Regenerate and repair broth

Onion and Shallot Nourishing Broth.

We all need this especially me! I spent December eating all sorts of things my body hasn’t been able to cope with since before my spider bite. I allowed myself to enjoy and indulge every surgery treat every drop of wine, sliver of cheese and every processed biscuit because it was fun and a little bit of what you fancy is so good for your emotional health!

I know when my body starts screaming 'That is enough!' and how to repair the damage. Today is that day. I am really feeling it. Arthritis, bolting, dehydrated skin, ovary pain, brain fog, tiered limbs, low motivation. So time to put my regenerative well-being plan into action before it gets too bad to rescue.

Eating sugar and processed foods , viruses, alcohol and high levels of stress and excitement course stress to the gut wall and can cause it to deteriorate. The gut wall is the most important organ in your body it is responsible for your immune system. So it’s super important to repair and regenerate this after the frivolous frolicking of the festive season.

The most effective way to do this is with bone broth (for vegans and vegetarians you can drink mushroom and veggie broth but it is not as effective because the body needs good fat to repair and we get this from the connective tissue in the bones but I will post a really nourishing recipe for you next week I promise) If you want to read more about the benefits of Bone Broth you can here.

Onion and shallot Nourishing Broth - feeds two people.

This is my favourite recipe for repair my signature full of love onion soup. Today made with 1/2 onions and 1/2 shallots for extra nourishing power and pickled fennel seeds delicious!

Shallots belong to the Allium family of plants, which also includes onions, chives, garlic, and leeks they contain antioxidants and compounds that fight inflammation. They contain more antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, weight for weight than onions. A rich source of vitamin A they also contain B6, folate, thiamine and vitamin C. So much 'Goodness for Wellness!'

Ingredients:

1 litre of good quality homemade bone broth or vegan broth. (Find Jolly Allotments Bone Broth Recipe is here)

3 onions - very thinly sliced

6 shallots - very thinly sliced

1 tsp good quality gluten free dijon mustard

1 tsp thyme dried or fresh

1 tsp oregano dried or fresh

1 x crushed garlic clove

1x tbs of good quality Maple Syrup

2 x table spoons of good olive oil or real organic or regenerative butter

Salt and Black pepper to season

Method

In a heavy bottomed, if possible, cast iron pan. Gently fry the thinly sliced onions and shallots in the olive oil or butter over a medium heat adding a sprinkle of salt for 10 minutes.

Add the oregano and thyme and the maple syrup turn down the heat a little and allow the onions to gently cook so they begin to caramelise and create their own juice.

Keep giving them a stir and continue to gently cook for 20 to 30 minutes. I put the lid on the pan to keep all the juices in to get the most moisture, flavour and goodness from the onions. 

Keep a close eye slow steady cooking so they do not burn. 

Add the bone or vegan broth and the mustard, bring to the boil and simmer. Again the slow long cooking brings out more flavour but if you don't have time ten or twenty minutes is perfectly sufficient. 

To serve

Poor the hot broth into a bowl sprinkle with  fennel seeds pickled or toasted.

Serve hot and enjoy!

Thank you for reading the Jolly Journal - I really appreciate your interest and hope it's of value to you. I am dyslexic and for years this stopped me writing because of the fear of getting it wrong. Now I am embracing my fear so I appreciate your understanding if you see a mistake I have missed. Thank you! - Polly x

Photography by Polly A Baldwin , Ceri Oakes and Nat Aubry Photography 

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