Flu-Fighting Sweet and Spicy Soup

Do you all get flu shots each year? I intended to, but I just haven’t gotten around to it. The things is — it’s never really on my mind. But I feel like every day I come into contact with someone who is sick, and to those people I say stay far away from me!

For those people who are sick, there's nothing better than hot soup, am I right? This soup is even more special because it’s made using ingredients known to fight off flu and colds.

• Carrots and sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, which your body uses to ward off respiratory infections.
• Kale contains high levels of Vitamin C and folate, known immune boosters.
• Ginger will relieve sore throats and gastrointestinal issues and kill rhinoviruses.
• Garlic has antimicrobial, antiviral and antibiotic properties.
• Jalapenos can release pain peptides that can help eliminate migraines.
• Turmeric eases inflammation.

Flu-Fighting Sweet and Spicy Soup
Makes 5 servings
Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 2 jalapeños, chopped
• 3 sweet potatoes, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons ginger, minced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk
• 1/2 cup peanuts, chopped
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken, cooked and shredded
• 2 cups kale, chopped with stems removed
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup peanut butter

Directions

1. Heat large soup pot to medium heat with olive oil; add carrots, onion, red pepper, and jalapeños. Sauté until soft, or about 4 minutes.
2. Add sweet potatoes, garlic, and ginger, and sauté an additional 2 minutes,
3. Add chicken broth, coconut milk, peanuts, chili powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer until sweet potatoes are fork tender, or about 12 minutes.
4. Add chicken, kale, cilantro, and peanut butter and continue to simmer and stir until peanut butter melts into broth.
5. Serve with more cilantro and peanuts.