
1 small package of spaghetti
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1 can of stewed tomatoes
1 small green pepper
1 small red pepper
1 small white onion
1 tablespoon of chili powder
1 tablespoon of hot sauce
1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon of basil
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1/4 cup of olive oil

Preparation:

Prepare spaghetti according to package directions. Set aside.

Place meatballs in large sauce pan with 1/2 cup of water and 1/4 cup of olive oil.

Let heat turning meatballs often.

Add green peppers and onions.

Add spaghetti sauce and stewed tomatoes.

Stir.

Reduce heat.

Add remainder of ingredients.

Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Serve with garlic bread and a spinach salad.