Photo credit: recipes.saladmaster.com
Every day, we become more and more aware of the connection between food and well-being. And nowhere is this link more clearly explored and articulated than in ancient Chinese medicine.
In my search to find an acupuncturist and tap into this holistic wisdom, I was fortunate to find Dr. Rafael Perez (MS, Oriental Medicine and BA, Health Science) who runs a very special clinic steps away from my building in Miami (130 NE 2nd Avenue, Suite 6 – 786-383-4325 -http://www.livingroomcommunityacupuncture.com/).
While discussing the power of food to impact our health, Dr. Perez shared how to use a few of nature’s simple – yet most powerful – ingredients to fend off the common cold.
Drinking a warm, comforting soup that combines ginger, scallion and prepared soybean can help induce sweating and release the exterior, thus stomping out the cold before it takes hold of the body.
So, if you feel like you’re getting a cold, or simply need a comforting meal, release the power of these ingredients by making this Miso Soup.
MAKE YOUR OWN RECIPE
Using the recipe below as background on technique, how might you make your own recipe? How about you:
Add protein?
- Chicken, pork, beef, shellfish and even garbanzo beans would work
Incorporate more vegetables?
- Zucchini, broccoli, spinach, carrots and most other veggies would add color, texture and added nutritional value
Diversify flavors?
- For a Thai take, add coconut milk, curry paste and lemongrass
- For an extra spicy soup, add fresh chiles
Miso Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp – Ginger, minced
- 2 Tbsp – Garlic, minced
- 12 cups – Water
- ½ cup – Kombu (dried kelp)
- 1 ½ cups – Miso
- 1 cup – Fresh shitake (or ½ cup dried)
- 1 lb – Tofu, diced
- 1 bunch – Scallions, sliced into ¼ inch pieces
Method:
1. In a large pot, add water, ginger, garlic and kombu. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 30 min. Strain, reserve the liquid and pour back into the pot
2. Whisk the miso into the liquid
3. Add shitake, simmer for 15 min.
4. Add tofu, simmer for 5 min.
5. Remove from the heat and stir in scallions just before serving
*This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek medical advice for any questions regarding a medical condition.
