What are some good comfort foods for people with a cold or the flu?
I am trying to find some good (yet healthy) meals that will help comfort my household while illness is passing through. I know Chicken Noodle Soup is a staple, but I know that even sick people don't want to eat the same thing everyday. I am also trying to find things that are make ahead in case I get sick as well. Any help and ideas will be appreciated.
Posted by kcqueenm
Balsamic chicken and Dumplings
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1 16.9-oz. pkg. frozen potato-and-onion-filled pierogi (potato dumplings)
12 oz. green and/or wax beans, trimmed (3 cups)
1 1 ½ lb. chicken tenders
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary (optional)
Directions
Cook pierogi and beans in boiling water according to package directions. Drain pierogi and beans; divide among serving plates.
Meanwhile, slice chicken into 1/2-inch thick medallions. Gently flatten chicken slices by hand to 1/4-inch thickness; lightly sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken. Cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until no pink remains. Transfer to serving plates with pierogi and beans.
Drain fat from skillet. Add balsamic vinegar to hot skillet. Cook, uncovered, 1 minute or until reduced by half. Drizzle over chicken, pierogi, and beans. Sprinkle with chopped rosemary.
4 servings
Serving Suggestions
Pineapple mango salad
Posted by ChristineB
Chicken soup actually helps to get better faster...try making it homemade for the best benefits. Why not a beef soup also...or stew? My kids always seem to gravitate to saltier things like even Chinese Food just because while one is sick the taste buds seem to be not working well. Nothing greasy,cheesy or creamy because if they have coughs it will make them worse.
Posted by Gemini man
Of course chicken noodle is a commonly known staple, but perhaps other chicken noodle variations would make it more interesting. Being asian, a rice porridge made with more than the usual amount of water is common. Add to that a pickled plum called umeboshi is used. Perhaps you might search for other porridges more to your liking would be good. As with soup, it's the warmth and easy digestion that makes it comforting.
As a thought, I searched for asian porridges, sometimes called congee, for other ideas. Perhaps these might interest you.
http://www.homemade-chinese-soups.com/chicken-porridge.html
If you're more adventurous, perhaps you might handle fish versions.
http://www.homemade-chinese-soups.com/fish-porridge.html
As a whole, perhaps search for other porridge variants you might be interested in. Good luck and get well soon. Like oatmeal, other porridges make interesting meals even when you're not sick. It's also easy on digestion as one ages, too.
Posted by Photo Student
Light soups are great. You can use a variety of combinations of ingredients. Like lemon chicken soup, fresh grated ginger and a little garlic, add diced tomatoes and green peppers. If you finely chop your veggies or even grate them, it seems easier and more likely that they can eat them. Just depends on how sick they are. Imagine brand has a great variety of healthy broths to use as a base for your soups. I would use very lean meat like skinless chicken pieces or very lean beef so their isn't too much fat in the soup. I would cut back on stronger ingredients like garlic, etc. Not sure of your family's tastes so here is a variety. Hope this helps.
Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
Ingredients
1 (46 ounce) can chicken broth
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup (optional)
1 cup uncooked rice
2 cups diced cooked chicken
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon rind (optional)
Directions
1In a 5-quart Dutch oven, combine chicken broth and cream of chicken soup, mixing until well blended.
2Stir in rice, chicken, lemon juice and rind.
3Bring mixture to a boil.
4Reduce heat.
5Cover; simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
http://www.recipezaar.com/Greek-Lemon-Chicken-Soup-139902
Ginger Chicken Soup
http://www.lanierbb.com/recipes/data/ck22.html
Light Vegetable
http://www.cooksrecipes.com/soup/light_vegetable_soup_recipe.html
Bacon Leek and Tomato
http://www.molliestones.com/food/recipeView.php?recID=1774
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/speedy-soup-recipe2/index.html
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Beefy-Lentil-Vegetable-Soup/Detail.aspx
Posted by Emu
When I am sick I always make a bowl of potato soup. Not the creamy canned kind. My own recipe you can alter this recipe for however many servings you want...just keep the ratio the same.
POTATO SOUP
Slice a medium size potato in 1/4" slices. Cover with water in a saucepan and boil for about 10 minutes. Drain the water off. Add:
1 cup milk
2 Tbs. butter
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
salt to taste
Heat until milk is eating temperature. Serve with saltine crackers.
For breakfast I always like a hot cooked cereal with toast and hot tea sweetened with honey. Oatmeal and cream of wheat are my favorites.
A "make ahead" idea. Make up some different kinds of biscotti...they go great with hot tea and hot chocolate which always make you feel better when you are sick. Put some ginger in, that helps settle the stomach. Add raisins, and other dried fruits.
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