It turns out that the old school advice may be correct. Recent medical studies have suggested that chicken soup is, in fact, really good for you. One study published in the medical journal Chest suggested that chicken soup might have anti-inflammatory effects which could possibly ease symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. And it's good food on a cold day! Here's the recipe to Grandma's chicken soup used in the study.
INGREDIENTS: 1 5- to 6-pound stewing hen or baking chicken 1 package of chicken wings 3 large onions 1 large sweet potato 3 parsnips 2 turnips 11 to 12 large carrots 5 to 6 celery stems 1 bunch of parsley Salt and pepper to taste. DIRECTIONS: 1. Clean the chicken, put it in a large pot and cover it with cold water. Bring the water to boil. 2. Add the chicken wings, onions, sweet potato, parsnips, turnips and carrots. Boil about 1 and a half hours. Remove fat from the surface as it accumulates. 3. Add the parsley and celery. Cook the mixture about 45 min. longer. 4. Remove the chicken. The chicken is not further needed for the soup although you can keep it in based on your preferences. (The meat makes excellent chicken parmesan.) 5. Put the vegetables in a food processor until they are chopped fine or pass through a strainer. Both were performed in the present study. 6. Add salt and pepper to taste. (Note: This soup freezes well.)
