Simple Recipes for Fall Immunity

Easy Tom Kha Broth

This is a perfect, warming broth for fall weather. I enjoy it most as an accompaniment to fresh salad rolls, or when I'm simply not in the mood for a full meal.Medicinally, use this broth if you feel the onset of a cold coming on. If you're experiencing chills, an increased sensitivity to cold weather, an aching neck/occiput - this is a perfect sipping broth! The chicken broth and coconut cream strengthen the qi of the spleen and heart. The ginger and chili flakes are warming herbs which help drive out cold and "release the exterior." The recipe below calls for chicken stock. Here's a vegan version of Tom Kha if that works better for you.Ingredients

• 1 quart chicken stock (homemade is best but you can use premade if you don't have any on hand or simply don't have the time. Rosemont Market sells chicken broth that they've made in-house; you can find it in the freezer section)
• 7 ounces creamed coconut or coconut cream (I get coconut cream from Trader Joe's)
• 1/4 teaspoon dried chili flakes
• 2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• juice of 2 limes (sometimes I use 3, depending on how sour I want it to taste)
• fish sauce to taste
• cilantro to garnish

InstructionsPut all the ingredients in a pot and simmer for 10-15 minutes until piping hot. Add fish sauce (go slowly - it's salty!) to taste. Add some cilantro. Enjoy!Note: If you're interested in making a more traditional Tom Kha, see this recipe, which includes the immune-boosting Japanese mushrooms. And read this, if you want to know more about the healing benefits of chicken soup.

Sweetened, Baked Pears 

According to Traditional Chinese medicine, Fall is the season of 'dryness'. It's also the season of runny noses and coughs! We all know from experience that we're more susceptible to colds during this season. The "dampness" of late summer is replaced by cooler weather, and our nose, throat and lungs tend to dry out, making us more susceptible to viruses. (It's important to recognize that the airway epithelium is the first line of defense against airborne pathogens, so when our nose and throat dry out, we're not as protected from viruses and bacteria.)So keep 'em moist, folks!  (You can quote me on that.)Pears are supportive of the Lungs; their cooling and moistening nature can help the lungs, nose, and throat. They can also eliminate heat and excess mucus. Walnuts also support the Lung and have a strong action against phlegm.If you decide to use this dish medicinally, consume baked pears once a day, for at least 4 days in a row.Ingredients4 unpeeled pears2 tbsp raw honey1/3 cup walnuts1/2 tsp cinnamon1/8 tsp nutmeg1 tsp grated lemon peel1/4 cup apple juicecovered casserole dishpreheat oven to 350 degreesInstructions1. Grind walnuts in a food processor or spice mill until they are powdered.2. Wash pears. Halve the pears and scoop out seeds and pith, leaving an indentation for the dry ingredients.3. Mix walnut powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon peel. Add this to the scooped out pears. Add a bit of honey to each pear (drip honey over the dried ingredients).4. Pour apple juice in the bottom of the casserole dish. Cover.5. Bake, covered, for about 35-40 minutes or until soft. Enjoy!