I realized with some dismay that if I contract the coronavirus and get sick, I will be doomed to eat canned chicken soup. I bought those red and white cans in abundance thinking I was wisely preparing for the worst. I see now that a daily diet of salty, flavorless chicken soup could be worse than the virus itself. Furthermore, wouldn’t a sassy, spicy soup be more effective at chasing away the bug? Yes! So, I vowed to create my own recipe and put some in the freezer. Besides ensuring me some culinary comfort if I do become bed-bound, it would give me something to do right now besides whining about being so isolated all the time.

In my quest for the perfect Covid-19 soup, I searched recipes online using the terms, “exotic chicken soup. So many ideas!! I was most attracted to the spicy Thai versions, and I added several ingredients to a shopping list. Then, I put on my Hazmat suit and headed to the store. Thankfully, I survived being trampled by the hordes of people running to the TP aisle.

Back at home, I created my favorite chicken soup yet. I hope you try it and that it brings you comfort when needed.

Note: this recipe yields only about a quart of soup, just right for a single person. Feel free to double. You will have plenty of ingredients on hand.

Jane’s Covid-19 Thai Chicken Soup

1 rotisserie chicken
3 cups unsalted broth made from the chicken carcass

Cooking spray
3/4 c diced leek (or onion)
1 c sliced mushrooms
2 handfuls spinach

1/2 can coconut milk (freeze the rest)
1/4 cup Thai sauce (on the bare shelves, all I could find is Thai Wing Sauce. It was magnificent and added a golden hue to the broth. Also note, this sauce is quite salty so I made sure to use the unsalted broth. If you buy broth, find something low-sodium. If you like really spicy, add another tablespoon of the sauce)

Lime juice
Sesame seed

Directions

• Pick the meat off the chicken, set aside
• Simmer the carcass in water for about 15 mins. Allow to cool, then pour through a strainer.
• In a small soup pot, add cooking spray and saute leeks for 5 mins. Add mushrooms and saute for several more minutes.
• Add coconut milk, chicken broth, and Thai sauce. Toss in spinach and simmer until it is wilted.
• Stir in 1 1/2 cups diced rotisserie chicken and simmer a minute or so more.
• Ladle into bowls, drizzle lime juice on top and add sesame seed.

This is darn good and may even help you resist the virus. Stay healthy in the meantime!