EDIBLE D.I.Y

EDIBLE D.I.Y. QUICK FIRE CIDER

Try making this spicy, deeply curative tonic to ward off winter colds

BY MAGALI BRECKE PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIZ BIRNBAUM, THE CURATED FEAST

You know that scary feeling, when you notice that first little tickle in your throat and maybe just the tiniest sniffle? You think, “Oh, hell no, I am NOT getting sick right now.”

Well, you can’t just wish it away. You must, as we say in Chinese medicine, “chase the robber out of the house,” meaning flush out the bacteria or virus trying to invade your tissues.

One way is to make yourself sweat, from the inside out. Plus a nice dose of anti-microbial garlic doesn’t hurt either. This is my version of the classic fire cider, that can be made in a flash when that tickle comes to visit.

Magali Brecke is co-founder of Kitchen Witch Bone Broth. She’s also a writer, teacher and learner about food as medi- cine. A downloadable infusion e-booklet that includes this Quick Fire Cider recipe and other health promoting tonics is available free-of-charge on the Kitchen Witch website, along with several other recipe ebooks you will love for the colder months ahead.

Quick Fire Cider

2 lemons, peeled and juiced 2 to 3-inch piece of ginger, grated or minced 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 small clove garlic, grated 1-inch piece of turmeric, grated, or ¼ teaspoon dried 10 ounces water Honey, to taste (optional)

In a small pot, simmer the lemon peel, ginger, fresh turmeric (if using) and water for 10 minutes.

Strain, then add all the remaining ingredients, including the juice of the two lemons. Shake well if using dried turmeric.

This won’t be the smoothest drink for some folks, but remember this is a hot toddy with a purpose. If needed, allow to cool to just warm or room temperature, then chug until it’s gone, drinking down all the chunky bits of garlic. I promise, you’ll thank me later.

Repeat as needed while kicking any seasonal bug.