Monsoon in Bangladesh makes the nature greener, fruitful, and luscious. However, while commuting amid rains, many people suffer from cold and flu. To prevent such illnesses, it is essential to strengthen the immune system. Homemade delicious remedies, rich in natural ingredients, can be both comforting and effective in fighting off flu symptoms. Here are ten mouthwatering recipes, to keep your immunity strong and spirits high.

10 Homemade Savoury Flu-fighting Recipes for This Monsoon 

Ginger-Lemon Honey Tea

Ingredients

4 cups water, ¾ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup grated ginger root, 3 tea bags, 2 lemons (juiced), and 3 tablespoons honey.

Instructions

First, combine water, brown sugar, and grated ginger root in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, lower the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 20 minutes.

Next, remove the saucepan from heat, add tea bags, and steep for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your preferred strength. Discard the tea bags, then stir in lemon juice and honey. Finally, strain the mixture into a pitcher before serving.

Chicken Soup

Ingredients

1–2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 large onion (diced), 1 cup celery (chopped), 2 tablespoons fresh ginger (chopped), 4–8 garlic cloves (roughly chopped), 700 grams chicken thighs or breasts (boneless, skinless), 4 cups chicken broth or stock, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, 2 bay leaves, lemon juice to taste, pinch chilli flakes, scallions, cilantro, and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil (optional, tasty)

Instructions

First, heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, garlic, and ginger, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Lower the heat to medium-low and continue sautéing until golden, about 3-4 more minutes.

Next, add chicken stock, water, salt, white pepper, bay leaves, and skinless chicken, bringing the mixture to a boil. Cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes, adjusting cooking time for different cuts of chicken. Test for doneness by pulling the meat apart with two forks; it should be tender and opaque.

Then, shred the chicken, return it to the pot, and simmer for 5 more minutes. Adjust the broth with lemon juice and salt, and serve over rice or noodles, garnished with scallions, cilantro, and chilli flakes.

Turmeric and Ginger Latte

Ingredients

1 cup non-dairy milk, 1 teaspoon organic ground turmeric powder, ½ -1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger, 1 teaspoon honey, and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Instructions

First, heat the milk in a pot, stirring until it comes to a boil. Add all the ingredients, then reduce the heat to a simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Now, strain the mixture through a small sieve and pour it into a mug. Serve warm and enjoy this golden beverage!

Vegetable Khichuri

Ingredients

Rice: 2 cups pulao rice, 1 cup masoor dal, 2 teaspoons ginger paste, ½ teaspoon garlic paste, ½ teaspoon ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon whole cumin, 2 bay leaves, ½ cup chopped onion, 4 to 5 green chillies, 1½ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup oil, and 2 tablespoons ghee.

Vegetable: 1 cup cauliflower pieces, 1 cup potato pieces, ½ cup beans, ½ cup sliced carrots, and ½ cup sweet peas.

Instructions

First, begin by mixing all the vegetables, except the sweet peas, with a dash of salt and lightly frying them in about 2 tablespoons of oil. Set aside. Rinse the rice and dal together, then drain the water.

Next, combine them with ginger, garlic, turmeric, bay leaves, and 5 to 6 cups of warm water with salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture begins to boil, add the fried vegetables, sweet peas, and green chilli. Cover and reduce the heat to low.

Then, after 3 to 4 minutes, stir again and keep covered. Once the water has evaporated, set the pot aside over very low heat. In a separate pan, heat oil and brown the onions and cumin. Mix them into the rice gently, cover, and turn off the heat after a couple of minutes. Finally, stir in the ghee before serving hot. This wholesome, easy-to-digest meal is perfect during sickness.

Beef and Veggie Stir-Fry

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 450 grams beef (cut into 2-inch strips), 1 ½ cups fresh broccoli florets, 1 red bell pepper (cut into matchsticks), 2 carrots (thinly sliced), 1 green onion (chopped), 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (toasted).

Instructions

First, gather all the ingredients. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, and cook the beef until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes. Push the beef to one side of the pan, then add broccoli, bell pepper, carrots, green onion, and garlic to the centre.

Now, cook and stir the vegetables for 2 minutes. Combine the beef with the vegetables and season with soy sauce and sesame seeds. Continue cooking and stirring until the vegetables are tender, about 2 more minutes. Serve hot and enjoy!

Pomelo Salad, Almond and Banana Smoothie, Sweet Potato Fries, Creamy Honey Oats, and Strawberry Mango Juice

Pomelo Salad

Ingredients

1 pomelo, 1 green chilli (finely chopped), ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves, ¼ cup chopped red onion, 1 ½ teaspoon sugar (add more if the Pomelo tastes too tart), and 1 teaspoon salt.

Instructions

First, remove the outer layer and then carefully peel away the inner skin to extract the pulps in chunks. Depending on your preference, you can either keep some pulps in larger chunks or break them into smaller bites.

Once the pomelo pulp is ready, add the remaining ingredients and gently mix them by hand. You can enjoy the salad immediately, or let it sit for a while to allow the salt and sugar to enhance the flavours, making the salad even tastier. Then, it is ready to savour.

Almond and Banana Smoothie

Ingredients

1 banana, 1 teaspoon almond butter, 2 heaped tablespoon oats, and 200 ml milk.

Instructions

First, place the banana, almond butter, oats, and milk into a blender, and blend until smooth. If you prefer to serve the smoothie warm, pour it into a microwave-safe dish, leaving some extra space at the top to allow for expansion during heating. Then, cover the dish and microwave on high for 1 minute. Carefully stir the smoothie after heating, and then serve.

Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients

1 kg sweet potatoes (peeled), 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.

Instructions

First, preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut the sweet potatoes into sticks, about ¼ to ½ inch wide and 3 inches long, then toss them with oil. In a small bowl, mix the spices, salt, and pepper, and toss the mixture with the sweet potatoes.

Then, spread the seasoned sweet potatoes on two rimmed baking sheets. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the bottoms are brown and crisp. Flip the sweet potatoes and cook for an additional 10 minutes, until the other side is crisp. Serve hot.

Creamy Honey Oats 

Ingredients

¾ cup large flaked oats, 1 ½ cup water, ½ cup milk of choice, 2 tablespoons honey, a tiny pinch of salt, and a dash of cinnamon.

Instructions

First, add oats, water, salt, and cinnamon to a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until most of the water is absorbed. Stir in the milk and honey, and continue to simmer on low for another 3-5 minutes.

Then, remove the oatmeal from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes to thicken further. Adjust the texture and sweetness to your liking. For a thinner consistency, add more milk; for a thicker texture, let it simmer a bit longer. Enjoy!

Strawberry Mango Juice

Ingredients

2 cups mangoes (peeled and cubed), 2 cups strawberries (remove stems), 1 ½ – 2 cups water (as required), lemon juice or sugar (if the juice is too sweet, add lemon juice and if it is not sweet enough add honey)

Instructions

First, add the fruit to a blender and pour in the water. Blend until smooth. Then, serve the mango juice immediately.

Final Words

Like other seasons, monsoon in Bangladesh appears with its own beauty. We can fight flu during the monsoon with delightful homemade meals. These recipes use familiar ingredients to boost your immunity and keep you healthy. Enjoy these comforting dishes and drinks, and stay flu-free this season.