last week, i came down with the dreaded start-of-winter flu. yuck. the first couple of days were spent curled up in bed in a haze of tissues, movies, night nurse and vicks vaporub. by day three i was sick of being sick, and pulled myself from beneath the duvet to make my tried and tested flu fighter: chicken soup.

what is it about chicken soup that is such a miracle worker? it’s hearty and full of good things, but light on the stomach, it’s warming and soothing, flavoursome and comforting… basically, like a big hug from mum in a bowl.

i always use this recipe for my chicken soup, after watching that adorable aarti sequeira making it on tv once. it beats every other recipe i’ve tried for feel-good factor and flavour. it takes a little while, but once i’m up and out of bed, slowly stirring and adding ingredients to the soup is just as soothing for my soul as the eating part, i find.

lots of tender shredded chicken, creamy corn, dainty little whisps of egg white, and a wholesome broth with spices of ginger and peppercorn to combat the nasty cold. make this and you will feel your sniffles surrender and aches and pains ease.

this soup also works on: rainy days, homesickness and heartbreak.

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eat in front of a cosy, roaring fire:

p.s. like pretty things? we are running a giveaway for readers this week, to win a gorgeous ppq shangri-la palette… details on how to enter here xxx