Friday, September 23, 2011

Use Clear Broth

Clear broth is used to make soup and is prescribed by doctors before certain medical procedures.


Grandma may have recommended her special chicken soup when you were feeling under the weather. You might find your doctor prescribing a clear liquid diet if you have the flu or other digestive problems, are undergoing surgery or are post-op. And, you probably use clear broth as a base for some of the soups you make at home. As well as having a mild taste, clear broth hydrates your body and adds potassium and salt to your system. It will not sustain you for long, however. Most doctors recommend remaining on clear liquids for only a few days at a time.


Instructions


Clear Liquid Diet


1. Drink clear broth as part of a clear liquid diet. Doctors may prescribe this type of diet to you if you are getting ready for or have just undergone surgery or if you have digestive problems. Clear liquid diets help to maintain your electrolyte balance and hydration, but do not have enough calories to maintain your body for more than a few days.








2. Follow your doctor's directions regarding the clear liquid diet. In general, such a diet includes one or more of the following at each meal and/or snack: chicken, beef or vegetable broth, water, gelatin, tea or coffee without cream or milk, clear soda, apple juice and other juices without pulp, or popsicles. You can add honey to your tea or coffee, as well.


3. Drink your clear broth as many times a day as you want, so long as your doctor approves. Most of the time, you are allowed unlimited clear liquids; if your doctor doesn't say so explicitly, be sure to ask.


Egg Drop Soup


4. Combine 2 quarts chicken stock, 1 quart water and 3 tbsp. dried green onion or chives. Bring to a boil.


5. Beat the whites of 2 eggs in a separate bowl.


6. Bring the soup to a boil. After the soup is boiling, hold the bowl of egg whites close to the pan. Dip a fork into the egg whites and drop the egg whites into the pan from a height of about 6 inches. This will make the egg whites stringy, as they cook completely when hitting the boiling broth. Serve topped with fresh chives, if desired.


Poblano Pepper Soup


7. Combine 8 poblano peppers, 8 peeled garlic cloves, 4 peeled and quartered yellow onions and 3/4 cup olive oil in a baking dish.


8. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 tsp. of table salt. Mix to coat the vegetables with the oil. Cover. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft. Remove from oven.








9. Cool the pepper mixture slightly. Remove the seeds and stems from the peppers. Add the garlic, onion and pepper mixture to the soup pot.


10. Bring the soup up to a boil again. Chop the broccolli and add to the soup. Add cumin and some of the oil from the pepper-onion-garlic baking dish according to your taste.


11. Bring the soup back up to a boil. Turn the heat down to simmer and cook for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the brocolli is soft. Remove from heat. Puree with an immersion blender. Serve hot.

Tags: your doctor, Bring soup, clear liquid diet, liquid diet, baking dish, Bring soup boil, clear broth