Sure-to-Cure-What-Ails-You Chicken Soup

According to its creator, Susanne Paynovich, this delicious, no-fuss soup will help keep you healthy in the autumn-winter season: "Whenever I'm coming down with a cold or flu, this nourishing soup has rapidly made me feel better." The formula will help induce a good sweat and chase away “bugs.” We're sharing with you from the pages of Healing Tonics by Jeanine Pollak.

Susi's Sure-to-Cure-What-Ails-You Chicken Soup

Ingredients
2 lbs organic chicken
3 quarts water
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 red or yellow onion, sliced
Chopped fresh zucchini, yams, or vegetables of choice (optional)
Salt or tamari to taste
1 bunch fresh spinach, chard, kale, bok choy, or collard greens, washed and chopped
1½ tsp tamari
2 Tbsp sweet vermouth (or sherry or marsala)
10 cloves of fresh garlic, chopped*
¼ cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions
1. Wash chicken well. Remove skin and excess fat.
2. In a large soup pot, place the chicken in the water, and bring to a boil. Boil rapidly for 3 minutes.
3. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the celery, carrots, onion, and other optional vegetables, and simmer another 15 minutes. Season lightly with salt or tamari.
5. About 5 minutes before the soup is done, wilt the fresh greens in a sauté pan with ¼ cup of the soup broth, stirring just until greens are lightly cooked, 3 to 5 minutes.
6. Stir in 1½ teaspoons tamari and sweet vermouth.
7. Strain out the excess liquid from the greens, and pour it back into the soup.
8. Ladle soup into bowls. Top each bowl with a hearty serving of greens, a sprinkle of chopped fresh garlic, and Parmesan cheese.

*The medicinal properties of the garlic are crucial to the effectiveness of this soup. Raw garlic induces a sweat, which seems to burn the “evil” out of your cold. But beware, it will also scare away your friends! The Parmesan cheese makes the soup extra delicious, but leave it out if you have a cold or sore throat.