Rustic Chicken Soup

Growing up in India, I have had only two types of soups. 1. The famous tomato soup which was had only in restaurants on special occasions such as birthdays & anniversaries and 2. The humble chicken soup which was made at home the minute someone comes down with cold in the household no matter the season. 

It could be a sweltering 100F, my grandma would be making the chicken soup with ginger, garlic & pepper that the instant it went down your throat, I would have literal steam coming out of my ears & nose! 

Year later, I am make it for my daughter on the very first signs of cold and I must say it is very effective. Even otherwise, it is comforting, filling and can be eaten with rice, dosa & chapati.

What you need to make the chicken soup:

1. 1lb Chicken with Bones - this is very important. There is absolutely no point in making the soup with boneless chicken. Usually, I use all the bonier pieces from a whole chicken for the soup.
2. Half a medium red onion - roughly chopped
3. 1 medium ripe tomato - roughly chopped
4. 5 cloves of garlic - crushed
5. 1 inch ginger, roughly crushed 
6. 1 spring of mint
7. 1 sprig of curry leaves (optional)
8. salt to taste
9. 2 tbsp coriander powder
10. 2 tbsp pepper powder

Cooking in a clay cookware is like cooking in any other cookware plus the great earthy flavor it imparts to the dish plus the heath benefits minus the harmful effects from some types of cookware. 

Increase the heat steadily, do not directly crank the heat to higher levels. Once heated up, terracotta cookware can hold the heat inside very well. Maintain the heat at medium high in most cases.

Do not use abrasive spoons or cleaning scrubs.

Let's make the soup -  

1.  Heat about 2 tbsp of oil and add 
2. Sauté onions till they turn golden brown.
3. Add ginger & garlic and sauté for a couple of minutes.
4. Add in the diced tomatoes and let it 

Years later, here am I making this soup whenever my daughter comes home with the "sniffles"

It is warm & hearty and instantly makes your feel better

this was the only soup that was made at home at the 

How many time have you heard of the phrase "Food is medicine".