Ginger and Stars Feel Better Soup

For when the school sickness hits (again and again...and again)

This year, we got off to a strong start with a sick day the FIRST week of school, and the hits just keep coming. Usually in these instances, appetites aren’t very strong, and my primary focus is fluid intake. But soups are a great way to do both. Of course, there’s a classic chicken soup, however I love the idea of a veggie packed, gingery soup with a kid-friendly pasta shape for them to sip on during the tough sick days. I make sure I simmer a long time, so all the veggies are nice and soft, and the pasta and parsley tie it all together at the end.

I hope this soup comforts you if you are in the throes of school sickness, too!

Ingredients
4 large carrots, small dice
4 celery stalks, small dice
1 yellow onion, small dice
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 leeks, washed and diced
2 T ginger, diced or micro-planed
2 T olive oil
1 small bunch parsley, chopped
1.5 tsp kosher salt
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 cup GF star pasta (if you can’t find this, another small GF pasta, or quinoa, or rice will do!)
*We like this as a quick simple veggie soup, however feel free to add any protein you like, especially shredded chicken

Instructions
Prep and chop all your veggies. Pour 2 T olive oil in a large stockpot and sauté 4 carrots, 4 celery stalks, 1 yellow onion, 4 garlic cloves, and 2 leeks. Once onions are translucent and veggies begin to soften, 5-7 minutes, micro-plane in 2 T ginger (*it would also be very quick and easy to spoon in some jarred ginger). Fully mix for another couple minutes, then pour in 6 cups broth. Bring to a boil.

Once boiling, turn heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Once all the veggies are cooked and tender, add 1 cup chopped parsley, and 1/2 cup GF star pasta. Sometimes, the pasta can sink and stick to the bottom, so stir your soup frequently! Cook for another 25 minutes, serve, and feel better! Also, this soup is even better the next day, so definitely make enough for leftovers.

*Variations: As delicious and comforting as this soup is, I realize some kids may not want a veggie packed soup. So, feel free to add any favorite protein, blend to change the texture and/or make the veggies invisible, or add a nice heap of grated cheese on top! A squeeze of lemon would also be delicious.

What are your most comforting sick day meals?