Do you remember Dadima’s ‘Kadha’ to fight off cold, cough, sore throat and fever? This potent drink made of mixed herbs always worked wonders! There are so many more ancient recipes with ingredients that are easily available in your pantry and can be whipped up in a jiffy. These recipes are power-packed with essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals and help boost your immune system.

Here are some such quick recipes, straight out of Grandma’s kitchen, that are full of healing powers and are super yummy:

Turmeric Milk: This drink is often called ‘Golden Milk’ because of its bright, beautiful yellow colour because of Turmeric or Haldi. Curcumin, an active ingredient in Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant that boosts your immunity immensely. Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients

1 cup milk

½ tsp grated raw turmeric OR ½ tsp of organic turmeric powder

¼ tsp ground pepper

¼ tsp cinnamon powder

1 tsp jaggery or sugar (optional)

This recipe serves 1 person

Method

Heat the milk in a saucepan. Mix in the other ingredients. Bring this mixture to a boil. Simmer for 2 mins. Serve the milk while it’s still hot!

If you are vegan, you can make this recipe by swapping milk with plain water. Just add a teaspoon of coconut oil and your Turmeric Tea is good to go!

Note: Pepper and coconut oil (or any other type of fat) helps in absorption of curcumin- so don’t miss adding it!

Vegan Immunity Soup: This soup is packed with fresh veggies and Indian Gooseberry (Amla) which is a powerhouse of Vitamin C. If you are not big on eating your daily portion of veggies, this is the best way of meeting your nutritional requirements and enhancing your natural immunity. Just a cup a day is enough to keep the doctor away!

Ingredients

2 Indian gooseberries (Amla)

½ chopped broccoli or cauliflower

1 chopped capsicum

1 chopped carrot

½ chopped radish

1 cup chopped spinach

2 small chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp raw grated turmeric OR ½ tsp turmeric powder

2 tbsp flax/alsi seeds powder

2 cups of water

Salt and pepper to taste

This recipe serves 4 people

Method:

Add all the ingredients to a pressure cooker. Cook it on high flame till you get a whistle. Simmer on low flame for another 2 mins. Switch off the flame and let the pressure release.

Once the lid is off, mash the veggies. Strain the soup and keep the fibre aside. Serve hot!

Note: The veggie fibre can be used for another round of soup, just add some water, boil and voila! Veggie soup is ready!

Paya Soup/Bone Broth: Non-vegetarians absolutely love this soup. It is hearty, packs a punch and beats away the blues. Paya Soup is a staple in many Indian households. It is recommended for maintaining good gut health and strengthening the immune system. Plus, if you want that super glowy, hydrated skin- this is how you get it naturally!

Ingredients:

250 gms Paya or goat trotters

1 medium onion chopped

1 tbsp chopped ginger

1 tbsp chopped garlic

1 green chilli – chopped

1/3 tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp chopped coriander

½ tsp salt

1 tbsp ghee

4 cups water

Whole Spices

5 whole black peppers

1 bay leaf

1 inch cinnamon stick

2 green cardamom pods

1 black cardamom

5 black cloves

This recipe serves 2 people

Method

Add ghee in a pressure cooker. Add the whole spices and cook for 1 min.

Then add the ginger, garlic, onions and fry them till they soften.

Add the Paya followed by turmeric and salt. Fry for 2 mins. Add water and pressure cook on high flame till the first whistle.

Then simmer and cook for another 35 mins. Take the cooker off the heat and let the pressure release.

Strain the soup, separate the Paya pieces. Add coriander leaves to garnish. Add the Paya in the soup before serving.

This recipe is simple, easy, has fresh ingredients and is delicious!

Instant Rasam: Rasam is a favourite in South Indian homes, especially when the flu comes knocking. The blend of spices and tamarind makes Rasam rich in Vit C, which boosts your immunity and helps your body repair and recover faster. Actually, the aroma is enough for us to drink this super tangy and tasty dish any day!

Ingredients:

2 tbsp oil

1 tsp mustard seeds

2 dried red chillies

1 sprig of curry leaves

Pinch of hing/asafoetida

1 chopped tomato

1 spilt green chilli

1 cup tamarind extract

3 cups of water

¼ tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

Salt to taste

Ingredients for Masala

1 tbsp jeera

1 tbsp whole pepper

3 cloves of garlic

1tbsp coriander stems

This recipe serves 2 people

Method

Blend the masala ingredients and keep them aside.

Heat oil in a pan. Splutter mustard seeds, dried chillies, curry leaves and hing.

Add the masala paste and sauté for a minute.

Next, add tomatoes, turmeric, salt and chilli till it becomes mushy.

Add tamarind extract and water. Stir well and boil for 8-10 mins.

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot! Your tangy, spicy Rasam is ready!

Homemade Badam Milk: Almonds are an excellent source of Vit E which is high in antioxidants. It is essential for the good health of your eyes, hair and for supporting your immune system. And truthfully, this mixture reminds us of a good old bowl of ‘falooda’, so we’ll take it any day!

Ingredients for Badam/Almond Powder Mix

½ cup roasted, crispy almonds

2 cardamom pods

½ tsp saffron

¼ tsp turmeric powder

½ cup of milk powder

Method

To make the almond powder mix, blend roasted almonds, 2 cardamom pods and a pinch of saffron. Transfer this into a bowl.

To this mixture add milk powder, turmeric powder and saffron. Mix well and store in an airtight container.

Whenever you are in the mood for a tasty and healthy cup of deliciousness, add 1 tbsp of this Almond/ Badam Powder mix to a cup of boiling milk, simmer for 2 mins and enjoy it hot!

Dates & Mulethi Laddoo: Mulethi or liquorice is great for curing cold, cough, sore throat and helps in boosting your immunity. Dates are rich in iron and other nutrients in addition to being the perfect sweetener. If you wish to boost your immunity and keep your sugar cravings in check-this is the perfect recipe for you!

Ingredients

½ cup pitted and chopped dates- blended to a coarse paste

1 tsp mulethi/liquorice powder

1/4th cup dry roasted fine rava/sooji/semolina

1 tbsp raisins

1 tbsp ghee

This recipe yields 12 small Laddoos

Method

Heat ghee in a pan. Add the dates and sauté for 3 mins.

Add the raisins and liquorice powder. In the end, add the roasted rava and mix well. Switch off the heat.

Allow this mixture to cool down. Shape them into laddoos. They are now ready to eat!

Ladies, fasten your aprons and hit the kitchen to try these simple, delicious, immunity-boosting recipes. Share them with your friends and family as well!

Stay healthy, stay safe.