Scare Your Flu Symptoms Into Submission Soup

I learned this recipe from a roommate in San Francisco in the early 80s. He swore by this home cure to help him recover from his various indulgences. You will need a blender, a pot, and a stove.

The ingredients are simple:

• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 1 whole head of garlic (all cloves)
• 1 medium size piece of fresh ginger root (about the size of two fingers)
• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder (or, to taste)

And the instructions are also simple:

• Pour cold broth into blender.
• Break apart the head of garlic (no need to peel the individual cloves) and put cloves into blender.
• Cut ginger into cubes (no need to peel) and put into blender with broth and garlic.
• Add cayenne pepper.
• Blend on high until the garlic and ginger is broken down and then bring broth mixture to a simmering boil.
• Strain broth through a sieve and serve immediately.
• Drink as quickly as possible and as hot as you can bear without scalding yourself.

You should have enough for 2 servings. Drink one serving as soon as symptoms appear. Drink second serving 6-12 hours later. This can be refrigerated for reheating later. Should be good for 2-3 days if refrigerated, however both light and air will cause the broth to oxidize and to lose some of it's efficacy.

Variations include:

• Peeling the garlic and ginger and not straining through a sieve.
• Adding 1-2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice
• Adding a pinch of fresh wasabi (not powder or prepared wasabi)

The premise of this recipe is a combination of the "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" philosophy and the nutraceuticals, antioxidants, and antiviral agents that DO appear in the ingredients.

Attribution: Christopher Enzi is the gentleman who inspired this recipe. He now owns a hair salon on 18th Street in San Francisco, CA. If you go see him, tell him about this recipe and ask him if he still makes it. (...and tell him Neil sent you.)