Asheville Chefs Share Comforting Recipes for Winter Wellness

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Steaming bowl of congee with toppings in a cozy kitchen setting

News Summary

Asheville chefs are sharing their favorite comforting recipes to help combat the cold and flu season. From nourishing congee to family-inspired chicken soup, these dishes are perfect for warming hearts and bodies during chilly winter months. Prepare to indulge in delicious comfort food that not only delights the taste buds but also provides nourishment and warmth.

Asheville Chefs Share Comforting Recipes to Combat Cold and Flu Season

As winter sets in, the cold and flu season is upon us! Ashevillians know that nothing warms the heart and soul quite like a bowl of comforting soup or porridge. Local chefs are stepping up to the plate, sharing their favorite recipes designed to fortify our bodies and spirits during these chilly months. So, grab your spoons and let’s dive into the delicious world of comfort food!

Congee: A Hug in a Bowl

First on our delightful list is a dish straight from the kitchen of Chef Ray Hui at Gan Shan in West Asheville. He’s whipped together a heavenly bowl of congee, a nourishing rice porridge that’s perfect for warming up when you’re feeling under the weather. The beauty of congee lies in its simplicity; it starts with just white rice and water. But Hui takes it several notches higher, adding a mix of mouthwatering toppings that transform it into a meal full of flavor and comfort.

His signature congee features a rich chicken stock and a hint of fresh ginger to spice things up. Picture roasted chicken thigh, a jammy egg, pickled fennel, fresh scallions, vibrant cilantro, and crunchy peanuts adorning the creamy base of this porridge. Hui has a personal preference for a thicker, oatmeal-like consistency, though he acknowledges that a more soup-like gruel is the traditional route. No matter the style, it’s a cherished comfort food, especially during the cold and flu season.

The chef reveals a handy tip—whether you’re working with freshly cooked or even frozen cooked rice, preparing this dish is a breeze. In fact, with frozen rice, you can have this comforting bowl of goodness ready in under 20 minutes!

The Comfort of Tradition

Next up, we have Chef Suzy Phillips from Gypsy Queen Cuisine, who also believes in the power of family recipes to soothe during illness. Her culinary journey is heartfelt, shaped by her family’s story of fleeing Lebanon during the civil war. Phillips honors her late mother, Salwa Farah, through her cooking, especially with a soul-warming chicken soup that’s as comforting as a hug from a loved one.

Phillips’ chicken soup stands out for its clever use of cinnamon, a spice revered for its antibacterial and antioxidant benefits. She starts by boiling a whole chicken with onion and a generous stick of cinnamon bark, simmering it gently to coax out that deep, rich flavor we crave when we’re feeling sick.

To make her soup extra soothing, she throws in a classic mirepoix mix of onions, carrots, and celery, along with a sprinkle of seven spice, garlic, and cayenne. Phillips often rounds out the soup with fresh herbs like parsley and a mix of colorful vegetables for a nourishing touch.

Want to give it your own twist? No problem! Phillips often adds lemon juice for a zesty kick or tosses in some noodles or rice to transform it into a filling meal. Each bowl of her chicken soup becomes not just a dish, but a celebration of flavor and warmth during those long winter days.

Gather Round for Comfort

As Asheville chefs remind us, food is more than just sustenance; it’s a source of comfort and joy. Whether you opt for a bowl of Hui’s hearty congee or Phillips’ soothing chicken soup, you can count on these comforting recipes to help combat cold and flu season. So, let’s cherish these culinary treasures that are bound to warm our hearts while keeping sniffles at bay. Stay cozy, Asheville!