Flu Busting Broth

Bone broth is wonderful and has a plethora of benefits - but when I was recently under the weather I wanted something soothing and warming but I didn't have anything in the house. My freezer, however is always stocked with bone broth in varying sized glass jars that I make and freeze ready to use in all my meals. With a few store cupboard ingredients I was able put together the most soothing and immune supporting soup.

Bone broths are full of minerals and amino acids that your body can absorb with no effort in helping to build yourself up again. I added dried shiitake mushrooms to this which are known for their immune modulating effect supporting any seasonal cold or flu. Sliced garlic and ginger both have anti inflammatory effects and support healing - to add to this garlic is also anti bacterial helping to combat any bacterial infection. Boiling all these ingredients infuses their favour into the broth lifting the taste and imparting their benefits into the liquid. Once boiled add some miso to it - it adds a depth of flavour. Miso is a fermented food full of probiotics and helps to support the immune system too. Make sure you let the broth cool down slightly before adding the miso as you don't want to kill all the immune supporting bacteria which are sensitive to heat.

Recipe

• 1 litter of bone broth

• 3-4 dried shiitake mushrooms sliced thinly

• 1 thumb sized piece of ginger sliced into thin strips

• 4 garlic cloves chopped finely

• 1 teaspoon miso paste

Bring the broth to a simmer with the mushrooms, garlic and ginger for 10 minutes. You can either pour this straight into a mug or strain it if you prefer. Once cooled slightly add the miso. Mix.

I had a little coriander in the fridge that I added for some colour.