Potent Potato Soup

1 generous serving | 50 minutes

This is my version of “chicken soup” and the yogi’s go-to recipe for fighting off a cold or flu. Feel free to add other vegetables as desired such as chopped mustard greens, chard, celery, cauliflower, and peas. I suggest you cut the lemon in wedges so those who prefer may easily avoid or remove them from their soup bowl. Otherwise, cut the lemon half into thin slices; this is a more palatable size to bite into. The cooked lemon peel is quite a tasty surprise.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds potatoes, cut in large bite-size pieces (any variety will do)
  • ½ cup ghee or oil
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • ¼ cup minced fresh ginger (or more to taste)
  • 10 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ lemon, deseeded and cut into 2 or 3 wedges
  • 2 teaspoons turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cardamom seeds (seeds from 6-8 pods)
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red chilies
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 quarts water
  • Tamari soy sauce to taste

Intructions

  1. Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed soup pot over a medium-high flame.
  2. Add onions, garlic, and ginger, and saute until browned (8-10 minutes), stirring often.
  3. Now add lemon and spices and saute for another 3-5 minutes, adding small amounts of water if necessary to prevent scorching.
  4. Add 2 quarts of water and bring to a boil.
  5. Add potatoes, return to a boil, and simmer until potatoes are very well done (20-30 minutes).
  6. Add tamari soy sauce to taste.

Notes