52 Clove Garlic Soup: Great for Fast Recovery Against Cold and Flu

As the leaves turn and the air chills, cold and flu season sneaks upon us, bringing coughs, sniffles, and aches.  This year, I have a natural remedy for you: this 52 Clove Garlic Soup. It helps your body's recover speedily during pesky cold and virus season.

Why 52 Cloves of Garlic?

Garlic, the star of our soup, has been revered for centuries for its health benefits, including its ability to boost the immune system and its anti-viral properties. With 52 cloves, this soup packs a potent punch against pathogens, helping to ease cold and flu symptoms and speed up recovery.

The Power-Packed Ingredients

• Garlic: The cornerstone of our recipe, garlic's antiviral and immune-boosting properties are unparalleled.
• Onions: Rich in antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds, onions complement garlic's infection-fighting capabilities.
• Thyme: Rich in vitamins C and A, thyme supports the immune system, helping your body fend off and recover from infections more effectively.
• Ginger: Known for its anti-inflammatory effects, ginger soothes sore throats and reduces nausea.
• Lemongrass: Adds a refreshing twist while supporting digestion and fever relief.
• Vegetable Broth: Forms the nourishing base of our soup, ensuring you stay hydrated.
• Coconut Milk: Gives the soup a creamy texture without dairy, adding beneficial fats and vitamins.
• Lemon: A burst of vitamin C to support your immune system and add a bright, citrusy flavor.

The infographic below shows the nutritional value of the ingredients in this recipe. I like to use the ANDI Guide's scores to figure out how nutritious foods are. The ANDI scores take into account many small nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants, to give a comprehensive view of a food's health benefits. 

Ingredients:

• 26 cloves of garlic (about 2 heads), unpeeled
• 2 large onions, thinly slice
• 2 tablespoons of water
• 1.5 tsp of fresh or .5 tsp dried, Thyme
• .5 cup fresh ginger, peeled and minced
• .5 tsp cayenne pepper
• .5 tsp lemongrass paste
• 26 cloves of Garlic (about 2 heads), peeled
• 4 cups (32 oz) of vegetable broth
• 1 can (13.5 oz) of coconut milk
• Pepper to taste
• Lemon wedge to tast
• Fresh herbs like thyme for garnish

*This recipe was inspired by Vampire Slayer 52 Clove Garlic Soup by Emily.  The recipe was updated to with no salt, without salt or salt-free; with no oil, without oil or oil-free.

Instructions:

1. Roast the unpeeled Garlic: Heat Oven to 350 degrees F.  Place 26 unpeeled garlic cloves in a small baking dish.  Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes, until garlic cloves are golden brown.  When the garlic cloves have roasted, remove from oven, let cool and remove peels from cloves.

2. While the Garlic cloves are Roasting: Chop the onions, peel and mince the ginger, peel 26 cloves of Garlic.

3. Cook and combine: Put 2 tbsp of water in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add onions, thyme, ginger, cayenne pepper and cook approximately 5-10 minutes until onions are translucent. Next add lemongrass paste, roasted garlic cloves and raw garlic cloves.  Then add vegetable broth.  Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

4. Blend:  Remove the pot from the heat.  Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth or place the Soup in blender and blend until smooth.  Place the puree soup back into saucepan. Return the pot to the stove, add the coconut milk, and gently heat through without boiling.

5. Season and Serve: Add the lemon juice, then taste and adjust the flavors as necessary. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs

Embrace the Healing Power

This 52 Clove Garlic Soup is more than just a meal; it's a soothing, healing experience. The combination of garlic, onions, ginger, and lemongrass creates a symphony of flavors that not only warms the body but also supports its healing process. Whether you're feeling under the weather or simply seeking a comforting, health-boosting dish, this soup is sure to deliver.

Remember, food is not just sustenance; it's medicine. In the season of sniffles and coughs, let this dairy-free, salt-free, and oil-free Garlic Soup be your go-to remedy. Here's to a healthier, happier you!